NSU's Kressen switches to right guard to let Nance stay at center
By VICKI L. FRIEDMAN , The Virginian-Pilot
Even with the return of senior Jason Kressen to Norfolk State's offensive line, Brandon Nance will retain his starting job.
Nance is expected to start at center when the Spartans open the season Saturday at Dick Price Stadium against Virginia State. Kressen, who started at center in 2004 and 2005 but missed last season with a knee injury, has been moved to right guard.
A redshirt junior from Winston-Salem, N.C., Nance started 10 games at center last fall. Kressen was expected to return to the starting center role with Nance his backup, but coach Pete Adrian said the shift makes for a stronger offensive line, particularly given the absence of Jerome Johnson. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound offensive lineman continues to heal after rolling his right foot in practice and is not expected to return before MEAC play begins Sept. 22. Johnson was on crutches at the Spartans' final scrimmage Saturday in their home stadium.
Kressen prefers playing guard, his original position at Nansemond River High. "I played center because that's where they put me here," Kressen said. "I want Brandon on the field. He was behind me in '05, and I felt his talent was a little wasted. Me sitting out last year, I was really confident that he was going to take over my spot. I told him from day one, I want to play next to him, not in front of him."
NCAA rules force ex-Maury Running back to redshirt
Dynamic running back DeAngelo Branche is not eligible under NCAA rules, and Adrian will redshirt the Maury graduate this season.
Branche was the Spartans' leading returning rusher, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and running for 371 yards on 65 attempts last year. Though he is in good academic standing at NSU, he fell one hour short of passing the number of hours to retain his eligibility.
"He's accepted it and he'll be part of our scout team," Adrian said.
Three speedy linebackers give Spartans unusual depth
The Spartans haven't been blessed with depth in the past, but that's a word Adrian has used often lately, particularly when discussing his linebackers. Adrian expects to rotate Hasan Craig, Lamont Thorpe and Phillip Gardner at outside linebacker.
"They're speed guys," Adrian said. "We'll use them in passing situations. We haven't had that type of depth since I've been here or that type of speed. These guys can make a mistake and run it down."
Craig, 6-2, 225, is a true freshman from Rocky Mountain, who recorded 50 solo tackles, 14 for losses, and 12 sacks his senior year at Franklin County High.
Thorpe, 6-3, 235, hails from Varina High in Richmond, and Gardner, a 6-3, 237-pound Bethel High grad, walked on during spring practice.
By VICKI L. FRIEDMAN , The Virginian-Pilot
Even with the return of senior Jason Kressen to Norfolk State's offensive line, Brandon Nance will retain his starting job.
Nance is expected to start at center when the Spartans open the season Saturday at Dick Price Stadium against Virginia State. Kressen, who started at center in 2004 and 2005 but missed last season with a knee injury, has been moved to right guard.
A redshirt junior from Winston-Salem, N.C., Nance started 10 games at center last fall. Kressen was expected to return to the starting center role with Nance his backup, but coach Pete Adrian said the shift makes for a stronger offensive line, particularly given the absence of Jerome Johnson. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound offensive lineman continues to heal after rolling his right foot in practice and is not expected to return before MEAC play begins Sept. 22. Johnson was on crutches at the Spartans' final scrimmage Saturday in their home stadium.
Kressen prefers playing guard, his original position at Nansemond River High. "I played center because that's where they put me here," Kressen said. "I want Brandon on the field. He was behind me in '05, and I felt his talent was a little wasted. Me sitting out last year, I was really confident that he was going to take over my spot. I told him from day one, I want to play next to him, not in front of him."
NCAA rules force ex-Maury Running back to redshirt
Dynamic running back DeAngelo Branche is not eligible under NCAA rules, and Adrian will redshirt the Maury graduate this season.
Branche was the Spartans' leading returning rusher, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and running for 371 yards on 65 attempts last year. Though he is in good academic standing at NSU, he fell one hour short of passing the number of hours to retain his eligibility.
"He's accepted it and he'll be part of our scout team," Adrian said.
Three speedy linebackers give Spartans unusual depth
The Spartans haven't been blessed with depth in the past, but that's a word Adrian has used often lately, particularly when discussing his linebackers. Adrian expects to rotate Hasan Craig, Lamont Thorpe and Phillip Gardner at outside linebacker.
"They're speed guys," Adrian said. "We'll use them in passing situations. We haven't had that type of depth since I've been here or that type of speed. These guys can make a mistake and run it down."
Craig, 6-2, 225, is a true freshman from Rocky Mountain, who recorded 50 solo tackles, 14 for losses, and 12 sacks his senior year at Franklin County High.
Thorpe, 6-3, 235, hails from Varina High in Richmond, and Gardner, a 6-3, 237-pound Bethel High grad, walked on during spring practice.
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