Norfolk State Spartans seek to take 'next step'

By VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK - Elated with his team's come-from-behind victory over Bethune-Cookman last Saturday, Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian proudly told anyone who would listen:

"We've never been 1-0 in the MEAC before."

But the Spartans have been 3-1 overall - last year, in fact. And how did NSU deal with the prosperity that great start delivered?

"We lost the next six ball games," Adrian said.


Photo: NSU #5, senior FB Daryl Jones

As Norfolk State (2-1 overall, 1-0 MEAC) prepares to face winless North Carolina A&T in Aggie Stadium at 7:30 tonight, the message is clear: Don't get giddy basking in success. Adrian hasn't had to repeat it again and again.

"The guys know," said running back Daryl Jones, feeling better from the cramps that overcame him en route to his four-touchdown afternoon against the Wildcats. "Even the young guys know."

"You have to have a short memory in football," Adrian said. "We're ready to go to the next step."

As tempting as it might be for Spartans fans to peek past the Aggies - owners of the longest losing streak in football at 20 games - the Spartans know the dangers of overlooking any opponent.

"We were picked to go 1-7 in the MEAC," Adrian reminded. "We respect everybody."

Don't forget, too, that NSU has lost six straight on the road, its last win away from Price Stadium coming Nov. 15, 2005, against Morgan State. Though the Spartans have won two straight over N.C. A&T, they haven't won in Aggie Stadium since they've been in Division I.

But against Bethune-Cookman, NSU showed a resilience lacking in years past, particularly last season, when close games repeatedly slipped away in the fourth quarter. Saturday's game could have easily been more of the same, as the Wildcats led 21-10 at the half and 28-16 in the third quarter.

Photo: NSU senior QB Casey Hansen

But the Spartans rallied thanks to big plays. Terrell Whitehead's 48-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown off a bobbled option play was one. The sophomore came up huge again with an interception near the end of the game that led to the winning score.

"We made the plays when we had to make them," Whitehead said. "We have to remember, just as much as we want to win, they want to end their losing streak."

The Spartans need to continue making big plays tonight as they attempt to keep making history in a game televised on ESPNU.

After all, they've never been 2-0 in the MEAC, either.

Notes: A&T will be playing just days removed from a rivalry game against North Carolina Central that included a bench-clearing brawl that lasted several minutes, with the Aggies claiming the Central players stomped on their logo. The president of the state system that oversees both schools is leaving disciplinary decisions up to each institution. The MEAC also is continuing its investigation. Neither the conference nor the schools has issued any disciplinary action yet..... Though N.C. A&T failed to end its losing streak, it ended another streak against N.C. Central. Before Eric Houston's 27-yard field goal in the third quarter, the Aggies had gone 16 games without making a field goal. N.C. A&T had missed eight straight over 68 quarters.