Norfolk State's Adrian has his faster, deeper Spartans in unfamiliar territory

Photo: Norfolk State University Head Football Coach Pete Adrian.

The Virginian-Pilot, Bob Molinaro

Call Pete Adrian the Rainmaker. He's ended the drought at Norfolk State.

Five times in a row, and nine out of 10 years, Hampton University defeated the Spartans, often in relatively routine and gruesome fashion, before Saturday's turn of events.

Surprising? Not especially, Adrian said.

"Now we have guys who can make plays," he said.

Norfolk State made enough plays - just enough - to turn aside its long-time nemesis 20-19, a victory more than any other this season that adds credence to the notion that Adrian, in his third season, is building something solid and real. In the process, Norfolk State beat its first ranked opponent in 19 tries.

"Before, we didn't have guys who could make plays," he said. "Now I think you can see that we do."

The Rainmaker needed playmakers; simple as that. It's a concept that badly eluded Adrian's immediate predecessors on Corprew Avenue.

Adrian has brought in better players and done a good job of coaching those he inherited, which results in greater depth and flexibility, not to mention five victories so far this season. The last time Norfolk State won five games was 2002.

"This year," he said, "we've been able to win the fourth quarter. If we were able to win the fourth quarter last year, we could have been 8-3."

If that sounds a little far fetched, check the facts: Four of Norfolk State's seven losses last season were by nine points or less. Those Spartans lost a lot of fourth quarters.

This team has been stronger at the end because, among other things, Adrian is able to call on reinforcements for his defensive line, rotating seven players so that all are rested enough to give their best effort. The results show: The 16-yard scramble by quarterback T.J. Mitchell that brought Hampton to within an extra-point of tying the game marked the first second-half touchdown surrendered by the Spartans against I-AA opponents.

"You just can't play with 11 guys," Adrian said. "Throughout the game, we probably play 18 on defense."

Photo: r-Sr. QB Casey Hansen, 6-5/235 brings consistency to the Norfolk State offense.

This game turned on a lot of plays - most notably the blocked point after touchdown by Norfolk State's Don Carey, and Hampton's missed 49-yard field goal in the closing seconds - but the Spartans maintained control for most of the second half because of their defensive stance.

"Hampton could not run on us," Adrian said. "We knew they couldn't run the ball, so we were able to bring the heat. As soon as we had them in second-and-9, or second-and-8, we knew they were going to throw and we could bring pressure."

A fierce blitz, coming from several angles, kept Hampton's passing game at bay in this Battle of the Bay, especially near the goal line. The Spartans' defense could dictate play because, Adrian said, "We've just got more speed."

Norfolk State's pressure led to a first-half Spartan safety when Mitchell was called for intentional grounding as he was being hassled in the end zone.

Adrian's defense often felt pressure itself, thanks in large part to Norfolk State's poor special teams play.

"In the old days, with the field position we gave them, they would have scored," said Adrian.

The victory leaves Norfolk State tied for first in the MEAC, a storyline people could only have hallucinated a few weeks ago.

"It's been the Slaughter of the Bay," Adrian said of recent Hampton-Norfolk State eyesores.

But these aren't the bad old days.

The Rainmaker has made sure of that.