NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State football coach Pete Adrian said he has agreed to terms on a contract that will keep him coaching the Spartans through the 2013 season.
Adrian, who was heading into the final year of a five-year contract, said Wednesday that he and NSU athletic director Marty Miller have agreed on the structure for a two-year extension. Miller said the contract is in the university's review process.
"I'll be around here for a while longer," Adrian said. "I've agreed to it. President (Tony Atwater) has agreed to it. It's in the works. I can sign it tomorrow, next week. It'll happen whenever it comes back, probably September."
Miller said he did not want to go into details until ...
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Showing posts with label Coach Pete Adrian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coach Pete Adrian. Show all posts
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
NSU: Boyce starting at WR, special teams a strength
Norfolk, VA - When Norfolk State wide receiver Xavier Boyce isn’t sure of his route, or his role, in a certain play he’ll look to his wide receivers coach or offensive coordinator, shrug his shoulders and hold out his hands.
Fortunately for the Spartans, that’s happening less and less often.
“I pretty much have most of it,” Boyce said. “There’s still little kinks that I have to work on. The more I practice, the more I work on it, the more it’s going to come.”
So infrequently, in fact, that NSU bumped Boyce into its most important wide receiver position, the starter at the “X” position, which traditionally leads a Joe Blackwell offense in catches.
“He and Reggie are out there right now,” Adrian said. “I think as it develops you’ll see ...
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Fortunately for the Spartans, that’s happening less and less often.
“I pretty much have most of it,” Boyce said. “There’s still little kinks that I have to work on. The more I practice, the more I work on it, the more it’s going to come.”
So infrequently, in fact, that NSU bumped Boyce into its most important wide receiver position, the starter at the “X” position, which traditionally leads a Joe Blackwell offense in catches.
“He and Reggie are out there right now,” Adrian said. “I think as it develops you’ll see ...
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Friday, August 12, 2011
Norfolk State 2011 preview
Norfolk, VA - Head coach Pete Adrian begins his 7th season leading the green and gold. He has 14 starters returning from a team that was 6 and 5 overall and 4 and 4 last season in the MEAC. The biggest concern for the Spartans is depth along the offensive line.
Starting quarterback Chris Walley returns for his senior season. Last year Wally threw for 10 touchdowns and was picked off eight times.
Starting quarterback Chris Walley returns for his senior season. Last year Wally threw for 10 touchdowns and was picked off eight times.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
WVU to take on Norfolk State in second game of 2011 season
Morgantown, WV -- When West Virginia takes on Norfolk State on Sept. 10 in Milan Puskar Stadium, it will likely be the Mountaineers' least important game of the season. It could be Norfolk State's biggest game, though. The Spartans have one game against a higher-division foe, and that's West Virginia.
The Mountaineers won't start with a lower-division opponent for the first time since the 2007 season, when they faced Western Michigan (The Mountaineers haven't faced a team from an automatic qualifier conference since 2005, when they faced Syracuse).
The biggest question isn't whether WVU will overlook Norfolk State when the two teams get together. The question will be, however, if the Mountaineers do overlook the Spartans, will it matter?
Norfolk State went 6-5 last year ...
Videographer: nsuathletics; Big East 2010 Game: NSU at. Rutgers Highlights.
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The Mountaineers won't start with a lower-division opponent for the first time since the 2007 season, when they faced Western Michigan (The Mountaineers haven't faced a team from an automatic qualifier conference since 2005, when they faced Syracuse).
The biggest question isn't whether WVU will overlook Norfolk State when the two teams get together. The question will be, however, if the Mountaineers do overlook the Spartans, will it matter?
Norfolk State went 6-5 last year ...
Videographer: nsuathletics; Big East 2010 Game: NSU at. Rutgers Highlights.
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011
NSU to alternate two QBs to start season
Norfolk State's Chris Walley endured an up-and-down first season. During his second year, the NSU quarterback will be up and down in the lineup.After watching transfer Nico Flores through three weeks of spring practice, Spartans coach Pete Adrian said he expects to play both quarterbacks during the first four games of the season. That stretch will serve as something of an elongated warm-up to the meat of the MEAC schedule. It includes a game against West Virginia, other non-conference games against Virginia State and Charleston Southern and the conference opener against lightly regarded Howard.
"We'll use two quarterbacks," Adrian said. "Walley ran the ball well and Nico threw the ball well this spring. We'll see how it goes in the first part of the season. If it works out well, they won't have a problem with it. They just want to go out and win."
Norfolk State's offensive line still a work in progress
After concluding three weeks of spring practice, Norfolk State is set on four of its five starting offensive linemen. But the group will still face plenty of questions next fall.
"Obviously, that whole group is going to need game experience," coach Pete Adrian said. "Until you start playing, you don't really know what you have."
Kendall Noble, the only returning starter, will begin the year at left tackle, while Michael Kay, who got significant playing time last season, will start at center. Blake Matthews and Kenneth Johnson took hold at left and right guard, respectively. Still to be decided is who will play right tackle. Adrian said three or four players are in the mix.
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Friday, April 1, 2011
Five keys for NSU football team this season
The way Norfolk State's football schedule has worked out the past three years, the team has built hope heading into the next season thanks to late runs against the bottom of the MEAC.The Spartans are looking to show the strides made under new offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell are legit - and not the product of inferior competition - and that they're ready to join the upper level of the conference.
Doing that will require the team to answer five questions as Norfolk State heads into the start of spring practice today.
Who will the new hogs be?
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State’s 2011 spring football practice is scheduled to get underway Friday with a late afternoon session at the NSU practice field.
The Spartans are slated to spread their 15 practices over a three-week period. There will not be a typical spring football game, but rather several smaller intrasquad scrimmages throughout spring practice.
NSU is scheduled to return 14 starters off of last fall’s 6-5 team which became the first team in the program’s Division I history to record back-to-back winning seasons. Included among the returnees are quarterback Chris Walley, who completed an NSU single-season record 61.1 percent of his passes last year; and the top five tacklers off the Division I Football Championship Subdivision’s No. 6 defense, led by linebacker Corwin Hammond (76 tackles, 11 TFL) and nose guard Josh Turner (46 tackles, 12 TFL).
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Coach Adrian and Norfolk State Announces 11-Member Football Recruiting Class
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| NSU Spartans Coach Pete Adrian |
“We’re extremely pleased with this group of recruits,” Adrian said. “Our main goal was to increase our team speed offensively, and we feel we have definitely accomplished that.”
All 11 newcomers could potentially wind up on the offensive side of the ball at NSU, though several played on both sides of the ball at their previous institutions. The Spartans added four linemen, three quarterbacks, two wide receivers, one tight end and one running back. Two previously attended junior colleges, one is a Division I FBS transfer, and eight are high school recruits.
2011 NSU Football Recruits (as of Feb. 2)
Shaun Corbett, WR, 5-11, 160, Miami, Fla./Varela HS
Notes: A first-team All-Dade County 6A selection as a senior…caught 42 passes for 754 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior…averaged 18 yards per catch…played in the Dade vs. Broward and the Miami North/South all-star game…one of six finalists for city Player of the Year.
%Nico Flores, QB, 6-2, 210, Miami, Fla./UCF/North Miami Beach HS
Notes: Redshirted the 2009 season at UCF before playing primarily as the Knights’ “wildcat” quarterback in 2010, rushing six times for 48 yards…enrolled at NSU for the spring semester…has three years of eligibility remaining…was a two-time All-Dade County pick for North Miami Beach and was an all-state selection as a junior…rated a three-star recruit by both Rivals.Com and Scout.Com…rated the No. 31 high school QB in the country according to Rivals…completed 135-of-210 passes (64 percent) for 1,517 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior.
Ramsey Henderson, OL, 6-4, 305, Washington, D.C./HD Woodson HS
Notes: Named to the All-Metro team by the Washington Pigskin Club…rated a two-star prospect according to Rivals.Com…also had offers from Delaware State and Howard and interest from Morgan State.
James Lynch, TE, 6-3, 220, Darby, Pa./West Philadelphia Catholic HS
Notes: First-team Pennsylvania Sportswriters Class AA all-state selection…also first-team All-City and All-Catholic League…helped the Burrs to a 13-2 record and the state AA championship…played both tight end and defensive end for West Catholic…defensively, recorded 90 tackles, 29 for loss, and 9.5 sacks as a senior…also forced and recovered two fumbles…had scholarship offers from Stony Brook and Monmouth and was recruited by Villanova and Temple.
Randy Maynes, RB, 5-9, 185, Miami, Fla./West Hills College (Calif.)/North Miami Beach HS
Notes: Ran 143 times for 750 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore at West Hills…rushed for 747 yards and seven TDs as a freshman, earning All-Valley Conference honors…was an honorable mention All-Dade County pick as a senior along with former NMBHS teammates and fellow Spartans Ricardo Volcin and Nico Flores.
Brendon Riddick, QB, 6-0, 195, Richmond, Va./Hermitage HS
Notes: Two-time Colonial District Offensive Player of the Year…also named the Central Region and Richmond Times-Dispatch Metro Player of the Year as a senior…rushed for 1,281 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior while passing for 1,446 yards and 21 scores…led Hermitage to a 13-1 record, the district and regional titles, and a berth in the state Group AAA championship game…first-team all-district, all-region and All-Metro…second-team all-state Group AAA…grandfather Cladwell was an NSU alum and long-time University employee.
George Riddick, OL, 6-3, 285, Suffolk, Va./King’s Fork HS
Notes: Second-team All-Southeastern District selection…also had an offer from Morgan State and interest from Towson, Richmond and Old Dominion.
Wilonte’ Roscoe, QB, 6-0, 175, Portsmouth, Va./Churchland HS
Notes: Honorable mention All-Eastern District pick…passed for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 600 yards and six scores…threw just two interceptions all season…team MVP. He is also an honors student.
DeAndre Sangster, WR, 6-1, 175, Dumfries, Va./CD Hylton HS
Notes: Caught 35 passes for 720 yards and nine touchdowns…also returned a kickoff for touchdown…first-team All-Cardinal District and News & Messenger all-area pick…second-team All-Northwest Region and honorable mention Washington Post All-Met.
William Waters-Shorter, OL/DL, 6-4, 295, Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield HS
Notes: First-team All-Southeastern District…second-team All-Tidewater pick by The Virginian-Pilot.
%DeAnte Williams, OL/DL, 6-3, 275, Hyattsville, Md./St. Johns College HS
Notes: Honorable mention all-conference selection…two-way starter on both sides of the line…originally signed with NSU last February, but did not enroll for the fall session…enrolled at NSU for the spring semester of 2011 after attending Prince George Community College in the fall of 2010 but did not play there.
% Mid-year tranfer
CLICK HIGHTLIGHT TO VIEW PLAYER'S VIDEO
By Matt Michalec, SID, Norfolk State University Office of Sports Information.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Norfolk State Releases 2011 Football Schedule
Norfolk State University released its 2011 football schedule on Tuesday. Highlighting the slate are six home games, including the return of the Labor Day Classic, and a road game at Big East power West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 Big East).The Spartans open the season on Sept. 3 against Virginia State (8-2, 7-1 CIAA) at Dick Price Stadium. After the Spartans played VSU in their third game of the season in 2010, the game returns to Labor Day weekend for the next four years.
"Having Virginia State back on Labor Day weekend is a great way to kick off the season," head coach Pete Adrian said. The VSU Trojans won the Division II, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Eastern Division championship in 2010.
The following week, the Spartans trek to Morgantown, W.Va., to face West Virginia University. It will be the Spartans' fourth-ever game against a Division I FBS opponent, and third against a Big East team after facing Rutgers in 2007 and 2010. WVU is currently 9-3 and was Big East Conference co-champion with Connecticut and Pittsburgh.
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| Coach Pete Adrian's Spartans will play at West Virginia |
The Spartans open MEAC play at Howard University (1-10, 0-8 MEAC) on Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C.
NSU's third and final non-conference game of the season will come on Sept. 24 against FCS foe Charleston Southern (3-8, 1-5 Big South)at Dick Price Stadium. The teams have never met.
"Playing Charleston Southern will be a good test for us, and a nice non-conference game to add to our league's schedule for next season," Adrian said.
The Spartans' final seven games of the year will be against conference opposition. With the addition of North Carolina Central and Savannah State to the MEAC for 2011, MEAC teams will no longer play every conference opponent each season. NSU will not face NCCU (3-8) and 2010 MEAC Co-Champion Florida A&M (8-3, 7-1 MEAC) in 2011.
The Spartans' home MEAC games next season are against 2010 MEAC Co-Champion/FCS Playoffs participant South Carolina State (9-3,7-1 MEAC)(Oct. 1), Hampton (6-5, 5-3 MEAC) (Oct. 15), MEAC Co-Champion/FCS Playoffs participant Bethune-Cookman (10-2, 7-1 MEAC) (Oct. 22) and North Carolina A&T (1-10, 1-7 MEAC) (Oct. 29). The contest against the Aggies will serve as Homecoming as well as Senior Day.
In addition to the road game at Howard, NSU will also travel to Delaware State (3-8, 2-6 MEAC) (Oct. 8), Savannah State (1-10)(Nov. 5) and Morgan State (4-7, 3-5) (Nov. 12) in MEAC play. The Spartans do not have a bye week next year, playing 11 consecutive games before completing the regular season on Nov. 12.
2011 Norfolk State Football Schedule
September
03, Virginia State (Labor Day Classic), Norfolk, VA
10, West Virginia, Morgantown, WV
17, Howard, Washington, D.C.
24, Charleston Southern, Norfolk, VA
October
01, South Carolina State, Norfolk, VA
08, Delaware State, Dover, DE
15, Hampton, (Battle of the Bay), Norfolk, VA
22, Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk, VA
29, North Carolina A&T (Homecoming/Senior Day), Norfolk,VA
November
05, Savannah State, Savannah, GA
12, Morgan State, Baltimore, MD
Press Release: 12/21/10; Written By: MEAC Media Relations
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Branche in striking distance of NSU's rushing crown
DeAngelo Branche racked his brain, but struggled to come up with a childhood friend who could talk about him. Two are in prison. One is dead. The best bet is running from police.Football, the Norfolk State senior running back says, is the biggest reason he never joined them. "They knew we were on different paths," Branche said. Instead, at 23, the Maury High graduate is married with a child on the way. He's close to his parents, who attend every game and whose house he retreats to every weekend.
Branche hopes that path includes the school's all-time career rushing mark. Currently 16th in the country with 1,097 yards, he needs a career-high 215 against Savannah State on Saturday to break LaRue Harrington's record of 3,659 yards.
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Videographer: 8to5pros
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Branche runs wild as NSU cruises to easy home win
NORFOLK, VA - After his second touchdown run, running back DeAngelo Branche placed his hands on his hips and straightened his back, stretching his lungs for air. His 15-yard score down the right sideline with 11:38 to play in the second quarter was his second consecutive run. Earlier in the drive, he'd carried three straight times, including a 10-yard run that featured a cutback from one side of the field to the other.
But before Branche, chest still heaving, took a break and a seat alongside the rest of the skill players, he paced in front of the offensive line's bench, bumping fists with the five men that led the way. "You know we don't get the glory," left tackle Kendall Noble said. "It shows he appreciates what we're doing for him."
Branche Leads Senior Day Victory over Delaware State
The Spartans ended their last home game of the season in style as they beat the Delaware State Hornets 31-21 at Dick Price Stadium.
Emotions were running high with the game against the Hornets being Senior Day. The Spartans have 20 seniors on the roster with 10 of them starting in the game and many of them had an impact in the victory.
NSU's offense was dominated by running the ball with senior DeAngelo Branche having a career-high 212 rushing yards on 30 carries. He also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. Three of his runs were touchdowns and he was relentless every time he got the ball. His last carry was the most crucial being a 40-yard touchdown run putting the game away for the Spartans. Branche wasn't the only running back playing well as senior Donovan Cotton had 13 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 21 yards.
Hurry-up offense too much for DSU
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Delaware State football team hasn't matched up particularly well with any opponent this season, but its depth chart made Saturday's visit to Norfolk State seem like a destined defeat.
The Hornets, with just four healthy defensive linemen, faced a Spartans offense with a rugged runner and strong offensive line that had just installed a hurry-up offense. Delaware State was rushed all over by the Spartans, getting outgained 310-54 on the ground in a 31-21 road loss.
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ATTENDANCE: 6181
Videographer: godsquadtkd1
But before Branche, chest still heaving, took a break and a seat alongside the rest of the skill players, he paced in front of the offensive line's bench, bumping fists with the five men that led the way. "You know we don't get the glory," left tackle Kendall Noble said. "It shows he appreciates what we're doing for him."
Branche Leads Senior Day Victory over Delaware State
The Spartans ended their last home game of the season in style as they beat the Delaware State Hornets 31-21 at Dick Price Stadium.
Emotions were running high with the game against the Hornets being Senior Day. The Spartans have 20 seniors on the roster with 10 of them starting in the game and many of them had an impact in the victory.
NSU's offense was dominated by running the ball with senior DeAngelo Branche having a career-high 212 rushing yards on 30 carries. He also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. Three of his runs were touchdowns and he was relentless every time he got the ball. His last carry was the most crucial being a 40-yard touchdown run putting the game away for the Spartans. Branche wasn't the only running back playing well as senior Donovan Cotton had 13 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 21 yards.
Hurry-up offense too much for DSU
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Delaware State football team hasn't matched up particularly well with any opponent this season, but its depth chart made Saturday's visit to Norfolk State seem like a destined defeat.
The Hornets, with just four healthy defensive linemen, faced a Spartans offense with a rugged runner and strong offensive line that had just installed a hurry-up offense. Delaware State was rushed all over by the Spartans, getting outgained 310-54 on the ground in a 31-21 road loss.
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ATTENDANCE: 6181
Videographer: godsquadtkd1
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Norfolk State's passing game too much for Morgan State, 37-25
Norfolk, VA - Chris Walley passed for season highs of 305 yards and four touchdowns for Norfolk State (4-5, 3-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and set a single-game school record for completion percentage Saturday in a 37-25 win against visiting Morgan State (4-5, 3-3 MEAC).After Kemar Scarlett's second field goal gave the Bears the 6-3 lead, Walley capped a 10-play drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Garrett. Walley scored again for Norfolk in the second quarter on a 45-yard pass to Nigel McCowan, and Scarlett added two more field goals, bringing Morgan to a 20-12 deficit at halftime.
QB Walley sparks Norfolk State past Morgan State 37-25
NORFOLK, VA - From nearly invisible to nearly unstoppable. The Norfolk State offense, missing for much of the year, put together its best effort against an FCS opponent and never punted in a 37-25 win over Morgan State at Dick Price Stadium on Saturday.
Chris Walley completed his first 12 passes, connected for touchdown passes with four different receivers and finished with a school record for completion percentage (90.9 percent) after a 20-for-22, 305-yard effort. "It's hard to be much better than that, isn't it?" Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said.
NSU notes: McCowan makes first catch for 45-yard TD
NORFOLK, VA - When Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian took over six years ago, his first goal was to put out a team that wouldn't quit over four quarters. On Saturday, Adrian reaped the benefits for finding players willing to fight for a full season.
Quarterback Chris Walley, kicker Ryan Estep and wide receiver Nigel McCowan have struggled at times this season, yet all delivered big plays Saturday. Walley was the day's highlight, Estep made three key kicks, but McCowan's moment excited the Spartans the most. The senior wide receiver began the year as a starter, was demoted to reserve, hadn't made a catch and cost the team a touchdown with a holding penalty in a 17-13 loss to Florida A&M.
Norfolk State University Spartans Legion Marching Band, Videographer: kevinrharris1 (11/1/10)
Spartans Win in Offensive Shootout
The Spartans bounced back from a lackluster performance offensively last week against Howard University to defeat the Morgan St. Bears 37-25.
In the second week since the Spartans changed their offensive coordinator to Joe Blackwell, the offense played excellent the whole game. Running back DeAngelo Branche had 23 carries for 111 yards. Quarterback Chris Walley played the best game of his NSU career as he was 20-22 for 305 yards and four touchdowns and an interception. Wide receiver Reggie Garrett caught the first receiving touchdown of his career on a 10-yard fade route and wide receiver Nigel McCowan caught a 45-yard touchdown pass as Walley rolled out to the right to avoid a sack. Walley completed a pass to nine different players and the most was to wide receiver Victor Hairston who had seven catches for 92 yards.
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ATTENDANCE: 5,755
Sunday, October 24, 2010
FAMU Rattlers Defeat Norfolk State 17-13
NORFOLK, Va. – The Florida A&M University Football played the role of spoiler as they defeated Norfolk State, 17-13 on their homecoming, here Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium.
Trevor Scott would give FAMU a 3-0 lead as he connected on a 28-yard field goal with 13:09 remaining in the first quarter as the Rattlers recovered a NSU’s Dwight Fluker-Berry fumble on the kickoff. Dante Barnes gave the NSU a 7-3 lead as scored on a 68-yard interception return with 5:54 to go in the first quarter, after the Ryan Estep PAT.
Mistakes doom NSU in 17-13 loss to Florida A&M
NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk State football team found a new way to reach the same, tired, result. Betrayed by their defense and penalties, rather than offense and special teams, the Spartans surrendered the winning touchdown with 5:21 left and lost 17-13 to Florida A&M (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) on Saturday.
This one, the fourth straight defeat for NSU (2-5, 1-4), came before 21,118 fans on homecoming, a second straight kick in the gut after a one-point rivalry game loss to Hampton. "This one hurts a lot," senior running back DeAngelo Branche said. "You'll never understand. It's your last homecoming. To lose a game like that..."
Even with the excitement and festivities surrounding homecoming, the Norfolk State Spartans were unable to keep the Florida A&M Rattlers at bay, losing in yet another close game, 17-13.
Both teams came into the game in a must-win situation. NSU was trying to break their three game losing streak; Florida A&M needed a win to stay in the race for the MEAC Championship. The opening kickoff was fumbled by Spartans defensive back Dwight Fluker-Berry, the Rattlers recovered the ball and turned it into a 28-yard field goal by Trevor Scott. Two possessions later, cornerback Dante Barnes returned an interception 68 yards to put the Spartans up 7-3.
Photo Gallery:
NSU notes: It's 3000 yards and counting for Branche
Norfolk State running back DeAngelo Branche, who needed 42 yards to reach the 3,000-yard mark for his career, finished with 89 yards on 26 carries. The Maury graduate is just the second Spartan to hit the milestone and the first to do it at the FCS level.
"It was one of my goals," Branche said. "You can enjoy it a little. Even after a loss, an achievement is still an achievement. My name's in the record books. When I leave here, it'll still be here." Doing it on homecoming made it extra special.
NORFOLK, Va. — He didn't get a response from Florida A&M, or any other school that he sent film to in hopes of making their football team. Chris Walley, who piled up all sorts of impressive accolades just a few years ago at North Florida Christian, had all but resolved to just spending the spring semester at home. Pete Adrian, head coach at Norfolk State University, saw something he liked on Walley's video, though.
"He's able to do what he has to do," Adrian said. "He gets his checks on and off and that's a good thing." The call came and Walley had just enough time to get into classes a few days before the spring session began. He won the quarterback job.
Rattlers rally to victory
NORFOLK, Va. — With just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Florida A&M football team trailing by three points, the situation became one of mind over matter for running back Philip Sylvester and quarterback Martin Ukpai.
What transpired for the next 5:13 Saturday afternoon was a remarkable performance with Sylvester rushing for 42 yards during a 98-yard drive that propelled the Rattlers past Norfolk State 17-13 in a must-win game at Dick Price Stadium. The Spartans had scored the go-ahead points on a field goal near the end of the third quarter, creating a desperate situation for FAMU.
Taylor on recruiting trail for local talent
NORFOLK, Va. — For the second consecutive weekend, Florida A&M faced a team that has a Big Bend quarterback under center. Of course, FAMU coach Joe Taylor has been paying attention to the talent of Antonio Bostick and Chris Walley. Bostick is quarterback at Savannah State, while Walley plays the same position at Norfolk State.
Taylor talked as if he doesn't want to make those kinds of misses in the future. His recruiters are already on the trail of some of the top players in the area, Taylor said, with some of them making early commitments. "We are just trying to make sure we get ours," said Taylor, who is prohibited by NCAA rules from naming names any players who have committed to join the program next season.
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ATTENDANCE: 21,118
Trevor Scott would give FAMU a 3-0 lead as he connected on a 28-yard field goal with 13:09 remaining in the first quarter as the Rattlers recovered a NSU’s Dwight Fluker-Berry fumble on the kickoff. Dante Barnes gave the NSU a 7-3 lead as scored on a 68-yard interception return with 5:54 to go in the first quarter, after the Ryan Estep PAT.
Mistakes doom NSU in 17-13 loss to Florida A&M
NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk State football team found a new way to reach the same, tired, result. Betrayed by their defense and penalties, rather than offense and special teams, the Spartans surrendered the winning touchdown with 5:21 left and lost 17-13 to Florida A&M (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) on Saturday.
This one, the fourth straight defeat for NSU (2-5, 1-4), came before 21,118 fans on homecoming, a second straight kick in the gut after a one-point rivalry game loss to Hampton. "This one hurts a lot," senior running back DeAngelo Branche said. "You'll never understand. It's your last homecoming. To lose a game like that..."
Snake Bitten
Even with the excitement and festivities surrounding homecoming, the Norfolk State Spartans were unable to keep the Florida A&M Rattlers at bay, losing in yet another close game, 17-13.
Both teams came into the game in a must-win situation. NSU was trying to break their three game losing streak; Florida A&M needed a win to stay in the race for the MEAC Championship. The opening kickoff was fumbled by Spartans defensive back Dwight Fluker-Berry, the Rattlers recovered the ball and turned it into a 28-yard field goal by Trevor Scott. Two possessions later, cornerback Dante Barnes returned an interception 68 yards to put the Spartans up 7-3.
Photo Gallery:
Norfolk State running back DeAngelo Branche, who needed 42 yards to reach the 3,000-yard mark for his career, finished with 89 yards on 26 carries. The Maury graduate is just the second Spartan to hit the milestone and the first to do it at the FCS level.
"It was one of my goals," Branche said. "You can enjoy it a little. Even after a loss, an achievement is still an achievement. My name's in the record books. When I leave here, it'll still be here." Doing it on homecoming made it extra special.
Former NFC QB Walley doing well in Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. — He didn't get a response from Florida A&M, or any other school that he sent film to in hopes of making their football team. Chris Walley, who piled up all sorts of impressive accolades just a few years ago at North Florida Christian, had all but resolved to just spending the spring semester at home. Pete Adrian, head coach at Norfolk State University, saw something he liked on Walley's video, though.
"He's able to do what he has to do," Adrian said. "He gets his checks on and off and that's a good thing." The call came and Walley had just enough time to get into classes a few days before the spring session began. He won the quarterback job.
Rattlers rally to victory
NORFOLK, Va. — With just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Florida A&M football team trailing by three points, the situation became one of mind over matter for running back Philip Sylvester and quarterback Martin Ukpai.
What transpired for the next 5:13 Saturday afternoon was a remarkable performance with Sylvester rushing for 42 yards during a 98-yard drive that propelled the Rattlers past Norfolk State 17-13 in a must-win game at Dick Price Stadium. The Spartans had scored the go-ahead points on a field goal near the end of the third quarter, creating a desperate situation for FAMU.
Taylor on recruiting trail for local talent
NORFOLK, Va. — For the second consecutive weekend, Florida A&M faced a team that has a Big Bend quarterback under center. Of course, FAMU coach Joe Taylor has been paying attention to the talent of Antonio Bostick and Chris Walley. Bostick is quarterback at Savannah State, while Walley plays the same position at Norfolk State.
Taylor talked as if he doesn't want to make those kinds of misses in the future. His recruiters are already on the trail of some of the top players in the area, Taylor said, with some of them making early commitments. "We are just trying to make sure we get ours," said Taylor, who is prohibited by NCAA rules from naming names any players who have committed to join the program next season.
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ATTENDANCE: 21,118
Friday, October 22, 2010
NSU report: Spartans lose leading tackler for the season
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| Norfolk State Spartans Coach Pete Adrian |
Facing a Florida A&M team Saturday that has utilized a power running game, Taylor's absence will hurt. Through six games, Taylor had 40 tackles. Against Florida A&M last year, he had 14 - his best game during a season in which he finished fourth in the MEAC in tackles and earned second-team all-league honors.
"That takes a toll," fellow inside linebacker Corwin Hammond said. "He's a leader for the defense. With his play and what he did on the field, it's memorable. People want to compete with him, follow him. I definitely miss playing next to him."
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Monday, October 18, 2010
NSU loses gut-wrenching defensive battle to Hampton
HAMPTON, VA -- Achilles only had one deficiency. Norfolk State has two.
The poor passing and shaky special teams that have marked each of the Spartans' MEAC contests emerged again Saturday in a 7-6 Battle of the Bay loss to Hampton (5-1, 4-0), the most frustrating defeat yet for a Norfolk State team (2-4, 1-3) growing well accustomed to them.
Kicker Ryan Estep missed a game-tying extra point and quarterback Chris Walley had just four completions and 12 yards passing until the final two minutes, another exposition of Norfolk State's most glaring flaws.
Hampton hangs on to beat Norfolk State 7-6 BATTLE OF THE BAY:
HAMPTON, VA — For long stretches on Saturday, Brandon Peguese and his Hampton teammates didn't give his grandmother, watching her grandson play football for the first time ever, many reasons to cheer.
That changed on the final drive of the game, when Peguese, the Pirates' senior defensive end, combined with sophomore linebacker Matt Davis to sack Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley on fourth down and preserve Hampton's 7-6 victory in the 48th edition of the Battle of the Bay.
HAMPTON, VA — It seemed fitting that Saturday's offensively-challenged Battle of the Bay was decided by a missed extra point, and that one of the game's crucial plays began with a botched snap. Here's the kind of offensive display Hampton and Norfolk State provided: The Pirates scored one more point than they did a year ago when they got housed by 40. Except that this time, they won.
"It's a win," Pirates head coach Donovan Rose exhaled after the 7-6 affair. "We could win by point-five. I'll take it. That's 4-0 in the conference. I don't know what everybody else does, but I know we're steadily going forward."
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Attendance: 11,916
The poor passing and shaky special teams that have marked each of the Spartans' MEAC contests emerged again Saturday in a 7-6 Battle of the Bay loss to Hampton (5-1, 4-0), the most frustrating defeat yet for a Norfolk State team (2-4, 1-3) growing well accustomed to them.
Kicker Ryan Estep missed a game-tying extra point and quarterback Chris Walley had just four completions and 12 yards passing until the final two minutes, another exposition of Norfolk State's most glaring flaws.
Hampton hangs on to beat Norfolk State 7-6 BATTLE OF THE BAY:
HAMPTON, VA — For long stretches on Saturday, Brandon Peguese and his Hampton teammates didn't give his grandmother, watching her grandson play football for the first time ever, many reasons to cheer.
That changed on the final drive of the game, when Peguese, the Pirates' senior defensive end, combined with sophomore linebacker Matt Davis to sack Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley on fourth down and preserve Hampton's 7-6 victory in the 48th edition of the Battle of the Bay.
Hampton U. prevails in offensive quagmire
HAMPTON, VA — It seemed fitting that Saturday's offensively-challenged Battle of the Bay was decided by a missed extra point, and that one of the game's crucial plays began with a botched snap. Here's the kind of offensive display Hampton and Norfolk State provided: The Pirates scored one more point than they did a year ago when they got housed by 40. Except that this time, they won.
"It's a win," Pirates head coach Donovan Rose exhaled after the 7-6 affair. "We could win by point-five. I'll take it. That's 4-0 in the conference. I don't know what everybody else does, but I know we're steadily going forward."
PICTURES: Hampton University VS. Norfolk State Battle of the Bands
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Attendance: 11,916
Saturday, October 16, 2010
NSU is rivalry win away from rebound
Hampton University coach Donovan Rose said records don't matter in rivalry games. Norfolk State hopes he's right. Entering the 48th Battle of the Bay between NSU and Hampton at 1 p.m. today, the 4-1 Pirates sit atop the MEAC with a 3-0 league record.
The Spartans (1-2, 2-3), meanwhile, have had all reasonable hopes for a conference title dashed and will be manufacturing motivation for the last half of the season. "We still got pride to win," senior lineman Calton Ford said. " The whole goal is to win. A couple games don't dictate the season or who you are. They don't tell who you are or what you're known for after you've done things. We still have pride in the season."
Hampton hosts Battle of the Bay
Hampton, VA (Sports Network) - Saturday's Bethune-Cookman at South Carolina State matchup in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is one of the more anticipated games of the season. It's offense versus defense. Bethune-Cookman's upstart team leads the FCS in both points and yards per game. Meanwhile, South Carolina State's MEAC power leads the nation in total defense.
What shouldn't be overlooked with this big matchup is that Hampton could hold first place all by itself come late Saturday afternoon.
Sherron Childress and Jacobi Fenner are friends — for 51 weeks of the year. The other week, they're football players trying to beat the living daylights out of each other in the annual showdown known as the Battle of the Bay.
"Phone calls are cut out," said Childress, Norfolk State's senior tight end who went to Hampton High with Fenner, Hampton University's senior linebacker. "We speak when we see each other, but as far as holding a real conversation — it's game week. We have to prepare. But after the game, we'll be friends. We'll go out and hang out with each other and talk about the game."
Hampton- Norfolk State Battle of the Bay preview and our prediction
HAMPTON (4-1, 3-0 MEAC) vs. NORFOLK STATE (2-3, 1-2 MEAC)
WHEN: 1 p.m.
WHERE: Armstrong Stadium.
TV/RADIO: 88.1 FM
THE BUZZ: The Pirates are hungry for revenge after being embarrassed 46-6 last year at Norfolk State, and they seem to have the balanced offense (198 rushing yards per game, 136 passing) to achieve it. The Spartans have lost two straight games to ranked MEAC teams, including...
The Spartans (1-2, 2-3), meanwhile, have had all reasonable hopes for a conference title dashed and will be manufacturing motivation for the last half of the season. "We still got pride to win," senior lineman Calton Ford said. " The whole goal is to win. A couple games don't dictate the season or who you are. They don't tell who you are or what you're known for after you've done things. We still have pride in the season."
Hampton hosts Battle of the Bay
Hampton, VA (Sports Network) - Saturday's Bethune-Cookman at South Carolina State matchup in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is one of the more anticipated games of the season. It's offense versus defense. Bethune-Cookman's upstart team leads the FCS in both points and yards per game. Meanwhile, South Carolina State's MEAC power leads the nation in total defense.
What shouldn't be overlooked with this big matchup is that Hampton could hold first place all by itself come late Saturday afternoon.
Friendship takes backseat to Battle of the Bay when Hampton faces Norfolk State
Sherron Childress and Jacobi Fenner are friends — for 51 weeks of the year. The other week, they're football players trying to beat the living daylights out of each other in the annual showdown known as the Battle of the Bay.
"Phone calls are cut out," said Childress, Norfolk State's senior tight end who went to Hampton High with Fenner, Hampton University's senior linebacker. "We speak when we see each other, but as far as holding a real conversation — it's game week. We have to prepare. But after the game, we'll be friends. We'll go out and hang out with each other and talk about the game."
Hampton- Norfolk State Battle of the Bay preview and our prediction
HAMPTON (4-1, 3-0 MEAC) vs. NORFOLK STATE (2-3, 1-2 MEAC)
WHEN: 1 p.m.
WHERE: Armstrong Stadium.
TV/RADIO: 88.1 FM
THE BUZZ: The Pirates are hungry for revenge after being embarrassed 46-6 last year at Norfolk State, and they seem to have the balanced offense (198 rushing yards per game, 136 passing) to achieve it. The Spartans have lost two straight games to ranked MEAC teams, including...
On Campus: NSU coach Pete Adrian knows a thing or two about rivalries
Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian has been in involved in a rivalry or two in his playing and coaching careers. For his money, his team's annual showdown against nearby MEAC rival Hampton, known as the Battle of the Bay, is among the best in the business.
"These are great games. That’s one thing that college football is all about, is rivalries," Adrian said. "I can remember when I played at West Virginia, we had a team called Pitt. And that’s the Backyard Brawl, and that was really the beginning of it for me, to see the intensity.
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Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian has been in involved in a rivalry or two in his playing and coaching careers. For his money, his team's annual showdown against nearby MEAC rival Hampton, known as the Battle of the Bay, is among the best in the business.
"These are great games. That’s one thing that college football is all about, is rivalries," Adrian said. "I can remember when I played at West Virginia, we had a team called Pitt. And that’s the Backyard Brawl, and that was really the beginning of it for me, to see the intensity.
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Sunday, October 10, 2010
SCSU Bulldogs extend win streak with 34-13 win over Norfolk State
A special teams' snafu ended South Carolina State's season last November in Boone, N.C.
Almost a year later, a similar surreal miscue enabled the Bulldogs to rally from an early deficit and extend their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference-record winning streak Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Reserve defensive back Josh McFadden recovered an errant punt by Norfolk State's Troy Muenzer and returned it 47 yards to tie the game at 7-7. S.C. State added 17 more points in the first half and pulled away for a 34-13 victory. "I've never been involved in a play like that," McFadden said. "First time I've ever seen something like that."
After 30-plus years, ’76 and ’80 Bulldogs receive National Black Championship rings
SANTEE, S.C. - Slowly but surely, they entered the dimly lit ballroom at the Whitten Inn Friday night. They shook hands, exchanged greetings and shared a laugh or two from memories past. They were Black College National Champions, former South Carolina State Bulldogs brought back together in Santee to receive an honor long overdue - their national title rings.
It was one last chance for the Bulldogs 1976 and 1980 teams to share memories from their playing days.
"It's like the Reverend said earlier," former Bulldogs outside linebacker R.V. Brown said. "For us to receive this 34 years later, we would have not realized the impact that we had being the first school in the state of South Carolina to win a National Championship. We didn't know the value of it at the time, but right now, we know that and we've got that."
Special teams miscue ruins Norfolk State's day
ORANGEBURG, S.C - The opening minutes played out to perfection for Norfolk State on Saturday in its game at No. 9 South Carolina State.
Just 59 seconds into the game, Spartan defensive back Ricardo Volcin stepped in front of a sideline pass by Bulldog quarterback Malcolm Long and raced 39 yards into the end zone. After S.C. State was forced to punt on its next possession, Norfolk State appeared on its way to winning for the first time in seven tries at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
With 10:24 remaining in the first quarter, one bizarre special teams miscue turned the momentum and contest quickly back in South Carolina State's favor. A low snap was mishandled by punter Troy Muenzer who, in the process of trying to retrieve the football, illegally kicked it off the ground.
NSU report: New TE coach can't shake his passion
Mackinley Jane Blackwell loves to watch the Ducks. The 5-year-old isn't so much into lakes or ponds, or the Donald and Daisy kind. She takes after dad. So last Saturday, on Norfolk State's bye week, Spartans tight end coach Joe Blackwell went home to Myrtle Beach, S.C., scooped up Mackinley Jane and settled in for what qualifies as quality time in the Blackwell household.
" We sat up and we watched Clemson together," Blackwell said. "Then we watched Oregon" - the Ducks. "For some reason, she really likes Oregon." A first-year tight ends coach at Norfolk State, Blackwell travels back to his home state again today, this time for the Spartans' game at South Carolina State.
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Attendance: 21,971
Almost a year later, a similar surreal miscue enabled the Bulldogs to rally from an early deficit and extend their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference-record winning streak Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Reserve defensive back Josh McFadden recovered an errant punt by Norfolk State's Troy Muenzer and returned it 47 yards to tie the game at 7-7. S.C. State added 17 more points in the first half and pulled away for a 34-13 victory. "I've never been involved in a play like that," McFadden said. "First time I've ever seen something like that."
After 30-plus years, ’76 and ’80 Bulldogs receive National Black Championship rings
SANTEE, S.C. - Slowly but surely, they entered the dimly lit ballroom at the Whitten Inn Friday night. They shook hands, exchanged greetings and shared a laugh or two from memories past. They were Black College National Champions, former South Carolina State Bulldogs brought back together in Santee to receive an honor long overdue - their national title rings.
It was one last chance for the Bulldogs 1976 and 1980 teams to share memories from their playing days.
"It's like the Reverend said earlier," former Bulldogs outside linebacker R.V. Brown said. "For us to receive this 34 years later, we would have not realized the impact that we had being the first school in the state of South Carolina to win a National Championship. We didn't know the value of it at the time, but right now, we know that and we've got that."
Special teams miscue ruins Norfolk State's day
ORANGEBURG, S.C - The opening minutes played out to perfection for Norfolk State on Saturday in its game at No. 9 South Carolina State.
Just 59 seconds into the game, Spartan defensive back Ricardo Volcin stepped in front of a sideline pass by Bulldog quarterback Malcolm Long and raced 39 yards into the end zone. After S.C. State was forced to punt on its next possession, Norfolk State appeared on its way to winning for the first time in seven tries at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
With 10:24 remaining in the first quarter, one bizarre special teams miscue turned the momentum and contest quickly back in South Carolina State's favor. A low snap was mishandled by punter Troy Muenzer who, in the process of trying to retrieve the football, illegally kicked it off the ground.
NSU report: New TE coach can't shake his passion
Mackinley Jane Blackwell loves to watch the Ducks. The 5-year-old isn't so much into lakes or ponds, or the Donald and Daisy kind. She takes after dad. So last Saturday, on Norfolk State's bye week, Spartans tight end coach Joe Blackwell went home to Myrtle Beach, S.C., scooped up Mackinley Jane and settled in for what qualifies as quality time in the Blackwell household.
" We sat up and we watched Clemson together," Blackwell said. "Then we watched Oregon" - the Ducks. "For some reason, she really likes Oregon." A first-year tight ends coach at Norfolk State, Blackwell travels back to his home state again today, this time for the Spartans' game at South Carolina State.
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Attendance: 21,971
Friday, October 1, 2010
NSU report: Defense too eager, not too slow, coach says
After the loss Saturday to Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said the Spartans looked slow. After watching film, he thinks he knows why. Rather than coming out flat, Adrian said NSU actually was overeager. The Spartans lacked discipline."We weren't any slower than they were," Adrian said. "It wasn't about speed. A couple times, from a linebacker standpoint, they thought it was going left, took two steps that way and the quarterback kept it and went the other way. If you're two steps behind, you look two steps too slow."
Adrian said the coaches were surprised the struggles came in the fourth game rather than earlier.
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Friday, September 24, 2010
B-CU/Norfolk State rivalry fades with Wyatt gone
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- When former Bethune-Cookman defensive coordinator Pete Adrian became head coach at Norfolk State in 2005, he took three other B-CU assistants with him and a rivalry was born. Five years later, Brian Jenkins has replaced Alvin Wyatt as B-CU's coach and none of the Wildcats recruited by Adrian or his assistants are still with the team.
"The ties to them are gone," said B-CU quarterback Matt Johnson, a fifth-year senior. "The players who knew them are not here anymore, so it's just another game." As the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for the Wildcats, against a team that manhandled them last year, Saturday's game against the Spartans at Municipal Stadium is not quite just another game.
Pete's Ploys 3.0
This week's motivational tactic was by far the most entertaining, but also the most far-fetched.
Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian said he was listening to Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins recently -- I'm not sure if it was a media conference call, radio show or television program since I didn't hear it -- and Adrian decided to have a little fun with one of Jenkins' comments.
All of Jenkins' comments from below are Adrian's accounts, and I can't speak to the veracity of them, but it's not hard to imagine something similar occurring. Bethune has pumelled two rather inferior opponents, Savannah State and Edward Waters College. Jenkins, whose Wildcats beat Savannah State 42-7, allegedly said ...
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Thursday, September 23, 2010
QB has triggered fast starts for NSU's offense
NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley's career has started just as the Spartans hoped. His starts to each game, though, have been far better than anticipated.Walley, a transfer from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and the winner of a three-way quarterback competition in the preseason, has three straight torrid starts. He completed four of his first five passes against Rutgers, eight of his first 10 against North Carolina A&T and 11 of his first 13 against Virginia State.
Heading into Saturday's game at Bethune-Cookman, the Spartans have played their best in the first half, outscoring opponents 47-20. The transfer credits scouting for the early success.
B-CU's schedule getting tougher
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- It's hard to imagine a more favorable scheduling scenario for a first-year head coach and a team learning an entirely new system.
Preseason drills and practice were followed by a season-opener that, for all intents and purposes, was a glorified scrimmage against a totally overmatched opponent -- Edward Waters College, which fell 70-10. After that came a rare second-week bye, allowing for an extra week of preparations leading up to Game 2, against Savannah State, which offered a small step up in competition yet still resulted in a lopsided victory, 42-7.
After Saturday's decisive win over Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins assessed how his team currently looks, compared to what he was hoping to see at this early stage. Since football coaches are never completely satisfied, the answer was fairly predictable.
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Monday, September 20, 2010
NSU Spartans romp Virginia State Trojans
Norfolk, VA - Senior running back DeAngelo Branche (Norfolk, Va.) rushed for 167 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to lead Norfolk State to its most points in five years in a 51-28 rout of Virginia State on Saturday night in the Spartan-Trojan Classic at Dick Price Stadium.
Quarterback Chris Walley (Tallahassee, Fla.) completed 17-of-22 passes for 237 yards and two scores for the Spartans (2-1), who piled up 505 yards of total offense en route to their fifth straight win over the Trojans (2-1). The five-game winning streak is NSU’s longest in the series, which dates to 1963. The 51 points recorded by NSU is the team’s most since ...
Branche puts legs to work as Spartans trample Trojans
NORFOLK, VA - The only labor came from the scoreboard operator. Behind running back DeAngelo Branche's career-high four touchdowns and quarterback Chris Walley's best effort yet, Norfolk State's offense barely broke a sweat. The Spartans were efficient throughout a 51-28 trouncing of Virginia State on Saturday, scoring on two of their first three offensive plays.
"I kept saying in the first quarter that we could do whatever we wanted to, run or pass," Norfolk State wide receiver Victor Hairston said.
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