Showing posts with label Coach Pete Adrian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coach Pete Adrian. Show all posts

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Twice ineligible, Fluker-Berry happy to have a home at NSU

Before transitioning from defense to offense and back at Norfolk State, Dwight Fluker-Berry signed with North Carolina, played for Fork Union Military Academy, attended West Virginia and went home to Miami. Compared to traversing the East Coast, traipsing around a depth chart isn't much of an imposition. In his senior season, his third year as a Spartan, the 23-year-old safety is finally locked in.

"You go through some of those trials, when you get here, when you get through that, you just want to play football," defensive backs coach Marco Butler said. Through two games, Fluker-Berry is tied for fourth at NSU (1-1) in tackles with nine. He delivered the crucial play in a victory Saturday that opened the MEAC schedule, picking up a fumble and running 50 yards for a score.

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Monday, September 13, 2010

Fumble return keys Norfolk State's 23-14 win



NORFOLK, VA - Hit them when they're up, hit them when they're (headed) down. That's Norfolk State linebacker Corwin Hammond's philosophy on dealing with quarterbacks. Hammond said he was just trying to punish North Carolina A&T quarterback Shelton Morgan when he helped Norfolk State pull away in a 23-14 win in front of 14,550 at Dick Price Stadium on Saturday.

"He was going down, so you might as well hit him," Hammond said. "You might as well. If he's going to run it, he's going to get hit." Trailing 13-7 with 8:12 left in the third quarter, the Aggies (0-2) were moving the ball well for the first time against NSU (1-1). North Carolina A&T finished with just six first downs, but Morgan looked ready to move the chains for the third time on the drive.

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Viewings of North Carolina A&T's "Bed Intruder Song" arrangement has now reached over 631,400 on YouTube within 30 days.

Friday, September 10, 2010

NSU develops plans to avoid cramping issues

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State's cramping put a crimp in its season opener. It also sent NSU strength and conditioning coach Reese Bridgman on a search for answers. Bridgman said a combination of factors caused the Spartans' issues last Thursday at Rutgers, and he doesn't expect cramps to be a major problem Saturday against North Carolina A&T.



Bridgman said the amount of time the defense spent on the field and the spongy turf of Rutgers Stadium led to NSU's problems. Oh, and just like most of the issues plaguing the country, the economy can be blamed as well. "I spent a lot of time looking at it," Bridgman said. "I feel some responsibility. As a team, we weren't in as good aerobic shape as we'd have liked to be. You only have so many weeks of preseason. It takes six weeks to get kids in aerobic shape. Preseason is four weeks."

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Saturday, September 4, 2010

NSU finds plenty to smile about despite loss to Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - This game against Rutgers played out much differently for Norfolk State than the one in 2007. But the Spartans wouldn't mind if the rest of this year went similarly to that season. The Spartans lost their season opener to Rutgers 31-0 Thursday night, but a closely contested first half sent NSU home with a pocket full of positives and clear similarities to the 2007 group the Spartans are looking to emulate.

That team, like this one, was built around defense and broke in a new group of receivers. It rebounded from a 59-0 loss to Rutgers to come within a win short of a MEAC championship, the closest the Spartans have been. Bettering that mark is NSU's main mission. After one game, the Spartans remain optimistic.

"I'm proud of how we played," said receiver Victor Hairston, who led the offense with five catches for 82 yards. "If we can play like this, we'll do really well in the MEAC."




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Friday, September 3, 2010

Norfolk State makes a game of it against Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Norfolk State opened its season with a loss Thursday night, but the 31-0 defeat at Rutgers Stadium goes down as more success than setback. In its previous visit to Rutgers in 2007, Norfolk State lost 59-0 and the game was over at halftime. In visit No. 2, the Spartans could have led at the midway point. The Scarlet Knights eventually took over in the second half, using the physical inside running of 6-foot-0, 215-pound Joe Martinek to wear out NSU’s defense.

Martinek’s 6-yard touchdown with 7:55 left in the third quarter put the Scarlet Knights up 14-0 and effectively ended Norfolk State’s challenge. The Spartans had defensive players suffer an injury or cramps on four straight plays and five total during the drive, a seven-play, 75-yard stretch to open the second half.

“The first half went well; we just didn’t have enough in the tank to finish everything off,” linebacker Corwin Hammond said. “Everyone was cramping. I was cramping. My defensive teammates were cramping. I thought that’s when things went downhill.”



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Thursday, September 2, 2010

NSU is in it to win it against Rutgers

TONIGHT'S GAMES BY COMPUTER ON ESPN 3 (http://espn.go.com/espn3/index)

07:30 PM FOOTBALL NCAAF Norfolk State vs. Rutgers (Exclusive)
07:30 PM FOOTBALL NCAAF Florida A&M vs. #13 Miami (Exclusive)

NORFOLK, VA - It's too bad talking points don't go up on the scoreboard. Norfolk State might have been a favorite tonight. Heading into the team's 7:30 p.m. season opener at Rutgers, the Spartans are talking a good game, expressing belief that they're capable of beating the odds. They might be the only ones thinking that way.

"Even the students don't think we can win," senior offensive lineman Markeece Preston said. "They're buying into the whole I-A, I-AA thing. They think we'll get crushed."

The NSU student body has its reasons. Las Vegas doesn't set point spreads between teams at the different levels because it expects the teams to be so mismatched. When Appalachian State beat top-division Michigan in 2007, it was considered among the most shocking results ever.

"No one thought David would beat Goliath...

Monday, August 30, 2010

Around the MEAC and more

As promised folks, take a spin around Norfolk State’s schedule from Rutgers in Week 1 to Savannah State in the finale.

Rutgers primer Here’s a look at all you need to know about Rutgers heading into Thursday’s opener. In summary, the defense could be one of the best in Division I, they own an incredibly dangerous wide receiver (and a bunch of questionable ones) and the major question for their season seems to be how quarterback Tom Savage will operate without any training wheels. From the Newark Star-Ledger.http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2010/08/looking_ahead_to_the_2010_rutg.html

North Carolina A & T working through penalties Seems like none of the big-boy papers cover A&T, but this is a pretty nice job by the school’s student paper. The program is working through some limitations placed on its program through poor academic performance. Depth will be an issue, but likely not against the Spartans, who play A&T before the injuries should be a problem.http://www.ncatregister.com/mobile/aggie-football-moving-forward-from-penalty-1.2307661

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

NSU's vote on Legacy Bowl expected in fall

MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas said Thursday the conference continues to do its “due diligence” on the Legacy Bowl proposition and he expects a vote by school presidents this fall. On the team’s media day later Thursday, Norfolk State players made it clear how they would vote.

A Legacy Bowl would forego the MEAC champion’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs and match it with the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in a televised game reminiscent of the now-defunct Heritage Bowl. “Why?” asked running back DeAngelo Branche. “It’s like playing seven games and calling it quits.”

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Who'll catch on as NSU's top WR? Jeremy Wicker

NORFOLK, VA --Jeremy Wicker (#17) lacks the traditional wide receiver's desire to draw attention to himself, even when he might have every right to stand up, wave his arms and scream. With Norfolk State's top two wide receivers from 2009 gone, one of the Spartans' crucial issues is determining who will catch passes thrown by their yet-to-be-determined quarterback.

The answer, Wicker says, should be pretty clear: It's the guy who has been a Spartan for five seasons now. "Even some of the guys on the team, they don't direct it at you, but you hear them. They're like, 'Man, now we don't have any receivers.' It's like 'Come on. I've done this before. I've had 100-yard games. I've played Kentucky. I've played Rutgers. I've done it.' " With reasonable success, too.

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Norfolk State Spartans Football 2010 preview

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State ended last season on a high note. They finished 3rd in the MEAC, and hope to do even better this season.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

S.C. State, Pirates' Sanchez cited in improving MEAC

NORFOLK, VA - South Carolina State is the clear favorite to repeat as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football champ, but league coaches say that if the Bulldogs win the title they will have earned it. The word "parity" was heard quite often Friday at the MEAC's football media shindig, where league coaches voted S.C. State quarterback Malcolm Long and Hampton linebacker Julio Sanchez preseason players of the year.

"I'd say this is the best it's ever been," said Norfolk State's Pete Adrian, who is in his 13th year in the conference as a head coach and assistant. "There might have been better teams, … but out of the original members that are here, every one of them can beat you. You have to be ready to play."



Florida A&M was picked to finish second. Adrian's Spartans, on paper he said the best returning team he's had, were voted third. Hampton University was picked fourth.

"That's what the coaches around the league think, but that's not something we use as a measuring stick," said Pirates coach Donovan Rose, who overhauled his staff after a 5-6 record and uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in the conference.

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NSU receiver Hayden ruled ineligible this season

Coach Pete Adrian has stated that Norfolk State's recently-released Academic Progress Rate (for 2008-09) was tops in the MEAC and among all HBCUs.

Norfolk, VA -- Norfolk State wide receiver P.J. Hayden, the second leading receiver on last year's team, will redshirt this season after being ruled academically ineligible. His loss means Norfolk State will be trying to replace more than two-thirds of its receiving yardage, more than half its receptions and all but one touchdown. In addition to Hayden, the Spartans lost quarterback Dennis Brown to graduation and receiver Chris Bell, who left a year early to attempt to go pro.

Coach Pete Adrian said the academic issue was not grade-point-average related, but occurred because Hayden repeated a class and didn't meet the NCAA's credit-hour requirement. He will remain in school and participate with the scout team. Running back DeAngelo Branche becomes the team's leader among returning players in receiving yards with 250, and the top pass-catcher due in camp will be wideout Jeremy Wicker. He caught 25 passes for 191 yards.

"We have four guys who played regularly," Adrian said. "We had three freshmen redshirt - they have speed - and we brought in a JUCO (Montel Gamble). We've also got some running backs who are hybrids and can catch the ball and run with it."

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Friday, July 30, 2010

Playoff or pay-off? MEAC decision a 'win-win'

Norfolk, VA - There's a difficult decision ahead for Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference football, and there may not be a right or wrong answer considering both of the given options have merit.

"A win-win situation," according to Norfolk State football coach Pete Adrian.

Just as the FCS is expanding its playoff format from 16 to 20 teams this season, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schools are weighing in on the idea of giving up the automatic bid afforded its champion, beginning in 2011, to return to a bowl game against the champion of the nation's other Historically Black Colleges and Universities league, the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Talk of the potential Legacy Bowl has gone on for some time. Decision day is nearing.

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Norfolk State University "Hot Ice" vs. North Carolina A&T State University "Golden Delight"

Friday, July 16, 2010

MEAC might ditch automatic playoff bid for bowl, NSU says

Norfolk State University athletic director Marty Miller is quoted in today's Virginia Pilot newspaper, stating, " the proposed bowl wouldn't disqualify all MEAC teams from the playoffs, but because the regular-season champions would be committed to the bowl game, only at-large teams would be able to go."

Norfolk State has never made the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Soon, it might surrender its best chance to make the field. Spartans athletic director Marty Miller confirmed Thursday that the MEAC is discussing a season-ending bowl game that would cost the conference its automatic playoff bid.

The Legacy Bowl would match the regular-season champions from the FCS's two historically black college conferences: the MEAC and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. "I think it'd be a good thing," said Ali Scott, an incoming freshman player from Churchland. "To me, winning a bowl game, that's a game that you never forget."

A news release from South Carolina State's athletic department indicated the game would be held starting in 2011 if the proposal is accepted. That decision, Miller said, will be made by the conference, school presidents and chancellors. Calls to Kim Luckes, the acting president at Norfolk State, and MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas were not returned Thursday. Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian deferred comment to his athletic director and president.

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Friday, April 16, 2010

NSU Spartans' defense focuses on safety issues this spring‎

NORFOLK, VA - Backing up Terrell Whitehead wasn’t the most demanding job a Norfolk State football player could’ve had last season. The All-American free safety, who led the team in interceptions and passes broken up and was second in tackles, rarely came off the field. That left few opportunities for the No. 2 man , redshirt sophomore DeVonte Reynolds. “I’d get a couple of reps per game,” he said. “Mostly, I played special teams.”

NSU head football coach Pete Adrian said Dwight Fluker-Berry, 6-2, 200-pound senior, is one of the team’s most versatile players. “He’s not a bad cover guy, and he’s a big physical guy who can come up and make a tackle.”

Reynolds played them well, becoming one of the Spartans’ top kick-coverage guys. Now, he’s in the mix to replace Whitehead, a task that is considerably more challenging than being his understudy. “To replace Terrell, that’s tough,” he said. “He played all over the field and had great instincts. Me, I’m still learning.” The learning curve has been steep for both Reynolds and Dwight Fluker-Berry, who are vying for the starting free safety job. Reynolds has two years in the system under his belt. Fluker-Berry is returning to safety after playing receiver last year.

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Norfolk State goes for the beef; 16 players signed

Norfolk State signs 16, expects more

NORFOLK, Va. -- Norfolk State football coach Pete Adrian announced Wednesday the signing of 16 players to national letters of intent to play for the Spartans beginning next fall. The list released Wednesday consists of 14 high school signees and two junior-college recruits. The Spartans bulked up with the signing of eight linemen, five who project as offensive linemen and three as defensive linemen. NSU also signed three wide receivers, three defensive backs, one linebacker and one junior college quarterback.

"We're extremely excited about this class," Adrian said. "Especially being able to bring in eight linemen…it's not easy to get that many in one class, especially with the size and talent level of this group. That lays a good foundation for the program's future. We also signed some very athletic skill people and we got some much-needed experience at the quarterback and receiver positions with the junior college recruits." Following is a player-by-player breakdown of the class, with statistics, honors and Adrian's quotes on each. Adrian also said that he anticipates a couple of additional signees in the coming days.

Adrian Announces 16-Member Football Signing Class


















1. Tremondae Branch, DL, 6-1, 290, Flint, Mich./Carman Ainsworth HS. Notes: A first-team All-Big 9 selection…also selected to the all-state Division 2 team, the second-largest in Michigan. Adrian says: “Branche is a real physical player with good quickness off the ball. We’ll look at him as a nose guard, but he is also capable of playing tackle for us.”

2. Dionte Edwards, WR/KR, 5-8, 170, Norfolk, Va./Booker T. Washington HS. Notes: First-team All-Eastern District at receiver and second team as a utility player…tallied 1,400 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in seven games before suffering an injury…scored five TDs in one game. Adrian says: “Dionte has good speed and quickness not only as a receiver, but we’ll also give him the chance early to earn a spot in our return game.”

3. Montel Gamble, WR, 6-2, 190, Tarpon Springs, Fla./West Hills (Ca.) CC. Notes: First-team All-Northern California Football Association pick...had 26 receptions for 412 yards and three touchdowns…first-team All-Suncoast and honorable mention all-state class 4A pick as a senior at Tarpon Springs HS. Adrian says: “Gamble is a tall receiver who catches the ball across the middle. He has great hands, deceptive speed, and really attacks the football.”

4. Matthew Grant, DL, 6-4, 250, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson HS. Notes: Played defensive end and tackle for Boyd Anderson…also saw some time on offense at tight end…helped Boyd Anderson reach the state Class 5A regional semifinals. Adrian says: “Grant is a very quick defensive tackle who has only played ball for a couple of years. He has a great first step and fits into our scheme well.”

5. Darrin Marrow, DB, 6-1, 190, Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS. Notes: Recorded 30 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior…started three games at free safety and eight at corner…had four interceptions as a junior, when he helped Cox reach the playoffs for the first time in its 48-year history…also helped the Falcons make the playoffs his senior year…100-meter runner on the track team. Adrian says: “Darrin is a great high school athlete. We’re looking at him as a safety, but he can also play corner and possibly even receiver.”

6. Justin Myler, OL, 6-5, 270, Woodbridge, Va./Freedom HS. Notes: A two-way starter on the lines for Freedom HS…also a standout basketball player. Adrian says: “We think Justin will be a very good offensive tackle for us. He’s very athletic with good feet and long arms.”

7. Devonte Norman, LB, 6-0, 215, Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS. Notes: First-team All-Beach District and second-team All-Tidewater and All-Eastern Region…tallied 110 tackles and 18 sacks as a senior. Adrian says: “Devonte is in the same mold as (current All-MEAC Spartan) Anthony Taylor. He’s a very smart player, does a great job off the edge in the blitz game, and is very tough with a great motor.”

8. Charlie Ricks, WR, 5-11, 170, Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith HS. Notes: Led the Tidewater area with 59 catches for 996 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior…intercepted eight passes as a defensive back…first-team All-Southeastern District and All-Eastern Region at both positions…first-team All-Tidewater defensive back…named to the VHSCA all-state second team on offense…helped Oscar Smith finish 13-1, winning the district and Eastern Region Division 6 championships before losing in the state final. Adrian says: “Charlie is one of those guys who could score any time he touches the ball. He could get into our rotation as a freshman because he is a potential game-breaker.”

9. Edwin “E.J.” Rogers, OL, 6-4, 320, Alexandria, Va./Edison HS. Notes: First-team All-National District and honorable mention All-Northern Region offensive lineman…helped team to a 7-4 mark and a berth in the Northern Region playoffs…blocked for unit which ran for over 2,000 yards and averaged 330 total yards per game…all-academic team member...named team’s top offensive lineman. Adrian says: “E.J. is a big, physical guard who is light on his feet as a big man. We’re expecting big things from him.”

10. Ali Scott, OL, 6-4, 330, Portsmouth, Va./Churchland HS. Notes: First-team All-Eastern District on both sides of the line…second-team All-Tidewater as an offensive lineman…named team MVP…also plays basketball for Churchland. Adrian says: “Much like Rogers, Scott is an athletic player who should be a fine college guard. He comes off the ball like a truck.”

11. Dionte Sullivan, DB, 5-10, 170, O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon HS. Notes: A first-team all-conference and all-area selection as a junior and senior… tallied 55 tackles, five interceptions and 16 pass deflections as a senior…also played receiver, catching 28 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns...also a standout track athlete for O'Fallon. Adrian says: “Sullivan is a great man-to-man cover guy. Though he isn’t really big, he is a physical football player and runs a 4.4 in the 40.”

12. Nick Taylor, DB, 5-9, 175, Richmond, Va./Varina HS. Notes: A first-team all-district and second-team All-Metro and 2nd team All-Central Region pick as a senior…started 44 games in his career for Varina, one of the top teams in the state…four-time all-district and academic all-district selection. Adrian says: “Nick is a great athlete, a heck of a defensive back who hits well. He started every game since his freshman season at Varina, which says a lot.”

13. Chris Walley, QB, 6-2, 190, Tallahassee, Fla./Joliet JC (Ill.) Notes: Passed for a school-record 2,656 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore at Joliet…named to the all-conference and all-region second teams…was a first-team All-State 1A-1B player as a senior at North Florida Christian School in Tallahassee…enrolled at NSU in January of 2010 and has two years of eligibility remaining. Adrian says: “Chris is a veteran quarterback who makes good decisions on film. He is a drop-back passer but can also run the football.”

14. Nico Washington, DL, 6-4, 300, Waldorf, Md./North Point HS. Notes: First team All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference at both OL and DL…first-team all-county and second-team All-Met by the Washington Post at OL…honorable mention Big School All-State team selection at DL. Adrian says: “Nico can really run for a player his size. He has a lot of ability and could get into our rotation as a freshman.”

15. DeAnte Williams, OL, 6-3, 250, Hyattsville, Md./St. Johns College HS. Notes: Honorable mention all-conference selection…two-way starter on both sides of the line.
Adrian says: “We’ll look at DeAnte as a center because he has good movement for that position. He needs to get a little bigger, but he should develop into a very good player.”

16. Julius Wormley, OL, 6-5, 285, Yorktown, Va./Tabb HS. Notes: A first-team All-Bay Rivers and second-team All-Region I selection on defense...had 39 tackles and six tackles for loss despite missing a game due to injury…started on both sides of the line for the Tigers…helped pave the way for Tabb to average 370 total yards of offense per game. Adrian says: “Julius can play offense or defense, but he is just what we’re looking for in an offensive tackle. He moves very well and is an extremely tough kid.”


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Monday, February 9, 2009

Norfolk State adds receiver, defensive back

Norfolk State signed two more football players to its fall recruiting class Friday. Defensive back Denzel Coleman and wide receiver Derrick Demps signed with the Spartans two days after National Signing Day. NSU signed five players Wednesday. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Coleman played four years at Mays High School in Atlanta. He recorded 71 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries in his senior season. Coleman also ran sprints on the track team for the past two seasons.

Demps, 6 feet and 180 pounds, hails from Florida High School in Tallahassee. The third-team all-state Class 2A selection caught 42 passes for 743 yards with seven touchdowns last fall. Demps also returned an interception 75 yards for a score.

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Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band


National Signing Day Signees to NSU

Karl Butler, OL, 6-5/310, Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend HS. Was an honorable mention all-district pick as a senior. Adrian says: “Butler is very athletic and comes off ball well. He is excellent in pass protection.”

Quartez Carter, TE, 6-5/250, Spotsylvania, Va./Spotsylvania HS. Two-time first-team All-Battlefield District selection at tight end…also named honorable mention All-Region I as a junior and senior…selected to the all-district second team at defensive end in his final prep season…caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns as a senior…also an all-district pick in basketball. Adrian says: “He has a chance to help us right away. He runs well for his size, has good hands, and is big for a tight end.”

Kevin Leatherwood, QB, 6-2/205, Charlottesville, Va./Charlottesville HS. A three-year starter at quarterback for Charlottesville…missed most of his senior season due to injury…was an all-district and all-region performer as a junior, when he accounted for 2,000 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns…also the Jefferson District Player of the Year and an all-state selection in basketball as a junior. Adrian says: “Leatherwood is an exceptional athlete. He’s a smart player who throws the ball with good velocity and understands the game.”

Victor Martin, DL, 6-2/270, Fort Meade, Fla./Independence (Kan.) CC/Fort Meade HS. A second-team All-Jayhawk Conference selection last year…team captain…tallied 62 tackles, 12 for loss, and eight sacks…a first-team All-State Class 1A selection as a senior at Fort Meade HS, when he helped the Miners win the state title…redshirted his first year at Independence, and has three years of eligibility remaining. Adrian says: “Martin has a great ‘motor.’ He is tailor-made for our defense because he moves well and is always around the football.”

Cameron Williams, OL, 6-4/295, Alexandria, Va./St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes HS. A second-team all-state (VISAA) offensive lineman as a senior. Adrian says: “Williams is another athletic lineman who has excellent strength and movement.”

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Adrian has NSU Spartans surging

Pete Adrian, Norfolk State University head football coach is leading the Spartans ("we just want to compete") towards MEAC supremacy and a FCS playoff berth.

Norfolk, VA -- Strangely enough, we might be 18 or 20 years into the Pete Adrian Era at Old Dominion, had the Monarchs pulled the trigger on football back in the late 1980s. Instead, he glances across town as ODU's start-up takes shape while he builds a championship contender at Norfolk State — all without a trace of employee's remorse. A coaching lifer, the 60-year-old Adrian needed less than four years to turn a program that had become almost a punchline into one that again matters to alumni and fans, if not the entire Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The Spartans are 2-1 heading into Saturday's non-conference game at William and Mary, the first of a home-and-home arrangement with the Tribe, and Adrian is intrigued about what this meeting, and the coming years, could bring to the Spartans. It's why he wanted to come here when the job came open after the 2004 season. It's why he turned down Rhode Island, and overtures from others, last winter.

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Saturday, August 23, 2008

Former Norfolk State fullback adjusting well as linebacker

Excerpt:

Beach District football fans knew Eric Hitch as a fullback last fall. Norfolk State followers will see the First Colonial High School graduate primarily as a linebacker.

There's no question Dennis Brown is the Spartans' starting quarterback, but the backup job is for grabs, with Dexter Merritt and Rakeem Kersey battling it out. Brian Jackson, last year's punter who was a backup QB, is ineligible, though he's in school and hopes to return next fall.

It's the third week of practice and nagging injuries are beginning to take their toll. "We don't have anybody that shouldn't be ready to play" in the season opener at home against Virginia State on Aug. 30, Adrian said.

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Friday, August 1, 2008

NSU Tickets Available for Kentucky, William & Mary Road Football Games

Norfolk State University head football Coach Pete Adrian (Mark's Digital Photography)

By Matt Michalec, SID

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State University Department of Athletics has received a limited number of tickets to sell for the Spartans’ road football games at Kentucky (Sept. 6) and William & Mary (Sept. 20).

Kentucky Ticket Information
• Tickets are $35 each. A $3 processing fee will apply to all mail orders.
• The designated NSU sections are 113, 114, 115 and/or 116. If handicap seating is needed, please notify the NSU Ticket Center Representative when placing your order.
• Orders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, tickets will be sold until the allotment has been depleted. Full payment must be remitted when the order is placed.
• Sales will begin immediately. The last day to purchase tickets will be Friday, Aug. 22.
• Tickets can be mailed or picked up at the NSU Ticket Office.
• Begin Mail Date: Monday, Aug. 4.
• Will Call Deadline: Monday, Sept. 1.

William & Mary Ticket Information
• The tickets are $25 for sideline seats and $19 for end zone seats. A $3 processing fee will apply to all mail orders.
• If handicap seating is needed, please notify the NSU Ticket Center Representative when placing your order.
• Orders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, tickets will be sold until the allotment has been depleted. Full payment must be remitted when the order is placed.
• Sales will begin immediately. The last day to purchase tickets will be Friday, Sept. 5.
• Tickets can be mailed or picked up at the NSU Ticket Office.
• Begin Mail Date: Friday, Aug.8.
• Will Call Deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The NSU Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (757) 823-9009.

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