THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 24, 1994 TAG: 9410240135
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ED MILLER
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
At this point last season, Norfolk State was 3-4-1 and had three games to play. The opponents were Kentucky State, which was 0-8; Johnson C. Smith, which was 2-7; and Bethune-Cookman, which had dropped six in a row.
Three winnable games. Very winnable.
But the Spartans found ways to lose all three, and instead of going 6-4-1, finished 3-7-1.
Fast forward a year, and the Spartans are 4-3 and have three games left. The opponents: old friends Johnson C. Smith and Kentucky State, plus Lane College, a team Norfolk State beat, 54-6, last season.
Look familiar?
It certainly does, but look for Norfolk State to do it right this time. Barring major injuries, there's no reason to expect the type of collapse that occurred last year.
For one thing, the players are aware they can't take anything for granted.
``We're playing teams with nothing to lose,'' said tailback John Quinerly. ``We can't let up.''
For another, this team has avoided the off-the-field turmoil that engulfed last year's team. It was at this point last year that problems that had been bubbling all season boiled over. Quarterback Aaron Sparrow quit the team, accusing coach Archie Cooley of verbal abuse and unfair treatment. A couple of days later, reserve running back Gerrod Mayo also blasted Cooley.
Both players came back, but the damage was done.
This year, under coach Darnell Moore, the news has been confined to the field.
``I think the difference is team chemistry, and attitude,'' said fullback Stanley Johnson. ``It's totally different.''
Look for the final three games to be different as well. by CNB