THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510260575
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
In spite of his continuous charge up the all-time receiving charts, James Roe's senior season with the Norfolk State Spartans will forever be remembered as ``the year that could have been.''
For the past four weeks, Roe has hobbled around on a sprained ankle, unable to push off with the cat-quick spring that normally personifies his game, incapable of sprinting past defensive backs, wary of making the flashy move that could lead to another eye-popping run downfield by No. 24.
``It's very annoying,'' Roe said. ``Sometimes I just sit and think, `If this ankle was healthy' . . . .''
And yet, somehow, he's continued to make game-winning receptions, keeping alive a streak of 14 consecutive games with at least one touchdown reception.
If he catches a touchdown pass Saturday against Johnson C. Smith - the Spartans host the Golden Bulls for homecoming at 3:30 p.m. - Roe will become Division II's all-time leader in consecutive games with a touchdown reception.
If Roe catches touchdown passes in each of the Spartans' final two games - Norfolk State closes out the season Nov. 4 at North Carolina Central - he will break the NCAA record for career games with a touchdown. He has caught scoring passes in 26 games, matching Jerry Rice's mark while at Mississippi Valley State in the early '80s. Wyoming's Ryan Yarborough set the NCAA mark two years ago with 27.
Roe's streak seemed in jeopardy when two defenders rolled over his right foot in the first quarter of Norfolk State's game at Delaware State four weeks ago.
The 6-foot-2, 192-pounder, who already had burned the Hornets on a 56-yard punt return and a 73-yard touchdown catch, limped gingerly off the field.
``At the time, I thought I could walk it off,'' Roe said. ``Then someone took off my cleat and it started swelling.''
He's been limping ever since.
``It's bothered him this long because he's continued to play on it,'' said Mitch Callis, the Spartans' head athletic trainer. ``He's about 85 percent right now. He still can't pull off that signature James Roe move where he slams on the brakes and makes people miss.
``But he's been relentless in his quest to stay on the field and keep those streaks alive.''
Undergoing physical therapy on the ankle four times a day, Roe has taken part in only two practices in the past three weeks. He is surprised he hasn't become exhausted during games.
But each Saturday, that sure-handed Roe has managed to show up and make some big catches:
Against Bethune-Cookman, Roe played sparingly and often was used as a decoy, but with the game on the line he caught a 5-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute remaining that lifted the Spartans to a 35-33 victory.
Still hobbled a week later, Roe hauled in seven passes against Hampton University, including a 7-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter in the Spartans' 23-18 loss.
Last week, playing in front of hometown friends in Richmond, Roe caught eight passes for 104 yards - the 20th time in his career he has eclipsed 100 yards receiving in a game - and three of those were for touchdowns.
Still, this isn't the same James Roe who in the third week of the season caught nine passes for 209 yards in a rainstorm against Livingstone, including an 87-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown.
The yards after the catches don't come as easy. Roe was averaging 25.7 yards per catch before the injury. His average since has fallen to 19.9. He can't shake defensive backs like he did on a healthy ankle. And returning punts, a specialty of Roe's before the injury, is not allowed.
``It's made me use my head more and think about what a cornerback thinks,'' said Roe, who is called `Noonie' by friends. ``I can't really fake anybody out right now. I've had to use my body as a shield and work on positioning myself.
``Maybe something positive is coming from this. Maybe I'm becoming a better receiver.''
He's already good enough to be mentioned prominently in NFL pre-draft chatter.
``One scout said he's everything you're looking for in a receiver,'' said Norfolk State head coach Darnell Moore. ``I like to use my Lex Luger description. James is the `Total Package.' ''
Moore knows NFL general managers will keep close tabs on what Roe runs in the 40-yard dash at the NFL's pre-draft combine in Indianapolis, where players will display their skills through a variety of tests.
``He can run a 4.5, no doubt,'' Moore said. ``But that doesn't matter as much as what you run in the game. I know a lot of guys with 4.6 speed who are great receivers.''
Roe intends to rest his aching ankle for two weeks after the season, then will begin conditioning for the big audition.
``I just want to get my chance and get into a camp,'' Roe said. ``I'm hoping, thinking and praying that my abilities will take me further.''
Roe's motivation is simple: James Roe III, his 19-month-old son, who regularly jumps into his father's arms as his dad walks off the field after Norfolk State games.
``I want to provide for him,'' said Roe, who is engaged to high-school sweetheart Orrhea Rene Ross. ``My mom and dad made it easy for me growing up. I'd have it no other way for him.''
An NFL contract would go a long way in that direction. But will James Roe III follow in his father's footsteps?
``Right now, he likes to tackle people,'' Roe said. ``He gets in a three-point stance and we say `Set, hut' and he takes off. He's looking more like a linebacker.''
Kid, just take it easy on Daddy's ankle for now. There could be a lot riding on it. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by PAUL AIKEN, The Virginian-Pilot
Lately, James Roe has had to rely more on his head, not his ailing
ankle, to find the end zone. ``He's been relentless in his quest to
stay on the field,'' head trainer Mitch Callis said.
by CNB