THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510260576
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
At the beginning of the season, Norfolk State's coaching staff had high hopes for strong safety Theo Roach.
While Roach struggled at times, his performance Saturday in Norfolk State's 58-32 victory over Virginia Union was indicative of what the Spartans expected from the freshman transfer from Western Carolina.
Roach picked off a Don Ruffin pass in the first quarter, was credited with half a sack in the second quarter, then provided more theatrics in the third quarter when he broke up a screen pass with a ferocious hit on Pete Campbell and, on the next play, recovered a Ruffin fumble.
``He's really come into his own in the last three games,'' said Norfolk State coach Darnell Moore. ``He's been doing things I thought he could do all along. With the way he's played recently, the way a couple other young guys (Robert Weaver and Jason Reeves) have played and the fact that we are redshirting a couple other guys, we won't be recruiting any defensive backs for next year.''
Unfortunately, Roach twisted an ankle last week on the fumble recovery and watched the rest of the Virginia Union game from the sidelines. ``An interception, a big hit, a fumble recovery and a sprained ankle,'' Roach said. ``Three out of four ain't bad.''
Roach is questionable for Saturday's homecoming game against Johnson C. Smith (Foreman Field, 3:30 p.m.), but the Spartans should have Reeves back after the defensive back missed last week's game with a bruised shoulder.
QUICK HIT: After climbing to No. 13 in the NCAA Division II national poll, Virginia State has circled Nov. 12 on its calendar. That's when Division II playoff berths will be announced.
The Trojans (7-1), who have assured themselves no less than a tie for the CIAA regular season title, close out their regular season by hosting Virginia Union this Saturday and visiting Winston-Salem State on Nov. 11 after a week off. Those two opponents have combined for two victories this season.
The Trojans plan a news conference and celebration 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Colson Auditorium to coincide with the playoff announcements.
GOING BOWLING? Moore said quarterback Aaron Sparrow and wide receiver James Roe should receive invitations in the next few weeks to play in the Snow Bowl, an all-star game for Division II players.
The game, played Jan. 13 at the Fargo Dome in North Dakota, will be aired nationally on cable by Prime Network.
With the Spartans playing a 10-game schedule that ends Nov. 4 and with no chance of making the playoffs - Norfolk State's application for Division I-AA status excludes the program from Division II playoff consideration - Sparrow and Roe are limited in their amount of national exposure.
Snow Bowl executive director Ross Fortier estimates that 15 former Snow Bowl participants now play in the NFL. The Snow Bowl is in only its third season.
``Many of the players have contacted me and told me they might not be where the are right now without the Snow Bowl,'' Fortier said. ``There should be about 50 pro scouts at the game.''
Moore said he's also still hoping for invitations from other postseason all-star games, adding that there are no limits to how many a player can participate in.
``We'd love to get these guys in the Blue-Gray Game or the Senior Bowl,'' Moore said. ``But if those games don't invite Aaron or James, it's their loss.''
Other possible senior all-star games: the East-West Shrine Game and the Hooters Hula Bowl.
NOTES: Elizabeth City State has concluded its CIAA games for the season and closes out the slate against Hampton University, Knoxville College and Grambling, with the Hampton and Grambling games on the road. . . .
Norfolk State's trio of preseason All-CIAA players, - Sparrow, Roe and offensive tackle Kenny McDaniel - swept CIAA offensive player of the week awards at their positions. Other players of the week included N.C. Central's James Grant (defensive line), Fayetteville State's Cedric Gordon (defensive back), Bowie State's Shamar Foster (newcomer) and Virginia State's Lou Anderson (coach). by CNB