THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610030529
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 63 lines
If there is a simple answer to Norfolk State's improvement on defense, it stems from a switch in philosophy: The Spartans have gone on the offensive with their defense.
``We're not sitting back and waiting anymore,'' Norfolk State head coach Darnell Moore said. ``We talked in the spring about pressure being the thing we had to do and that's the key to our better pass defense this year.''
After five games, the Spartans (4-1) have 13 interceptions, which is only four less than they had all last season. NSU also has 17 sacks, equalling last year's season total.
Leading the sack attack are middle linebacker Robert Johnson and defensive tackle John Green, each with 4 1/2. Outside linebacker Andre Nixon has 4.
``I thought back to the things we did at Wilson (High),'' said Moore, who won state titles there in 1989 and 1991. ``Our defenses there flocked to the ball and I've always believed the more guys you have going to the ball, the better you do.''
FRESHMAN ON LINE: Norfolk State plans to redshirt most of its freshman class, allowing the players an extra year to mature before starting their college careers. But one player who doesn't need that extra year is Travoris Carnes.
The 6-foot-1, 300-pound defensive tackle is getting increased playing time with every game. Moore anticipated Carnes making an early impact, particularly after watching film of him when the Spartans were still evaluating Carnesas a potential recruit.
``He took on a blocker and the ball was thrown outside on a screen play, so Travoris turns and jumps over another blocker and brings the ball carrier down from behind,'' Moore said. ``I didn't have to see much more film of him to know we wanted him.''
Carnes, from Hazelwood East High in St. Louis, would have played in this season's opener against Virginia State, but his freshman eligibility had not been OK'd by the NCAA's Clearing House. Once he was ruled eligible, he was immediately playing.
While Green is a senior and will be a big loss for the Spartans, Moore is excited about the Spartans' future defensive front. Expected to join Carnes up front next season is Deon Johnson, a 6-3 1/2 defensive tackle who Moore says weighs ``400-and-space.''
``Our scale goes up to 400,'' Moore said. ``After that, you push the weight bar across space to make it level. But this kid isn't that fat. He's just really, really big.''
QB UPDATE: Moore said that 6-2, 215-pound freshman Freddie Parker from Burlington, N.C., will be redshirted this season and will get his first opportunity to compete for the quarterback job in spring drills. According to Moore, it'll be a three-way competition and should be the most competitive battle for the position in three years.
``Freddie has some mechanical things with his release that we'll need to work on in spring drills,'' Moore said. ``But he could be a good one.''
Junior Robert Morris, this year's starter, will obviously hold the advantage.
But a third quarterback, Maurice Selby, could also contend. The 6-3, 185-pounder out of Baltimore is out this year after not meeting NCAA freshman eligibility standards. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Linebacker Andre Nixon (4 sacks), left, and defensive tackle John
Green (4 1/2) lead the Spartans defensively. by CNB