Spartans go all green for home finale saturday

NORFOLK

Norfolk State is doing its part to save the environment.

The Spartans are going all green for Saturday’s final home game against Delaware State.

In the huddle following last Saturday’s 35-9 pounding of Morgan State, coach Pete Adrian rewarded the Spartans by telling them, “On Saturday, we’re all green.” The cheers following the announcement couldn’t have been louder had Adrian granted them an extra day away from practice.

Instead, Adrian was referring to the NSU uniforms. The Spartans will be wearing green shirts and green pants, instead of their traditional green-and-gold mix.

Other than the spring game, senior Don Carey said, “We haven’t done that since my freshman year, and we lost that game. You know how the coaches are about superstition. Four years, 42 games, I’ve waited to do it again.

“Play good. Look good.”

Scouts see potential

NFL scouts from Kansas City and Arizona had their eye on Carey last Saturday, and the senior cornerback delivered. The Booker T. Washington High graduate had a pair of interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, showing blazing speed when he raced 94 yards down the sideline, evading tacklers.

Afterward one scout, who asked not to be named, said Carey could be a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick , though he noted the difficulty in predicting a team’s needs.

“He needs to learn to cover the speed receivers, but he has no glaring weaknesses,” the scout said.

Spartans as spoilers

South Carolina State remains in control of the MEAC race at 6-0 in the conference with road games left at Morgan State and North Carolina A&T.

Norfolk State helped the Bulldogs’ cause by playing the role of spoiler to Morgan State. The Bears came into the game with only one league loss and could have captured the MEAC by winning out.

Adrian joked with Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough before Saturday’s game, saying he wanted a championship ring if NSU provided the upset.

“I’m going to call him later today and ask him about that,” Adrian said. “But really I want one with Norfolk State on it, not South Carolina State.”

Aiming for .500

This weekend’s game against Delaware State doesn’t have the aura of last year’s contest against the Hornets that pitted the two best teams in the MEAC. Both teams are out of the race.

Adrian reminded the Spartans there is still much to play for. In his four years at NSU, Adrian has a victory over every team in the MEAC except Delaware State.

“We’re playing a team we haven’t beaten and we’re motivated for that,” Adrian said. “Plus, it’s the chance for us to get back to .500 in the conference.”

If the Spartans achieve a 4-4 record in the MEAC it would be their second-best conference effort in 11 years in Division I. Last season they finished 6-2, with an 8-3 overall record.

On tap

ESPN College GameDay is going to Florida A&M on Saturday when the Rattlers (coached by Joe Taylor) host Hampton (coached by Taylor for 16 years prior to this season). It’s the first time an historically black college will host the national pre-game show, which begins at 10 a.m. The game is at 3:15 p.m.

– Vicki L. Friedman