Gilmore named "Offensive Player of the Week" in the MEAC

NSU to host Savannah State on "Youth & Take A Kid to the Game Day"

Norfolk, Va.— Norfolk State wide receiver sophomore Howard Gilmore (Washington, DC/ Woodson HS) has been named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) "Offensive Player of the Week."

Gilmore had four receptions for 131 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown catch in the Spartans 31-21 win over Virginia State. NSU quarterback Dontrell Leonard (Newport News, VA/Warwick HS) also turned in a solid performance for the Spartans. Leonard completed 11-of-13 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown. Norfolk State amassed 360 yards of total offense (182-rushing and 168-passing) in the victory.

Redshirt freshmen Terrell Johnson (Newport News, VA/Warwick HS) led the Spartans in rushing with 63 yards on 15 carries in his collegiate debut. Junior college transfer Anthony Owens (Sun Rise, FL/Palomar JC) was equally impressive in his first game for NSU. Owens had two punt returns for 42 yards and two kickoff returns for 51 yards.

Defensively, seniors Jamal Naji and Marcus Gray had superb games for Norfolk State. Naji (Brigartine, NJ/Atlantic City HS) wrecked havoc on the Trojan offense, as he recorded one sack for a minus seven yards, one pass deflection, four solo tackles and three assisted tackles. Gray (Winston-Salem, NC/Carver HS) had one blocked punt, five solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and two pass deflections.

Norfolk State will return to action on September 14, 2002 as they host Savannah State on "Youth and Take A Kid to the Game Day" in Price Stadium. Game time is set for 7:00pm.

This will be the second meeting between NSU and SSU. Last year, Norfolk State defeated Savannah State 27-18 in Savannah, GA. William Smith rushed for 81 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns in the NSU victory.

Savannah State (0-1) is under the direction of first-year head coach Ken Pettiford. Pettiford, a 1974 graduated of Tennessee State has compiled a 32-45 record in seven seasons. The Tigers return six starters on offense and eight on defense to a squad that finished 2001 with a 2-7 record. Savannah State will face four MEAC teams (NSU, Delaware State, Bethune-Cookman, and South Carolina State) this season and loss their season opener 41-9 to Bethune-Cookman on August 31.

For more information on "Youth and Take A Kid to the Game Day, please call the NSU Athletics Department at (757) 823-8152.

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