Post by krazykev on Oct 3, 2006 4:46:47 GMT -5
By Rob Daniels
Staff Writer
GREENSBORO -- Wayne Campbell can't say he's totally settled because the extent of his role remains uncertain. But after a record-setting passing day at Norfolk State, N.C. A&T's redshirt freshman quarterback might have the chance to exhale, look over his surroundings and reflect a bit.
While it's generally not a good idea when blitzing linebackers are in pursuit, even a quarterback needs to pause every once in a while.
"I love this place," said Campbell, a transfer from Eastern Michigan. "It's fun. Great school. And as a football team, we're right there in trying to get over the mountain."
The mountain reference is appropriate. A&T (0-2 MEAC, 0-4) is on the longest losing streak in its football history, which dates to 1924. The next attempt to break it comes Saturday when Morgan State plays at Aggie Stadium, and Campbell might be getting most of the snaps.
Coach Lee Fobbs wouldn't promise -- "I'm pretty sure he'll have the nod," he said -- but Campbell's 20-for-31 passing day at Norfolk suggested that the Aggies can throw the ball at least a little bit.
Campbell has been waiting for calm for a while now. He was a high school junior in Port Charlotte, Fla., in September 2003 when his father, Wayne Campbell Sr., died four days after suffering a heart attack. Only hours later, Wayne Jr. led the Tarpons of Charlotte High to a 49-15 victory.
While awaiting test scores as a senior, Campbell thought he would follow his father's lead and go to Florida A&M. When he learned he had qualified academically to play as a college freshman, he signed with Eastern Michigan.
"Unfortunately," he said, "things didn't work out."
Campbell transferred after the school year and didn't get to A&T until preseason practice began. Others had spent spring practice in a newly installed offensive system, and Herb Miller was named the starter. Campbell learned whatever he could and got into early-season games in a relief role.
"It takes more than just a couple of weeks," he said. "We're going into the fifth game, and I'm just starting to get the feel for all my receivers."
The progress became apparent last week, when Campbell replaced Miller after the Aggies failed to produce a first down on their first five possessions. The rest of the way, the new guy threw for 219 yards, the most by an Aggies freshman. He connected six times with Andre Garth and five with Curtis Walls.
"We're taking steps to get better," Walls said. "It has been the same. We have a young team, but it's a matter of performing through all four quarters."
Red-zone efficiency remains an issue, and Campbell was disturbed by an interception he threw in the end zone Saturday on a play that began at the Norfolk State 14.
"I should have thrown the ball away and lived to see another day," he said.
"I feel I did all right, but I made a lot of mistakes and could have done a lot better."
Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rdaniels@news-record.com
MORGAN STATE AT N.C. A&T
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aggie Stadium, Greensboro
Records: Morgan State 1-1 MEAC, 2-3 overall; N.C. A&T 0-2, 0-4
Tickets: $25 reserved, $20 general admission, $8 children 12 and younger, $10 visiting students. Call 334-7749 or go to www.ncataggies.com
Staff Writer
GREENSBORO -- Wayne Campbell can't say he's totally settled because the extent of his role remains uncertain. But after a record-setting passing day at Norfolk State, N.C. A&T's redshirt freshman quarterback might have the chance to exhale, look over his surroundings and reflect a bit.
While it's generally not a good idea when blitzing linebackers are in pursuit, even a quarterback needs to pause every once in a while.
"I love this place," said Campbell, a transfer from Eastern Michigan. "It's fun. Great school. And as a football team, we're right there in trying to get over the mountain."
The mountain reference is appropriate. A&T (0-2 MEAC, 0-4) is on the longest losing streak in its football history, which dates to 1924. The next attempt to break it comes Saturday when Morgan State plays at Aggie Stadium, and Campbell might be getting most of the snaps.
Coach Lee Fobbs wouldn't promise -- "I'm pretty sure he'll have the nod," he said -- but Campbell's 20-for-31 passing day at Norfolk suggested that the Aggies can throw the ball at least a little bit.
Campbell has been waiting for calm for a while now. He was a high school junior in Port Charlotte, Fla., in September 2003 when his father, Wayne Campbell Sr., died four days after suffering a heart attack. Only hours later, Wayne Jr. led the Tarpons of Charlotte High to a 49-15 victory.
While awaiting test scores as a senior, Campbell thought he would follow his father's lead and go to Florida A&M. When he learned he had qualified academically to play as a college freshman, he signed with Eastern Michigan.
"Unfortunately," he said, "things didn't work out."
Campbell transferred after the school year and didn't get to A&T until preseason practice began. Others had spent spring practice in a newly installed offensive system, and Herb Miller was named the starter. Campbell learned whatever he could and got into early-season games in a relief role.
"It takes more than just a couple of weeks," he said. "We're going into the fifth game, and I'm just starting to get the feel for all my receivers."
The progress became apparent last week, when Campbell replaced Miller after the Aggies failed to produce a first down on their first five possessions. The rest of the way, the new guy threw for 219 yards, the most by an Aggies freshman. He connected six times with Andre Garth and five with Curtis Walls.
"We're taking steps to get better," Walls said. "It has been the same. We have a young team, but it's a matter of performing through all four quarters."
Red-zone efficiency remains an issue, and Campbell was disturbed by an interception he threw in the end zone Saturday on a play that began at the Norfolk State 14.
"I should have thrown the ball away and lived to see another day," he said.
"I feel I did all right, but I made a lot of mistakes and could have done a lot better."
Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rdaniels@news-record.com
MORGAN STATE AT N.C. A&T
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aggie Stadium, Greensboro
Records: Morgan State 1-1 MEAC, 2-3 overall; N.C. A&T 0-2, 0-4
Tickets: $25 reserved, $20 general admission, $8 children 12 and younger, $10 visiting students. Call 334-7749 or go to www.ncataggies.com
