Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Norman's 3 picks put him in elite group

CONWAY -- Former Coastal Carolina corner Marrio Norman knew his brother was the most likely candidate to match his single-game interception record.

But three picks in one game? Even Marrio couldn't have imagined his brother, corner Josh Norman, accomplishing that feat as a sophomore. Josh intercepted three passes, including one in the end zone with 23 seconds left, to lift the Chanticleers to a 26-21 win over Gardner-Webb on Saturday.

"I knew he had a chance, but not this soon," Marrio said. "It was spectacular."

Norman's career day gave him seven interceptions this season, breaking Quinton Teal's school record set in 2004 and the Big South record held by Teal and Charleston Southern's Phillip Ashley. The Norman brothers and VMI's Christian Kelly are the only players in Big South history with three interceptions in one game.

If Norman's efforts against Clemson didn't open some eyes, his performance Saturday certainly will. Though he didn't register a tackle, he had three second-half interceptions against Gardner-Webb quarterback Stan Doolittle, who entered the game with just two all season.

"I ain't going to throw the ball over at him, because he's pretty good," Coastal coach David Bennett said.

Norman was in the right place at the right time for his first pick. On the first drive of the second half, Coastal safety Brandon Autry batted a pass into Norman's hands.

On the final two Gardner-Webb drives, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder did the work himself, outjumping the receivers to come down with the football. He was matched up with Gardner-Webb's top receiver, James Perry, on the game's decisive play, when Doolittle's pass floated, allowing Norman to gain position in the end zone.

"I just go attack," Norman said. "Just go and get the ball at its highest point. I had that knack for doing that in high school playing wide receiver. That knack just came back. I was just glad to make a play for our team."

Gardner-Webb coach Steve Patton wanted Doolittle to go in a different direction on the final play of the game, because he has plenty of respect for Norman.

"I think he's at least one of the two or three best defenders in the conference," Patton said, "if he's not the best."