Stan Norfleet of the Virginia football team did not make a tackle in Saturday's win over No. 22 NC State. In fact, the junior linebacker has made two tackles in his college career. He was a part of the special teams unit that failed to down a Tom Hagan punt inside the NC State 5-yard line. He was not a part of any of Virginia's three important takeaways. But Norfleet had as much, or more, to do with the Cavaliers' upset victory over the Wolfpack than any other individual on the team by virtue of his inspirational pregame pep talk.
His speech's effect was evident in Virginia's swagger on the field. The defense, especially, played with an attitude and confidence befitting a true contender. Norfleet energized the team with his passionate remarks in a way no other teammate could have.
"For one, you have to understand Norfleet's position on the team," senior safety Jerton Evans said. "He plays special teams, but his heart toward his teammates is great. He reminded us that the biggest thing was playing for the guy next to you."
Evans has been enjoying the best stretch of play in his career and Saturday might have been his finest performance yet. He made eight of the hardest tackles of the season and threw a truly bone-jarring block during junior cornerback Almondo Curry's return of a Philip Rivers interception.
Freshman linebacker Darryl Blackstock, who provided a heavy pass rush on the Wolfpack's last chance at the end zone, cited Norfleet's importance in snagging this potentially program-defining win.
The win "means a lot," Blackstock said. "It shows how dedicated we are. Before the
game, Norfleet told us that we needed to play with a passion in our heart. That's all it took."
Junior cornerback Jamaine Winborne had four tackles, recovered a Wolfpack fumble at the Virginia 3-yard line, and defended three passes, including one on the game's final play when NC State wide receiver Bryan Peterson nearly came down with the ball in the end zone.
He, too, cited Norfleet's enthusiasm as an inspiration.
"Stan is a very emotional and passionate player," Winborne said. "You might not get everything he says. You can just look at his body language and know the passion in what he says."
Senior co-captain Angelo Crowell, who had nine tackles in the game, prides himself on his ability to motivate his teammates. He also joined his teammates in heaping praise on Norfleet's pregame speech.
"He gave us a lot of energy as a team unit," Crowell said.
It was manifest in Saturday's 14-9 win over NC State why Virginia has been rather unexpectedly successful this season. They benefited from large contributions from unfamiliar sources.
Sophomore Rich Bedesem led the team with 13 tackles. The starting offensive line that led the way for 197 rushing yards consisted of senior Mike Mullins, freshmen D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brian Barthelemes, junior Ben Carber and sophomore Zac Yarbrough -- some of whom barely registered on the preseason depth chart.
And most impressively, Virginia's sixth-leading rusher entering the game, Marquis Weeks, who trailed even Matt Schaub in that statistic, amassed 129 rushing yards on just 19 carries.
"Weeks was just symbolic of a lot of players on this team," Virginia Coach Al Groh said.
Groh has been impressed with everyone's effort and take-charge attitude. His players know their role, work within that and exceed expectations as needed. Weeks' running came when in the absence of Alvin Pearman. Norfleet stepped up vocally at a time when the team could have been demoralized after last week's blowout loss to Penn State.
"I just reminded the guys that a junior or senior may not be back next year," Norfleet said. "I just look around at the names on these lockers and saw what everyone has sacrificed for the University of Virginia. You're not just playing for yourself."
Norfleet is very aware of the tradition of the school and its football and wants to pass on his knowledge to the freshmen.
"I definitely think the young guys now know what it takes to go to a big-time bowl game," Norfleet said.
Perhaps it was recognizing a resemblance in himself of his younger teammates' vigor and excitement that prompted this speech. Senior linebacker Merrill Robertson counts his first game freshman year as his favorite Virginia football moment -- he particularly remembers Norfleet's spirit as the two of them jumped up and down in the tunnel leading toward the field, just excitedly yelling to each other how they had made it to the next level.
After having been named the No. 11 high school player in the state of North Carolina, Norfleet might not have envisioned his on-field experience at the next level being what it is. But don't think for one minute that he isn't proud of the accomplishments of his teammates and U.Va. football program that he so capably represents.
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