Senior business major stakes his claim on NSU’s defense

By now, everyone has heard of Nicholls State’s All-American, Lardarius Webb. Fans have heard of him, NFL scouts have heard of him and opposing teams have heard of him.

However, senior Lance Moore has been equally as important to the Colonels, playing opposite Webb in the secondary.

After transferring with Webb from the University of Southern Mississippi, Moore, a business administration major, immediately saw playing time, starting all 11 games for the Colonels last season, recording 41 tackles (30 solo) with one interception returned for a touchdown against Southeastern.

In the Colonels’ season opener against the University of Memphis Saturday, Moore recorded two tackles and had one pass breakup in the Colonels’ 31-10 loss.

SportsNet caught up with the 22-year-old Leakesville, Miss., native to discuss Nicholls football and his life off the gridiron.

SportsNet: What are your expectations for the Colonels this season?

LANCE MOORE: I hope we can come out and compete and give ourselves a chance to play for the conference championship and get into the playoffs..

SN: What is the best part about being at Nicholls and playing for Coach Jay Thomas?

LM: Being here, I like the fact that the team is smaller than at USM so I pretty much know everybody. When the hurricane came and we did miss games, we kept in touch with each other and made sure we were all OK. Being a part of a smaller team gives me the opportunity I feel I need.

SN: What’s the hardest part about playing defensive back?

LM: You have to have a short memory. Sometimes it’s hard. You want to go out there and be the best. Personally, you don’t want anyone catching any passes on you, but if they do, you can’t let it get to you. It’s important to remember it’s a part of the game and you have to go out and play every rep.

SN: Who are your biggest influences both on the field and off?

LM: Football wise, I’d say (Green Bay Packers cornerback) Charles Woodson. He’s one of my favorite cornerbacks and he’s one of the reasons why I wanted to start playing the position. As far as off the field, I’d say my mom. She’s taught me a lot. She struggled a lot. I never knew my dad so she always worked for me. She gave me the hard-working mentality to come out, work everyday and earn everything you get.

SN: What is one thing you do before every game?

LM: The entire secondary gets together and prays before the game. We still pray as a team but we go out there and pray for the extra unity so we can all be on one page back there and that God can protect us so we can go out there and play to the best of our ability.

SN: What was the biggest transition you had to make between high school and college?

LM: Learning how to be a technician in the game or learning how to improve certain aspects. It’s different having to learn what’s good and what’s bad and what I had to improve on every game, every practice and every rep.

SN: Being in the same secondary as Lardarius Webb, teams will probably try to avoid him and throw toward you. Do you feel any extra pressure to perform?

LM: No, I really don’t. I tell them to bring it on. It’s a football game; it’s a competitive game. We are going to go out, line up every play and I’m going to do my best. At the end of the day all the matters is whether or not I gave my best effort. That’s all that matters.

SN: What song gets the most play on your iPod right now?

LM: Right now, I’m listening to the new Young Jeezy, some Lil’ Wayne and a little slow music on there to try and relax my mind before I go out on the field.

SN: What is your favorite team to play as on NCAA ’09?

LM: I actually haven’t played it. I’ve played Madden ’09 but haven’t had the chance to play NCAA yet.

SN: On that note, what is your favorite team to play as on Madden?

LM: I like to play with the San Diego Chargers. I play with them as often as I can.

SN: How is your Madden game?

LM: I think it’s pretty good. I don’t know if I’m good enough to hang with the Madden Nation guys but I’d like to think I’m pretty good.

SN: What are your plans after football?

LM: I want to get my degree and go from there. Right now I’m just worried about doing my part this season to help my team.

Lance Moore (24) chases down a scout player during practice. The defensive back has quickly made his mark at Nicholls with 30 solo tackles last season and two against season-opener Memphis. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER