Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, August 30, 1993                   TAG: 9308300036
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WILLIS EXPECTED TO START AT QB FOR UVA

"We're pretty well down to one," UVa coach George Welsh said after the Cavaliers' final preseason scrimmage. "We don't know who the backup will be."

Welsh said he would inform the team Sunday night, although the players could have taken a hint.

"One guy got a little more work [this past week]," Welsh said. "We told him he's ahead. I'm not sure [after the scrimmage], but I've still got a pretty good idea."

Willis' chief rivals for the position are sophomore Mike Groh and redshirt freshman Tim Sherman. Willis, at 6 feet 4 the tallest of the contenders, was the back-up to Bobby Goodman last year before suffering a shoulder injury.

\ THE KICKING GAME: Josh Schrader, one of three candidates for the place-kicking job, dropped out of the competition due to groin and hip injuries.

Welsh said the kicker would be either sophomore Patrick Harkleroad or redshirt freshman Kyle Kirkeide. Harkleroad was UVa's punter last year.

"The place-kicking is better; it's whether they do it under pressure or not," Welsh said. "I feel pretty good about them and about [Will] Brice punting."

\ OFFENSIVE LINE WOES: Not only have the Cavaliers lost No. 1 right tackle Chris Harrison for the season, but two other projected starters have not played in either scrimmage.

"It's patchwork right now," Welsh said. "Hopefully, we'll have [Jim] Reid. He's due back [today]. [Bill] Edwards is still four days away."

Reid, a three-year starter at left tackle, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery for the fourth time early in preseason drills. Edwards, a fifth-year right guard suffered a broken bone in his leg during a pickup basketball game.

"The offensive line is in such disarray," Welsh said. "We've had more balls tipped, more balls knocked down [and] more quarterbacks chased than at any time I can remember."

\ DEFENSE PRAISED: Welsh said heat may have been partly to blame for poor execution in UVa's second scrimmage, when the offense was more successful than it had been.

"I don't know if we've slipped at all," Welsh said, "[but] the first unit on defense has been pretty good. I'd say that's been the best part of preseason."