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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 30, 1994                   TAG: 9411300053
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

UVA'S RONDE BARBER STARTS HIS ACC CAREER IN STYLE

Virginia defensive back Ronde Barber, who was not assured of a starting spot until late in the preseason, on Tuesday night was named the ACC's rookie of the year in football.

Barber, from Cave Spring High School, was the second selection from Virginia in the 20 years the ACC has named a rookie of the year and the first since wide receiver John Ford in 1984.

``This caps off the year,'' said Barber, who last week became the first Cavaliers freshman to be named All-ACC. ``This is something that people have been talking about since the beginning of the year, but a cornerback doesn't always get recognized.''

The presentation was made at the ACC Awards Banquet in Atlanta, where the All-ACC team was honored along with the coach, player, offensive player and defensive player of the year.

Fred Goldsmith was named coach of the year after guiding Duke to an 8-3 record in his first season. Conference rushing champion Rob Baldwin of Duke was named offensive player of the year and player of the year, and Florida State defensive end Derrick Alexander was named defensive player of the year.

``I'm going to see people like Derrick Brooks and Clifton Abraham [from Florida State], who I only would have dreamed of meeting a year or two ago,'' Barber said before Tuesday night's banquet.

Barber, redshirted in 1993, led the ACC and finished second in Division I-A with eight interceptions in 11 games. He also finished second in the ACC in pass break-ups with 11.

Barber had an interception Friday in the Cavaliers' 30-27 loss to North Carolina State, but was disappointed he couldn't make a play on the Wolfpack's four touchdowns, three of which went for 69 yards or more.

``I haven't seen the film,'' Barber said. ``I don't know when or if I will watch it. People tell me that it happens to everybody. I can only hope it builds character to experience some kind of rejection like that.''

Barber appeared to pull up Friday while giving chase on one of State's touchdowns and said one of his ankles has given him problems since the third game of the season.

``It's something I did against Clemson [on Sept.17],'' said Barber, whose late interception set up the Cavaliers' winning field goal in a 9-6 victory, ``but I don't feel I've lost that much quickness.''

Barber's twin brother, Tiki, finished as UVa's second-leading rusher and should return to action for the Independence Bowl on Dec.28 after a fractured shoulder blade kept him out of the regular-season finale.

``There are guys who are totally down about going to this bowl,'' Ronde said. ``One week we're playing a game with Sugar Bowl [or] Fiesta Bowl [implications], and the next thing you know we're headed to the Independence Bowl, but you've got to accept it.

``There are worse things in life, and from what I hear they treat you really well down there. We'll realize it in a week or so.''

by CNB