Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508300001
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: CF-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
1. Defensive line: Gone are fifth-year seniors Mike Frederick, Mark Krichbaum and Ryan Kuehl from a unit that ranked No.1 in the country against the run.
2. Middle linebacker: Skeet Jones, a starter for the first time as a fifth-year senior, takes over for Randy Neal, third on UVa's all-time tackles list.
3. Fullback: Charles Way was more than a terrific blocker; he rushed for 297 yards in the last three games of '94.
The only disadvantage in playing fifth-year seniors is that they won't be around too much longer.
That's what Virginia is finding out as it attempts to replace All-ACC defensive end Mike Frederick and his cohorts, defensive tackles Mark Krichbaum and Ryan Kuehl.
It helps that the Cavaliers already have been without Krichbaum once, when he suffered a broken leg last year in the first preseason scrimmage. That created an opportunity for Todd White, a sophomore with minimal game experience.
White started eight games and led the Cavaliers' defensive linemen with 69 tackles, including 13 for losses and 51/2 sacks. None of UVa's other defensive linemen had more than 53 stops.
It was revealed later that White, listed at 6 feet 1 and 260 pounds, played most of the 1994 season at 245. He has put on 15 to 20 pounds since the end of the season and is prepared to be the leader of a line that includes only one other returning starter.
Like White, 6-4, 260-pound Duane Ashman had statistics that compared favorably with those of his more celebrated colleagues. Ashman had nine tackles for losses, including 51/2 sacks, and three pass deflections.
Ashman and White will be joined by fellow fourth-year junior Jon Harris, a 6-8, 260-pound end who is UVa's tallest player in nearly 25 years. Harris, a former high school All-American who was recruited by Notre Dame, has spent most of his college career in Frederick's shadow.
``This is the chance I've been waiting for for three years,'' said Harris, who has five deflected passes and three blocked kicks in limited service. ``It was very frustrating, especially last year, when I felt like I was ready to play.''
Harris was named UVa's most improved player during the spring (``I'm glad somebody noticed,'' he said). He weighs 260 pounds, up from 230 as a freshman, but remains stronger against the pass than the run.
The final member of UVa's front four, 6-5, 269-pound sophomore Tony Agee, probably would have been redshirted last year if not for the injury to Krichbaum. His potential is greater than his strength at this point.
Freshman Maurice ``Mo'' Anderson started at defensive tackle in the spring game, but has had academic problems and will be redshirted. Fifth-year senior Eddie Robertson, who shared in four sacks last year, lends experience at end.
``We had three guys last year who weren't scared of jumping anybody's butt,'' said defensive coordinator Rick Lantz. ``There were certain standards that had to be kept. Right now, Todd's the only one we've got like that this year.''
White realizes he may see some of the double-teams Frederick and Co. faced last year and refuses to put any pressure on himself to make big plays.
``I don't want to be known as the big-play guy,'' he said. ``Last year, I just did what I was supposed to do in the scheme and let the plays come to me. When I try to do too much is when I get in trouble.''
Help on the way
Virginia signed 24 players, including defensive tackle Maurice Anderson, who enrolled for the second semester and started in the spring game but currently is ineligible. Players with the best chance of helping immediately:
Johnny Shivers, defensive tackle, 6-6, 247, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: Shivers picked Virginia after visits to Florida, Miami and Boston College. He was named an All-American by SuperPrep magazine at offensive tackle, but wants to play defense in college - one reason the Cavaliers were able to sign him.
Andreas Karelis, linebacker, 6-2, 221, Montreal:
Not only is Karelis the Cavaliers' first Canadian player in memory, but, at 20, he is older than the typical freshman. The No.2-rated football prospect in Canada last season, he joins a UVa linebacking corps that has no proven reserves.
Casey Crawford, tight end, 6-6, 228, Falls Church:
The Cavaliers held their breath when Crawford, a high-school All-American in football, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the free-agent baseball draft. Crawford has been compared to Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek.
Dwayne Stukes, wide receiver-kick returner, 5-11, 187, Baltimore: Stukes, son of former Baltimore Colts defensive back Charley Stukes, led the state of Maryland in all-purpose yardage as a senior. He has played wide receiver, running back and defensive back, but might provide immediate help as a return specialist.
They're special
It's hard to find a more distinguished kicking tandem in Division I-A football than Virginia punter Will Brice and kicker Rafael Garcia, both of whom will be juniors.
Brice's 40.5-yard punting average doesn't begin to tell the story. Only 11 of his 55 punts were returned - for a total of 18 yards - and nine left opponents inside their 10-yard line. Brice had nine punts of 50 yards or more, two of 70 or more.
Garcia, who originally attracted the coaches' attention for his kickoffs, led the ACC in scoring - he was only the second UVa player to do so - and set a school record with five field goals in a 42-23 victory over Virginia Tech.
Change of heart
UVa offensive tackle Chris Harrison, winner of the Brian Piccolo Award as the ACC's most courageous player, almost didn't come back for a rare sixth year.
Harrison, who broke his right leg in UVa's first preseason scrimmage in 1993, started every game last year. The rod-reinforced leg held up, but unrelated knee problems had him thinking retirement in February.
Head coach George Welsh allowed Harrison to skip spring practice and declined to issue any ultimatums. By the end of spring ball, Harrison was starting to feel spry and leaving hints he might return.
When UVa originally made its appeal on behalf of Harrison, it was thought the leg injury might keep him out for two years. The NCAA gave him an unconditional sixth year in the spring of 1994.
VIRGINIA AT A GLANCE
COACH: George Welsh (89-59-3, 13 years at Virginia; 144-105-4, 22 years overall).
1994 RECORD: 9-3 overall (Independence Bowl), 5-3 ACC (tied for third).
KEY LOSSES: WR Tyrone Davis, C Bryan Heath, FB Charles Way, DE Mike Frederick, DT Mark Krichbaum, DT Ryan Kuehl, LB Randy Neal, DB Carl Smith.
RETURNING STAR-TERS: WR Petey Allen, TE Bobby Neely, OT Jason Augustino, OT Chris Harrison, G Jeremy Raley, G John Slocum, QB Mike Groh, RB Kevin Brooks, K Rafael Garcia, DE Duane Ashman, DT Todd White, LB James Farrior, LB Jamie Sharper, DB Ronde Barber, DB Joe Crocker, DB Percy Ellsworth, P Will Brice.
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: WR Patrick Jeffers, C Dave Gathman, RB Tiki Barber, FB Darrell Medley, DT Tony Agee, DT Jon Harris, DB Paul London, DB Anthony Poindexter.
HONORS CANDI-DATES: Jeffers, Neely, Harrison, Groh, Garcia, Farrior, Sharper, R.Barber, Ellsworth, Brice.
KEY POSITION SWITCHES: None.
STAFF CHANGES: Jerry Petercuskie replaces Larry New as coach of the defensive tackles. Petercuskie most recently was the defensive coordinator at Liberty; New went to Georgia Tech.
by CNB