Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509110070
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Nothing tickled Virginia quarterback Mike Groh more than to hear last Saturday that Michigan had whipped Illinois 38-13.
``All week long, the commentators had been saying, `They're not playing Virginia this week,''' Groh related. ``I took offense to that.''
Groh said comparisons can be made between Virginia and North Carolina State in that neither program gets much respect. But, really it's not close. The Cavaliers get a lot more respect than the Wolfpack.
State has beaten UVa three years in a row, the Wolfpack will be playing the Cavaliers in Raleigh, N.C., and still Virginia is a six-point favorite for today's 4 p.m. matchup.
``I don't think either one of us has the national recognition that we would like to have,'' State coach Mike O'Cain said. ``I don't want to use the word `respect' because I think the people who play us and know us do respect us.
``If you ask Michigan, I believe Michigan would say it respects Virginia now.''
Nobody has greater reason to respect N.C. State than Virginia, whose postseason hopes have been dashed by the Wolfpack two years in a row.
In 1993, Virginia had its eye on a Peach Bowl bid before losing to the Wolfpack 34-29 at Carter-Finley Stadium. Last year, State knocked UVa out of a possible Fiesta Bowl spot with a 30-27 victory in Charlottesville.
``The game has gone a long way toward determining where we finish in the conference,'' UVa coach George Welsh said. ``Most of the time, it's been toward the end of the season, but we've got seven more [ACC] games after this one.
``It's an important game, but it's certainly not the end of the world.''
Welsh is certain that the Wolfpack will try at least one trick play, as they did last year, when fullback Carlos King tossed a touchdown pass on a fake field-goal attempt. And, he predicts State will throw the ball long as many as eight times.
Virginia's veteran secondary gave up 69- and 62-yard touchdown passes against the Wolfpack last year and has been beaten on several occasions this season. All-America cornerback Ronde Barber was victimized more than once in an 18-17 loss at Michigan.
``We're still mostly zone,'' Welsh said. ``We're not getting the execution out of the coverage and it's not just Barber. I'm not ecstatic about it. Maybe you're going to get beat deep once or twice, but not as many times as we've been beaten.''
In its past three regular-season games, Virginia has given up 16 completions of 20 yards or more, eight for more than 30. Part of the problem, Welsh said, is a false security that develops in practice.
``They know our receivers so well after the spring,'' he elaborated. ``They have a feel for our kids; then, all of a sudden, they're going against Michigan receivers. We're playing six wideouts and four of them can't run like Michigan's can. They can't even run like William and Mary's can.
``The offense sets its own pace. The defense has to react. Our receivers are tall and long striders, but they're not the quick, little kids. I'm not making excuses [for UVa's defensive backs]. If they want to play at this level, they've got to raise their level of play.''
Closer to home, Liberty will visit VMI at 1 p.m. in the first football game between Division I-AA schools separated by 40 miles. Almost as important as the score will be the attendance.
``We don't want to dodge anybody,'' said VMI coach Bill Stewart, whose team lost its opener 51-28 to Richmond. ``We're looking forward to a packed house. It has to happen economically for this game [to be a success].''
Liberty opened its season with a 76-6 romp over West Virginia Tech, a Division II team that serves as the opposition for Ferrum in its home opener at 1:30 p.m. in Rocky Mount. The Panthers, who lost to Division III power Rowan 31-0 last week, won at West Virginia Tech 10-8 last season.
At Emory & Henry, Washington and Lee will open its first season since 1977 without Gary Fallon as head coach. Frank Miriello has taken over for Fallon, who suffered a fatal heart attack in April.
``The cards are stacked against us,'' said Miriello, no doubt aware that W&L has not beaten the Wasps since 1982, ``but we have as good a chance as we've had in a long time.''
by CNB