ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611050024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
Virginia can strike Tiki Barber as a possible solution to its quarterback problems.
Barber won't soon forget his first collegiate passing attempt, which sailed over the head of Bryan Owen in the third quarter Saturday at Duke.
``I'll be kicking myself real hard when I see that on tape,'' said Barber, who had not thrown a pass in a game since he was a senior at Cave Spring High School in 1992.
Barber took a pitch from quarterback Tim Sherman, stopped at the Duke 30-yard line and spotted Owen, who was alone at the 5. Barber's form was fine; in fact, it had more zing than several of Sherman's efforts.
``It was a good pass,'' Barber said. ``It just wasn't on target.''
That was the kind of day it was for Barber, who had 198 all-purpose yards, but had punt returns of 82 and 33 yards nullified by penalties.
Virginia apparently had been working on the tailback pass for several weeks, although some observers were surprised to see it when the Cavaliers were ahead 27-0.
``At least, now they have to defend it,'' said UVa coach George Welsh, whose team finishes the regular season with games against Clemson, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
WHATEVER
Welsh wore a look of bemusement and tossed his hat in the air when he saw Duke attempt the field goal with 1:07 remaining that enabled the Blue Devils to avoid a shutout in a 27-3 loss.
``Yeah, it surprised me,'' Welsh said, ``but, it's [Duke coach Fred Goldsmith's] choice. Whatever.''
UVa defensive coordinator Rick Lantz said he had no qualms with Duke going for the field goal. Minutes earlier, the Blue Devils had gone for a touchdown - and failed - on fourth-and-three from the UVa 4.
BY THE NUMBERS
Barber became the first Virginia player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Terry Kirby, the only other player to do it twice, performed the feat in 1990 and 1992.
Virginia clinched its 10th straight winning season with the victory. The Cavaliers have won at least seven games in nine consecutive seasons.
Saturday's victory was UVa's 12th in a row in non-televised games. The Cavaliers are 38-1 in non-TV games since 1989.
INJURY REPORT
Mike Kelly, a fifth-year senior, made the first start of his career Saturday at right offensive tackle. Julius Williams, the regular, suffered a sprained ankle in practice but should be close to 100 percent by next week.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Cavaliers (6-2 overall, 4-2 ACC) will entertain Clemson (5-3, 4-2) at 3:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium next Saturday in a game that will be televised regionally by ABC. Clemson defeated Maryland 35-3 on Saturday for its third win in a row.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB