THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410180497
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Not all of the Virginia Cavaliers were delighted to be included in this week's national rankings.
Virginia, which had not been ranked since losing to Florida State in the opening game, was rated No. 25 in the AP poll and No. 22 in the coaches' poll following its fifth straight victory last Saturday.
Too bad, says center Bryan Heath.
``I didn't want to be ranked until the end of the season,'' he said. ``I wanted people to keep overlooking us. I like being the underdog.''
But linebacker Randy Neal said he thinks it's about time the Cavaliers received national attention.
``I don't think anyone will be content just to be ranked, either,'' Neal said. ``We still want to prove we deserve to be higher than we are now.''
SELLOUT: The North Carolina game is the second sellout in three home games for the Cavaliers. This time, the players are hoping everyone shows up.
The other sellout was against Clemson, but about 2,000 seats in Scott Stadium were not occupied.
``It would really be great if the stadium was three-fourths full when we come out for warmups,'' Neal said. ``Maybe this time the crowd will give us a jolt instead of us giving them one.''
RANKED NO. 1: The Virginia defense, which has given up a net minus 2 yards on the ground the last two games, ranks No. 1 in the nation in rushing defense.
The Cavaliers are yielding only 53.5 rushing yards per game.
Virginia held Wake Forest to minus 21 yards two weeks ago and Georgia Tech to 19 yards last Saturday.
The Cavaliers also rank 10th nationally in scoring defense and 20th in total defense.
The defense has had 18 quarterback sacks the last three games, compared to 19 in all 11 games last season.
SCORING MACHINE: Virginia has now scored in a school-record 122 consecutive games. The last time the Cavaliers failed to score was in a 55-0 loss to Clemson to begin the 1984 season.
The streak is the current longest among ACC teams, including Florida State.
50 FOR WELSH: The 24-7 victory over Georgia Tech was the 50th ACC win for the Cavaliers under George Welsh.
Only the fifth coach in ACC history to win 50 league games, Welsh now has a 50-34-3 record in the conference.
INJURY UPDATE: Quarterback Symmion Willis, who missed the win over Georgia Tech because of a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable for the Carolina game.
If Willis can get in two days of solid practice, Welsh said, he could possibly return to his starting role.
Mike Groh, who directed the win over Tech, continues to lead the ACC in passing efficiency and is ranked 13th nationally.
Tailback Kevin Brooks (bruised shoulder) and linebacker Skeet Jones (bruised knee) are expected to play. by CNB