THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411200172
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Virginia gave Virginia Tech an old-fashioned kicking Saturday on a sparkling autumn afternoon in Lane Stadium.
The Cavaliers, one-point underdogs, intercepted Hokies quarterback Maurice DeShazo five times, recovered three fumbles and limited Tech runners to 33 net yards.
The Cavaliers cranked up their own running game for 249 yards - 108 by Kevin Brooks - and quarterback Mike Groh threw for 146 yards without an interception.
But, most of all, Virginia just kicked Virginia Tech to death for the 42-23 victory that put it back in the running for a major bowl bid.
Virginia place-kicker Rafael Garcia booted a school-record five field goals, scored a school-record 18 points, and set another school record for most field goals (17) in a season. The sensational performance followed a terrible week of practice.
``He was missing all week,'' said Brooks, ``but he came through today when we needed him.''
The victory ended bowl-bound Tech's regular season with an 8-3 record, and left the Cavaliers at 8-2 going into Friday's ACC game against North Carolina State.
Virginia athletic director Jim Copeland said a win over N.C. State could make the Cavaliers attractive to several bowls, including the Fiesta.
Tech athletic director Dave Braine said the Hokies are likely headed for the Carquest Bowl in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The bowl representatives in attendance had to be impressed by a fired-up Virginia team that gave its best performance of the season.
``We came into this game with the right frame of mind,'' Welsh said. ``We wanted to go right after Virginia Tech from the start, and that is what we did.''
The Cavaliers were so jacked up that it seemed they might never let the Hokies have the ball. They went on three scoring drives, including a pair that ended with Garcia field goals, to take a 12-0 lead with 1:39 left in the first period, before the Hokies had a chance to complete a single offensive series.
After Garcia's first field goal ended the game-opening drive, Tech fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Virginia drove for another field goal.
Then, on Virginia Tech's second play from scrimmage, a DeShazo pitch to Dwayne Thomas was fumbled and Virginia linebacker Jamie Sharper recovered at the Tech 25. Four plays later, tailback Tiki Barber sprinted 14 yards for a touchdown.
Tech capitalized on a 73-yard kickoff return by Bryan Still and a Virginia fumble to strike for two quick touchdowns and a 13-12 lead. But the celebration by Tech fans among the sellout crowd of 53,157 was short-lived. Virginia replied with Charles Way's 1-yard touchdown run for a 19-13 lead and never trailed again.
The Cavaliers put the game away on a pair of field goals by Garcia in the opening seven minutes of the third period. The second traveled 50 yards for a 25-13 lead.
When Tech had to punt after only three downs, disgruntled Hokies fans booed the offense as it left the field.
``That was a tough day at the office,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said. ``I give Virginia credit. They executed extremely well, and that field-goal kicker, Garcia, really had a super game.''
Basically, Virginia's game plan went smoothly.
``We knew from watching films that DeShazo does not like to get hit, and if you put pressure on him he makes mistakes,'' Virginia linebacker Randy Neal said. ``We got to him early, and that was a big factor.''
Cornerback Joe Crocker followed his two-interception performance of last week with another double. But Crocker said DeShazo couldn't be faulted too much for his performance.
``I think he played a pretty heady game,'' Crocker said. ``He folded a couple of times under pressure and tried to force some things, but his offensive line wasn't giving him much time back there, and he didn't get any help from his running game.''
Virginia's biggest problem seemed to be the slick condition of the grassy surface. Safety Percy Ellsworth slipped on DeShazo's touchdown pass to Antonio Freeman in the second period, and Cavaliers runners slipped and slid through most of the first half.
``Our offensive line was opening holes, but it was hard trying to run because the grass was so slick,'' Brooks said.
Running backs coach Ken Mack told his players at halftime to take their time hitting the holes to make sure of their footing.
``That worked better,'' said Brooks, whose 2-yard touchdown run gave Virginia a 42-16 lead midway through the fourth period.
Welsh said he went primarily to a running game because ``that seemed to be the thing to do.''
Groh's passing balanced the offense, although he threw only 16 times.
With ace receiver Tyrone Davis nursing a sprained toe, Groh went more to Pat Jeffers, who had his best day of the season with six catches for 116 yards. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Virginia Tech's Tommy Edwards fumbles a kickoff return in the first
quarter. ``Some days, it's just not your day,'' Hokies coach Frank
Beamer said after Saturday's game.
Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Virginia's Tiki Barber struggles in the grasp of Virginia Tech's
Antonio Banks. Barber rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown.
by CNB