THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 30, 1994 TAG: 9412300608
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SHREVEPORT, LA. LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
The sweat had not dried on one of the most successful seasons in University of Virginia history when quarterback Mike Groh began looking ahead to next year.
``I can't wait to get started again,'' declared the redshirt junior who climaxed a Cinderella season Wednesday night by leading the Cavaliers to a 20-10 victory over Texas Christian in the Independence Bowl.
Groh, who began the season on the bench, was named the most valuable offensive player in the game played on a muddy field in wet and windy weather.
The ninth victory of the season gave the Cavaliers arguably their best season ever.
Only two other Virginia teams won as many games in one season - the 1895 team that had nine wins and the 1989 team with 10 wins.
The '89 season, though, ended with a loss to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl, dropping the Cavaliers to 18th in the final Associated Press poll.
With a No. 18 AP ranking before Wednesday's victory, coach George Welsh expressed hope the Cavaliers will be in the top 15 in next week's final poll.
``This is a good team that has accomplished most of its goals,'' Welsh said after the Cavaliers captured their first bowl victory since 1986.
While Welsh was taking time to appreciate the spoils of this season, he also can look forward with anticipation to next year when Virginia well may be a Top 15 team again.
The biggest losses for Virginia will be on defense, which was the strength of this year's team and led the nation in rushing yards allowed.
Starters not returning will be end Mike Frederick, tackles Mark Krichbaum and Ryan Kuehl, linebacker Randy Neal, and safety Carl Smith.
The good news, though, is the Cavaliers had talented underclassmen playing behind each of the starters this season and may have a chance to be even better defensively.
Offensively, the biggest loss will be fullback Charles Way, who rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown in the bowl victory.
Darrell Medley, a redshirt sophomore, has played behind Way the last two seasons and should take over the starting job.
Two other big losses will be center Bryan Heath and wide receiver Tyrone Davis, who had a 37-yard touchdown reception against TCU.
Weaknesses that demand attention include poor kickoff coverage and the lack of a power runner who can get tough yardage near the goal.
As strange as it may sound, another situation to be faced in spring training will selecting a starting quarterback.
Groh seized the starting job when Symmion Willis was slowed by two separate hamstring injuries during the season.
Willis, also a rising senior, will make a bid to regain the starting job, and both he and Groh will be challenged by redshirt freshman Aaron Brooks of Newport News. Brooks, who sat out this season, has impressed coaches.
Groh virtually forced Welsh to give him the starting job this season with a knack for getting the Cavaliers into the end zone when Willis couldn't.
His performance in the bowl victory should also give him an inside track on retaining the starting job.
He completed 14 of 23 attempts for 199 yards and one touchdown despite the difficult playing conditions.
``That's what you have to do,'' Groh said. ``You have to make the plays, and my receivers did a good job of getting open on some broken plays.''
One of those was Norfolk's Pete Allen, whose 20-yard reception preceded the touchdown pass to Davis that gave the Cavaliers a 17-3 lead in the third period.
There is one other concern about next year.
Welsh may have to replace offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom O'Brien, who could be named the new Navy coach as early as today.
O'Brien is considered the leading candidate for the opening and has told friends he probably will take the job if he gets a suitable offer.
O'Brien, 46, is a 1971 graduate of the Naval Academy and was on Welsh's staff when he was Navy's head coach.
He has been at Virginia with Welsh since 1982. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Virginia coach George Welsh shakes off the Gatorade near the end of
the Cavaliers' 20-10 win over Texas Christian Wednesday night.
by CNB