THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 7, 1996 TAG: 9609070477
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: 131 lines
The billboards are in place. The media has been advised, and vital information is available to potential voters nationwide on the internet.
You want someone who is going to run hard? He's the man.
You want someone fast on his feet and a quick hitter? He's the man.
Bill Clinton or Bob Dole?
Neither.
Tiki Barber is the man.
The University of Virginia senior tailback is off and running this season for the Heisman Trophy, presented annually to the nation's outstanding college football player.
The 5-foot-10 Barber will be in the limelight tonight when the Cavaliers open the season at home against Central Michigan. He knows what has to be done to stay there.
So does Michael Colley, whose job this fall will be to keep Heisman voters aware of Barber's progress.
``Tiki needs to get off to a fast start, especially in the first three games,'' said Colley, a member of Virginia's sports information staff.
Barber will be trying to put up big numbers that will generate favorable comments from the guys at ESPN, and give them something to talk about when Virginia's fourth game, against Texas, is televised nationally Sept. 28.
It was a nationally televised game against Florida State last year that helped to whisk Barber into the run for the Heisman this season.
He gained 311 all-purpose yards, including a whopping 193 rushing, to lead the Cavaliers to a stunning 33-28 upset over the previously unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Seminoles.
``It was after that game I began hearing my name mentioned as a potential Heisman candidate,'' Barber said.
Barber had dreamed about winning the prestigious award while growing up in Roanoke.
``It is something every kid who plays football dreams about since it goes to the one that everyone thinks is the greatest,'' he said.
But he hadn't thought much about it at Virginia until last year.
Barber attracted little notice his first two seasons and was scheduled to back up senior Kevin Brooks last year.
Injuries to Brooks provided Barber the opportunity to move into a starting role and showcase his talent.
An orange-colored highlight page that Virginia has distributed to the national media claims Barber had the ``greatest all-around season ever by a Virginia running back.''
Colley provides the statistics to back up the contention, too.
Barber was eighth nationally with a school record 1,906 all-purpose yards, 14th with 14 touchdowns, and 15th with a school-record 1,397 yards rushing.
In fact, Barber, for the season, out-rushed 22 of the 108 Division I teams.
Barber, the twin brother of the Cavaliers' All-American defensive back Ronde, says he has worked hard during the summer to have even a better season this year.
``I can't live off last season, so I know I have to do it again this year,'' said Barber, who has bulked up to about 203 pounds, 10 more than last year.
``I think the extra weight is important for my durability.''
One of Barber's goal is to break Terry Kirby's career rushing record of 3,348 yards. He needs 1,319 yards to claim the mark.
A piece of cake, he says.
``I am expecting a lot out of myself this year, and that record definitely is within reach,'' Barber predicted.
The Heisman is a farther reach, though.
Barber is a long shot behind more visible favorites such as quarterbacks Danny Wuerffel of Florida and Peyton Manning of Tennessee, and even Florida State running back Warrick Dunn, whom Barber upstaged last season.
In sheer athletic ability, Barber is equal to any. But he has several disadvantages.
Among them is he plays for a coach, George Welsh, who would rather give his players a motivating kick in the rump than a pat on the back.
The media routinely has to pry compliments out of Welsh about even his star players.
Welsh has been a bit looser in complimenting Barber, whose hit-and-scoot type of running he compared last season to that of Dallas' Emmitt Smith.
Welsh has even endorsed Barber's Heisman run.
``He is one of the best backs in the nation, so he should be considered,'' said Welsh, who finished third in the 1955 Heisman balloting as a quarterback at the Naval Academy.
Barber, though, is not in any of the action snapshots on the front cover of Virginia's media guide. He is on the back cover, pictured with a teammate holding the championship trophy from last year's Peach Bowl victory over Georgia.
Barber was neither surprised nor disappointed his picture isn't on the front of the guide.
``That's not coach Welsh's style,''Barber said. ``He is more team oriented, so he tries to take the spotlight off one player and put it on the whole team.''
Despite its growth into a national power under Welsh, Virginia is still bashful when it comes to selling its student-athletes as heroes, too.
``We have done a few things to let people know Tiki Barber is a Heisman candidate,'' Colley said, ``but I am sure we don't do as much as many places.''
Barber was given his own section in the media guide, and the sports information office in the preseason passed out orange and white highlight pens inscribed, ``Virginia's Heisman Candidate . . . Watch for Tiki Highlights.''
Several billboards scattered around the state feature Barber, but they are geared to selling tickets instead of the Heisman run.
Meanwhile, Barber began beating his own drum in the summer. A friend helped him to set up his own ``Tiki for Heisman'' web page on the internet.
``I didn't start it, but I update it and everything on it I did myself,'' Barber said.
``It is fun, and a way to let people know what is happening.''
Barber, though, says he is not getting carried away with the Heisman run. He realizes he is a long shot and promises he won't be devastated if the campaign runs aground.
``I am not going to let it get to be that big of deal,'' he said when asked if he was prepared for the attention and distractions that such a candidacy might bring.
``I am going into it with the attitude that it is going to take care of itself if it happens. I am usually good about not letting pressure get to me.''
A strong run by Barber, who was named a first-team Academic All-American last year, could help improve the image of college football, too.
It has been 34 years since an Academic All-American (Terry Baker, Oregon State) was the Heisman winner.
Win or lose, Barber believes both he and Virginia have much to gain from the experience.
``I knew coming here that this university was not a powerhouse and we weren't going to win the national championship every year. But I have had the opportunity to do some things and the Heisman is just adding attention to the university and myself,'' Barber said.
``Even if I don't win, people are going to watch every Saturday to see how Virginia did.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Matt Gentry
U.Va.'s Tiki Barber shows off his Tiki for Heisman" web site. by CNB