THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996 TAG: 9609210540
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. LENGTH: 57 lines
The dark clouds vanished from the skies above the Virginia practice field this week. Coach George Welsh hopes that's a good omen for his struggling offense.
``This was the first week we had three days of dry weather, and I have seen improvement in the passing game,'' Welsh said.
``We caught the ball better and the timing was better. So, if we get some pass protection, I think we can throw the ball better this week.''
The Cavaliers, who play ACC rival Wake Forest today in a regionally televised game (WAVY, noon), have won their opening two games largely on big defensive plays.
While tailback Tiki Barber rushed for more than 100 yards in each game, quarterbacks Tim Sherman and Aaron Brooks have yet to throw for a score.
They completed only 5 of 18 passes and had three interceptions in last Saturday's win over Maryland.
Welsh believes the going will be much tougher for Barber against the Deacons if the passing game isn't clicking.
``We like to think we can run the football first and then throw when we want to, but I know we are going to have to throw it, and throw it accurately,'' Welsh said.
The Deacons limited Virginia to 107 yards rushing last year, but gave up 335 passing yards in a 35-17 defeat.
Welsh this week said he will continue to rotate the quarterbacks, with Sherman starting and Brooks relieving him in each half.
Neither quarterback has criticized the rotation, but some teammates say it would be better if one won the job outright.
``I would like to get it down to one so we don't keep switching throughout the game,'' senior center Tom Locklin said.
Locklin said he does not have a preference for who should be the quarterback.
``We are confident with both quarterbacks. They can both get the job done,'' he said.
Welsh said the quarterbacks are not fully at fault for the weak passing game.
``They have missed some open receivers, but at other times we've had balls dropped and the pass protection was not adequate,'' Welsh said. ``Both quarterbacks have good arms, but if they don't have pass protection they are not going to be any good.
``I think we are going to be a lot better offensively in the next few weeks, though.''
Welsh hasn't used injuries as an excuse, but they have hindered development of the offensive line.
Locklin, who is playing with a torn ligament in his knee, cannot practice regularly.
That has forced Welsh to juggle his only other experienced interior lineman, Jeremy Raley, between guard and center.
``It's not a good situation, but there is nothing we can do about it,'' Welsh said. by CNB