DATE: Sunday, August 17, 1997               TAG: 9708170212

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Column 

SOURCE: Bob Molinaro 

                                            LENGTH:   66 lines

CAVALIERS' OFFENSE IS IN DIRE NEED OF A SPARK

Sparky Woods does not doubt that he's come to the right place. But for the University of Virginia's new football assistant, the timing could have been better.

It is Woods' job to coordinate an offense that appears to be missing just a few minor ingredients: exceptional speed, experience, a proven quarterback.

``The offense may have to huddle more often this year,'' Woods notes wryly.

Which is another way of saying that the Cavaliers will not remind anyone of a track team. Or perhaps, even a winning team.

At risk is U.Va.'s reputation for fireworks. The Cavaliers rang up 300 or more points in each of the last eight seasons. Over the same period, only eight other Division I-A programs (including Nebraska, Notre Dame, Colorado and Florida State) can boast the same level of production.

But Woods, who took over the offense after Tom O'Brien became Boston College's head coach, does not inherit 300-point personnel.

Gone to the NFL is Tiki Barber, the breakaway tailback with the back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Likewise, placekicker Rafael Garcia, he of the big foot and heroic field goals, is off somewhere seeking a pro opportunity. Two tight ends from a year ago also have moved on. As have most of the experienced beef up front. Even the loss of punter extraordinaire Will Brice will make U.Va. more vulnerable.

All this does is put more responsibility on junior quarterback Aaron Brooks, an unproven talent. Last season, in occasional appearances, Brooks threw one touchdown pass and seven interceptions.

``It's a concern I have,'' says Woods, who also serves as quarterbacks coach. ``It's a concern we all should have.''

The Cavaliers are relying on enough people who performed part-time duty a year ago that U.Va. could be mistaken for UPS. But Brooks is the main worry.

``I'm concerned,'' says Woods, ``because we open up with Auburn. And then we get North Carolina (two games later). They can hurt a quarterback's confidence.''

A year ago, when U.Va. was graced with gifted players on both sides of the ball (though no dependable quarterback), the team underachieved at 7-5. This season, the same record would be considered outstanding.

But then, Woods understands more than most how fortunes can change. In 1992, as head coach at South Carolina, he was runner-up for Sports Illustrated's Coach of the Year award.

A year later, Woods was canned. From hero to zero in one season.

When he couldn't find a job with an actual football team, Woods took the next best thing, an assistant's position with the New York Jets. That was followed by two seasons as an assistant at Memphis.

At U.Va., he realizes his job is not to tear up the offense and start over. A light touch will suffice.

``They don't need me to change anything,'' Woods says.

Speaking of changing things, Woods, 43, is not unaware of the reaction some people have to his name. His given name is Phillip, though only his grandfather ever used it.

``I thought when I got older and bald,'' Woods says, ``I'd lose the nickname.''

He believes Welsh would be more comfortably calling him Phillip or Phil.

``I think he thinks Sparky is a silly name,'' he says.

But Sparky it is. And why not? This season, more than any in recent memory, U.Va. football could use a spark. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Aaron Brooks, Virginia's starting quarterback, is a junior of

unproven talent.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu