DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 1997             TAG: 9710210443

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE:    - FRANK VEHORN

                                            LENGTH:   73 lines

U.VA. REPORT

After watching film

of game vs. Duke,

Welsh calms down

George Welsh was in a much better mood Monday than he was following Virginia's 13-10 win over Duke on Saturday.

An angry Welsh had said the game was his team's worst performance of the season and threatened to bench players responsible for mistakes.

A look at game film, though, convinced Welsh that the Cavaliers hadn't been all that bad.

Besides, he said, with so many injuries he doesn't have many options as far as benching anyone.

``I was really upset after the game, but since looking at the film I have to give Duke credit,'' Welsh said. ``Duke was ready to play and we got beat up front by some of their guys.''

The injury situation should improve for Saturday's game against Florida State as defensive back Joe Williams returns after a two-week absence.

Still no word, though, on the availability of tailback Antwoine Womack, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

U.Va. coach: key penalty

against Duke was proper

A look at the film also convinced Welsh that the right call was made when Duke's Chris Combs was whistled for a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that set up Virginia's game-winning field goal.

Welsh did not see the incident, but he said film showed Combs making gestures toward both sidelines after dropping quarterback Aaron Brooks for a loss.

Welsh said the no-taunting rule that went into effect three years ago was written specifically to address such gestures. ``The official had to make that call,'' Welsh said.

Bradley Faircloth, ACC supervisor of officials, also said it was an obvious infraction.

Cavs hope to maintain

streak against ranked foes

The Cavaliers will be trying to extend an impressive streak against No. 3-ranked Florida State: Virginia has beaten at least one higher-ranked opponent at home in each of the last four seasons.

The Cavaliers had won five straight home games against higher-ranked teams before losing to Auburn in the season opener.

That was Virginia's first loss at home to a higher-ranked team since a 13-3 loss to Florida State in 1992.

Offensive line merits

credit for halting sacks

The offensive line received low marks for its blocking against Duke but it did a great job of protecting quarterback Aaron Brooks, who was not sacked once.

It was the first time since last year's game against North Carolina that a Virginia quarterback had escaped being sacked.

In the first five games this season, Brooks had been sacked 12 times, including three times each by Richmond and North Carolina.

Maryland game on TV

Virginia will make its sixth straight television appearance of the season against Maryland on Nov. 1. It was announced Monday that the game will begin at noon and be televised by Jefferson-Pilot.

Saturday's game against Florida State will be televised by ESPN at 7 p.m. The Nov. 29 game against Virginia Tech also will be aired by ESPN.

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