ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 13, 1997 TAG: 9704140148
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY THE ROANOKE TIMES
Joe Williams' interception return for a touchdown gives the defense the edge in UVa's annual spring football scrimmage.
Almost a month past his 21st birthday, Aaron Brooks doesn't sound like a player preparing for his fourth year of college football.
``I'm excited to get my career off to a start,'' Brooks said following Virginia's annual spring game Saturday at Scott Stadium.
It was a telling remark from Brooks, who attempted at least one pass in every game last year, but spent the entire season as the No.2 quarterback behind Tim Sherman.
Sherman, a fifth-year senior, has completed his eligibility, and head coach George Welsh has stressed that Brooks is his quarterback and will be given every opportunity to succeed.
``I can't recall if he actually told me that,'' said Brooks, a 6-foot-3, 195-pounder, ``but, in a sense, I already knew it. I was the only one with any experience.''
Although Brooks completed only 10 of 26 passes, nobody was wearing a broader smile Saturday after the defense had prevailed 27-21 amid stereotypical April showers.
The defense was awarded points for stopping drives and forcing turnovers, and took a commanding lead when cornerback Joe Williams stepped in front of a David Rivers pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
Rivers, a redshirt freshman, was 8-of-14 for 129 yards, but was intercepted twice. Brooks often had to run for his life behind an offensive line that included only one starter from 1996, left tackle Doug Karczewski.
``I hope he doesn't have to scramble like that much,'' said Welsh, who was reminded that former UVa quarterback Shawn Moore was most dangerous when he left the pocket. ``I don't think we necessarily want that.''
Welsh hopes starters Julius Williams and Trevor Britton can return from injuries that kept them out of spring practice. If healthy, Virginia could have one of its biggest offensive lines, with the likes of guard Noel Lamontagne (6-4, 291) and tackle Brad Barnes (6-7, 294).
``My main concern coming into the spring was stepping up into the pocket and taking what people gave me instead of bailing out all the time,'' Brooks said. ``I think that was the word on me coming out of high school.''
Brooks kept his focus in connecting with Germane Crowell for a 36-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Crowell, who caught a touchdown pass from Brooks in the Carquest Bowl, finished with five catches for 81 yards Saturday.
Brooks said he senses there will be a greater emphasis on the passing game under new offensive coordinator Sparky Woods, although it was a sad day when former quarterbacks coach Joe Krivak offered his resignation.
``It brought tears to my eyes,'' said Brooks, who has remained in contact with Krivak since the coach's retirement to his home in Bowie, Md. ``He meant a lot to me. When Coach Woods came in, he had some big shoes to fill.''
While there was talk of changes in UVa's scheme, Brooks said he ``didn't worry about that one bit. The only change was that we might throw the ball more and I love to throw the ball.''
Wide receiver Demetrius Dotson said the Cavaliers had become more ``vertical'' in their passing game, but there were no major changes evident Saturday - at least partly by design.
``We didn't use all of our offenses and all of our defenses in case there were spies here,'' said Welsh, who stopped the proceedings following a Johnny Ponder interception with 1:52 left.
Welsh had said during the week that he was impressed with a walk-on running back, Kirby Mack, who had 46 yards on eight carries Saturday. Thomas Jones led all rushers with 14 attempts for 62 yards.
On defense, two of the most impressive newcomers were freshmen Byron Thweatt and Donny Green, both of whom had 11/2 sacks. Another freshman, defensive tackle Dustin Keith, had two tackles for losses.
``I don't know who stood out,'' said a rain-soaked Welsh. ``I didn't even know who was in the game some times; there were so many bodies out there.''
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY THE ROANOKE TIMES. Quarterback Aaron Brooksby CNB(left) and defensive coordinator Rick Lantz didn't let the rain
Saturday dampen their spirits after Virginia's annual spring
football scrimmage at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.