THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509030196
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Virginia shot out to a 23-0 lead and then flipped into cruise control to ride out an unemotional 40-16 victory over William and Mary Saturday night at Scott Stadium.
The final margin, capped by freshman Terrence Wilkins' 1-yard run with eight seconds left, may be sufficient for the heavily favored Cavaliers to retain their No. 17 national ranking.
But Virginia did not look like a No. 17 team through much of its farewell game against the Division I-AA Tribe.
``I am not very happy about the way we played,'' coach George Welsh said. ``We did a lot of bad things.'' But just why his team started going through the motions, awakening a few couple of times for much-needed big defensive plays, Welsh could not say.
Maybe it was too much to expect the Cavaliers to be sky-high after last week's final-play loss to Michigan. Maybe Virginia simply didn't take the Tribe seriously enough.
Welsh just hoped it was not because they got off to a big lead and got too satisfied with themselves.
``If that is true, and I'm not sure it is, we have a lot of growing up to do,'' Welsh said. ``I thought we were mentally sharp at the beginning, but we didn't stay that way.''
The Cavaliers jumped on the scoreboard in the first three minutes on a seven-yard run by tailback Kevin Brooks.
A 35-yard field goal by Raphael Garcia, a blocked punt that Wilkins recovered in the end zone and a 62-yard pass from Mike Groh to Derick Byrd produced the 23-0 lead at the end of the first period.
But if a crowd estimated at 38,300 thought they were in for a rout, they were mistaken.
In the final three periods, it was Virginia 17, William and Mary 16.
While the Cavaliers' offense looked uninspired after the first period, it could have been because they were given an uninspiring script to follow.
North Carolina State, next week's opponent, won't see much it didn't already know in films of this game.
``We were running pretty basic, simple stuff,'' Groh said. ``I feel that we are holding a lot back.''
``Still, you have to give William and Mary credit. They hung in there,'' added Groh, who left the game with seven minutes remaining after bruising his ribs.
In addition to losing two fumbles and one interception, Virginia was whistled for 10 penalties.
``I can't understand that,'' Welsh said. ``We were called three times for holding on running plays. I am going to have to look at the film.''
William and Mary left their last scheduled visit to Scott Stadium with their pride intact.
And the Tribe left the Cavaliers eager to get back on the practice field and cure their problems before an important game against North Carolina State next week.
``We didn't play as well as we could, and we've got to work to get better,'' Groh said.
The defense will huddle for some inspiration, too.
The defense was was touched for 213 yards passing and 75 yards rushing, but ended some Tribe drives, too. Percy Ellsworth made a key interception to set up Tiki Barber's 18-yard touchdown sprint in the opening minutes of the fourth period for a 33-10 lead.
Linebacker Jamie Sharper cut short the Tribe's next possession with an interception, too, but Virginia gave the ball back on a fumble by Tiki Barber.
The Tribe took advantage to score its final touchdown with 7:42 remaining on a 32-yard pass from Matt Byrne to Terry Hammons. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Virginia's James Farrior, center, blocks Steve Fill's punt. Anthony
Poindexter, left, assists. U.Va. fell on it for a TD.
by CNB