THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 29, 1995 TAG: 9512290691
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Georgia quarterback Mike Bobo has not regained enough strength and mobility in the leg he broke on Sept. 23 to play against Virginia in the Peach Bowl on Saturday night.
Bobo had been practicing in the hope of playing in the game, but offensive coordinator Wayne McDuffie said Bobo, a sophomore, definitely would not play.
``If he had gotten back to 75 or 80 percent, we might have played him, but he hasn't done that,'' McDuffie said.
Sophomore Hines Ward will start at quarterback, although he has a fractured bone in his left wrist.
Hines started the final three regular season games at quarterback as the Bulldogs finished 6-5, beating Georgia Tech in the last game, to win the Peach Bowl bid.
Hines also played flanker and scatback during the season.
U.VA. INJURIES: The Cavaliers won't be at full strength for the game, either.
Defensive end Jon Harris is definitely out with a bruised thigh and safety Paul London may not play because of a sprained knee.
Harris had 47 tackles, eight sacks, and blocked an extra point this season.
THANKS, BUT: Percy Ellsworth is appreciative of the recent honors that have come his way, but the Virginia defensive back says he doesn't put much stock in them.
The senior from Drewryville was named to the Football News All-America first team and The Associated Press All-America second team, as well as All-ACC first team.
``My first three years I didn't make even honorable mention All-ACC,'' Ellsworth said, ``and now I am making All-America teams. I wonder about that. How do you go from being nothing to being All-American?''
It may have been his six interceptions for the season and being named National Defensive Player of the Week by The Sporting News after Virginia's nationally televised win over Florida State.
Ellsworth says he is still bothered by getting beat on Virginia Tech's game-winning pass in the final regular-season game, but he no longer blames himself for the loss.
``I wasn't the sole reason we lost, but it still was a play I should have made,'' he said.
ON THE ROAD: Virginia coach George Welsh has spent more time on the road recruiting than ever before in December. He's even missed four or five practices to court prospects.
``There was a time I wouldn't miss a practice to recruit, but players are making decisions earlier and if they want me at their house or school, I have to be there,'' Welsh said.
Welsh hopes to sign 16-18 players, with the priority at the skill positions.
LIKES STREAK: Welsh might dislike Virginia's streak of intercepting passes in 28 straight games, but defensive coordinator Rick Lantz thinks it is great.
``If we had won 28 straight games, I think we'd want to keep the streak going,'' Lantz said.
``I think you'd want any positive streak to continue.''
Welsh said during the season he thought some of his players were thinking too much about the streak and hoped the streak would end without costing the team a victory. by CNB