THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 1996 TAG: 9610220410
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: 68 lines
Joe Williams was in the starting lineup last year when Virginia made ACC history by handing Florida State its first loss in the league.
Williams, a defensive back from Chesapeake's Indian River High School, expects plenty of playing time Saturday when the Cavaliers try to make it two in a row over the Seminoles. But it won't be as a starter.
After battling a nagging groin injury most of the season, Williams is only now back to full health.
The injury came in the second half of the opening game against Central Michigan, which he started. The slow healing process kept him out of three games. He was in for one play in the loss to Georgia Tech but saw considerable action in last Saturday's win over North Carolina State.
Williams says he ``went through some tough times'' watching from the sidelines as his defensive teammates led the Cavs to their current 5-1 record and No. 13 national ranking.
``I got down and impatient, sitting there and watching their success and knowing I should be a part of it,'' he said. ``We've still got half the season and some big games left, though, and I want to make the most of that.''
Williams said he does not resent losing his starting job because of the injury.
``If I had come back from the injury in two or three weeks or if the defense wasn't play well, I might expect to start,'' he said. ``But as long as I'm playing and we're winning, I'm happy.''
NOT CONVINCED: Despite an impressive showing by his quarterbacks in the 62-14 victory over N.C. State, Cavaliers coach George Welsh still isn't satisfied with the passing game.
Tim Sherman threw two touchdown passes and backup Aaron Brooks had one. Neither had an interception.
``We still have a lot of work to do with the passing game,'' Welsh said. ``Just ask them (the quarterbacks). They know what's on the tape and what goes on at practice.''
Sherman, who will start again against Florida State, said he agreed with Welsh's opinion.
Both also agreed that Saturday's performance did have some rewards.
``They did play well enough that they don't have to read all week how lousy they are,'' Welsh said.
HOW BIG? Welsh, who doesn't like to single out any game as being ``big,'' grinned when asked if the one Saturday against FSU deserved that label.
``Well, our chances for the conference title will not be very good if we lose it,'' he replied.
A Virginia win would throw the ACC title race into a virtual three-way tie among the Cavs, FSU,and North Carolina.
FIRST TEAM: Saturday's game is big enough that ABC is sending its top team to cover it. Keith Jackson will do play-by-play, supported by analyst Bob Griese and sidelines reporter Lynn Swann. The regional telecast will begin at 3:30 p.m.
TOUGH DEFENSE: Tiki Barber, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of Virginia's first six games, faces his biggest challenge against a Seminoles defense that ranks No. 2 nationally against the rush.
FSU is giving up an average of only 44 rushing yards per game.
Barber, though, has had success against the 'Noles the last two years, rushing for a career-high 193 yards in last year's victory and for 108 yards as a sophomore.
SIGN LANGUAGE: Welsh doesn't expect noise from the sellout crowd of 80,000 tomahawking, chanting fans to disturb his team.
For the last four games, the Cavaliers have operated from the shotgun formation with a ``silent snap,'' in which the ball is snapped on a signal from the quarterback.
Welsh said players should not have trouble hearing when the play is run on an audible count with the quarterback over center. by CNB