DATE: Saturday, October 18, 1997            TAG: 9710180627

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                   LENGTH:   58 lines

AT THE HALFWAY POINT, U.VA. STILL A MYSTERY AT 3-2 AND FACING DUKE TODAY, THE CAVALIERS STILL COULD QUALIFY FOR A POST-SEASON BOWL GAME.

George Welsh thought by the time his young Virginia Cavaliers hit the season's midway point he would know what to expect from his team.

Would he start planning on another bowl trip, or would he be staying home with family and friends this December?

The Cavaliers cross the midpoint in the schedule today with a game against Duke, but Welsh is still waiting for answers to those questions.

``I thought I'd have a better feel for this team by now,'' Welsh said, ``but I don't know what to think yet.''

The Cavaliers fared better than expected in the first five games with the edge being last week's upset victory at Clemson.

At 3-2, Virginia joins Florida State, North Carolina and Georgia Tech in heading into the final half of the season with inside tracks on bowl bids.

Florida State and Georgia Tech, which play today, and North Carolina are unbeaten in the league.

The only other team with a winning record, overall and in the conference, is Virginia.

Still, Welsh can't be too optimistic because of the injuries that have slowed his team's progress and a sputtering offense.

Tight end Casey Crawford and linebacker Jami'h Ranier are out for the remainder of the season.

Cornerback Joe Williams and tailback Antwoine Womack are expected to miss their second straight game today because of injuries.

``We have several other players, like (safety) Anthony Poindexter, who are banged up and have missed practices,'' Welsh said.

``That is what I am most concerned about. It is going to catch up to us one of these weeks. We just won't be able to put together a full game.''

The offense has not committed a turnover in the last two games, but it has not been consistent enough to establish field position or put together long drives.

Most of the touchdowns have been set up by turnovers forced by the defense.

In fact, there is little difference between Virginia and Duke, winless in the league, in conference rankings offensively.

Virginia is seventh in total offense, Duke eighth. Duke is third in rushing offense, Virginia fifth. Virginia is seventh in passing offense, Duke ninth. Virginia is sixth in scoring offense, Duke eighth.

The Blue Devils, whose only wins were against Army and Navy, have been troubled more by injuries than Virginia.

Injuries have forced Duke coach Fred Goldsmith to play four quarterbacks in the first six games.

Goldsmith says all four are now healthy, but he declined to say who would start against Virginia.

Welsh said he understands Goldsmith's secrecy, but he doesn't think it will make any difference who gets the starting nod.

``They all play pretty much the same, so we will prepare to defend the x's and o's,'' Welsh said.

Virginia has won seven of the last eight games in the series with Duke and has not lost to the Blue Devils in Scott Stadium since 1981.

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