Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 17, 1993 TAG: 9304170139
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
CAVS' QB SPOT UP FOR GRABS
Virginia quarterback Symmion Willis has no trouble remembering each of the passes he attempted during the 1992 football season.Both of them.
Willis' chief claim to fame, before he separated his right shoulder, was a 45-yard run against Navy that was UVa's second-longest of the season.
"I threw my first pass against Navy [in the second game]," Willis said. "I was so nervous that I bounced the ball five yards in front of the receiver."
Willis later completed a shovel pass against Georgia Tech, but his season was a washout after he was injured in the closing seconds of UVa's fourth game, a 55-28 victory at Duke.
"It was an option pitch," said Willis, who was the top back-up to starting quarterback Bobby Goodman. "Once I let go of the pitch, I thought [the defender] knew I didn't have the ball. He swung me around maybe twice and then threw me to the ground."
Willis had separated his left (non-throwing) shoulder the previous spring in practice, so the pain felt somewhat similar. What he wasn't prepared for was a lengthy rehabilitation.
Although he dressed for two games after that, Willis did not play another snap and came out of the fall as a major question mark.
"My confidence was really low," said Willis, a redshirt freshman. "The shoulder didn't seem to be getting much better and I kept wondering to myself, `Maybe I should have had surgery.' "
Willis spirits didn't improve until he returned home to Atlanta for Christmas. However, rest proved to be the best therapy and he entered spring practice with no limitations.
"It's fine," Willis said. "It feels like I never hurt it. No problems."
Goodman completed his eligibility, but Willis no longer qualifies as the heir apparent, not that anybody does. Mike Groh, another redshirt freshman, moved into the No. 2 spot when Willis was hurt and played in six games, completing 13 of 27 passes.
"The only benefit Groh and Willis have is that they have played in games and have prepared to play in games," offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien said, "but I'm not going to get into relative strengths and weaknesses.
"I'm not saying who's ahead and who's behind. An order has started to develop, but that's not for public consumption."
All four of Virginia's scholarship quarterbacks will be on display today at 1 p.m. at Scott Stadium, when the Cavaliers hold their annual spring game. It will be more of a scrimmage, however, because of injuries at other positions.
"We may not even have a game if we get one more [offensive] linemen hurt," O'Brien said. "We may just fall on the ball."
Tailback Jerrod Washington suffered a sprained knee in practice this week, which leaves redshirt freshman Kevin Brooks as the only able-bodied tailback. Darryl Medley has been moved from fullback for this game.
It could mean considerable passing by the quartet of Willis, Groh, redshirt sophomore B.J. Hawkins and 1992 recruit Tim Sherman. O'Brien said Hawkins, who began his career at Notre Dame, has shown improvement this spring after receiving negligible playing time in the fall.
"You can't have four to start out the fall," O'Brien conceded. "Realistically, there's only enough work [in practice] for two or 2 1/2."
It will be a big surprise if Willis (6 feet 4, 206 pounds) isn't a leading contender when the team returns in August for preseason practice.
"I think he's performing where he was [before the injury]," said O'Brien, who doubles as quarterback coach. "I don't think there's been any lingering effect. He hasn't ducked under pressure in the pocket.
"There are a few times when he's taken off and scrambled when he's looked a little tentative, but he might just be trying to get through the spring without any further damage."
The biggest turnaround has been in Willis' mental outlook.
"I saw Mike Groh go in the game [against North Carolina State] and I thought to myself, `That could have been me,' " Willis said. "It took a lot out of me. At the beginning of the year, I was learning the offense and things were starting to come naturally. But when I couldn't practice, it was a big setback."