Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 1, 1993 TAG: 9309010145
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Willis apparently will do more than hand off Saturday when the Cavaliers open the season at Maryland.
"If they do what they did last year, we have to throw the ball," Welsh said. "Otherwise, we're not going to win. If they have nine guys up close, you can't block nine of them."
Quarterback Bobby Goodman threw three touchdown passes in UVa's 28-15 victory over Maryland last year, two against single coverage.
"If you get that, you're going to win some of those matchups," Welsh said.
It has been almost a week since Welsh met separately with Willis, fellow sophomore Mike Groh and redshirt freshman Tim Sherman and informed them that Willis was the front-runner.
"I didn't tell anybody," Willis said, "but I guess everybody figured out what was happening when I was getting most of the snaps."
Willis, a 6-foot-4, 204-pounder from Mays High School in Atlanta, played in three games last year before separating his right (throwing) shoulder. However, the Cavaliers have taken no special precautions with him during the spring or fall.
"All the quarterbacks got hit," Welsh said. "They needed all the work under pressure that we could give them."
Willis had a 45-yard touchdown run against Navy that was UVa's second longest of the season, but he attempted only two passes. His lone completion came on a screen.
"He wouldn't be the starter if we didn't think he was decent throwing the ball," Welsh said.
Groh will be the No. 2 quarterback for the opener, although Sherman will get some practice time.
"There were four in the spring, which was probably one too many," said Welsh, who suspended B.J. Hawkins for a violation of team rules. "I'd say three in the fall is also one too many. They didn't get off to a good start - none of them."
The decision to go with Willis isn't necessarily permanent, although Welsh said it is likely he will start the second game - UVa's home opener - against Navy.
"I'm not ruling out the fact that somebody else will play [against Maryland]," Welsh said. "Especially if it's hot, we're going to have to. If it's 90-some degrees and we're moving the ball, I'm not going to ask [Willis] to play 70-plus plays."
\ DECISIONS, DECISIONS: Redshirt freshman Kyle Kirkeide has won the kicking job over sophomore Patrick Harkleroad, last year's punter. Kirkeide's brother, Kevin, was a reserve tight end for Miami's national championship team in 1991.
John Slocum, who played defensive tackle and lettered as a "true" freshman last year, is the likely starter at right tackle. Slocum played guard in the spring, was moved to left tackle for the fall and moved again, to right tackle when Chris Harrison broke a leg in the Cavaliers' first scrimmage.
\ INJURIES: Guard Bill Edwards has returned to practice but is not at full strength after breaking a leg in a pick-up basketball game. However, offensive tackle Jim Reid is close to 100 percent after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee three weeks ago.
"That's the magic of the arthroscope," Welsh said. "He's had it done so many times [four] now that he tells the doctors what to do. He says, `I think I need an arthroscope,' and four days later he says he feels better than he's felt in a year."
\ FRESHMEN: Welsh said it is not definite that any of this year's recruits will play Saturday. Those with the best chance are linebacker James Farrior from Matoaca and a pair of Roanokers, tailback Tiki Barber from Cave Spring High School and defensive end Walt Derey from Northside High School.
"I think Barber will play sometime this year, and probably Derey, too," said Welsh, who listened to pleas from his defensive coaches and moved Derey from tight end. "Usually you're going to need a third tailback [Barber] and usually you're going to need an extra linebacker [Farrior]."
\ EXTRA POINTS: Curtis Hicks has been moved to the defensive end spot vacated by All-American Chris Slade and will back up fifth-year senior Matt Mikeska. Hicks, a junior from Alleghany High School, started four games last year at middle linebacker. . . . Maryland signee Lonnie Calicchio, a junior college All-America kicker and punter, was declared ineligible when it was learned he did not receive his associate's degree from Northwest Mississippi. Scott Milanovich, the Terps' starting quarterback, will punt.
by CNB