Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 15, 1993 TAG: 9309150069
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Last week, before his Virginia football team blanked Navy 38-0, coach George Welsh said he didn't want UVa playing his alma mater.
Welsh is right, but for the wrong reason. UVa shouldn't play Navy - or Army, which Navy grad Welsh would love to beat - because they no longer can compete with the Cavaliers.
UVa has Navy and Ohio University - a combined 2-20 last season and likely no better this year - on the schedule. For a program with six straight winning seasons and four bowl trips in that span, that's one patsy too many. UVa stood 92nd among 106 Division I-A schools on the NCAA's preseason strength of schedule rankings. Among ACC schools, only 93rd-ranked North Carolina was lower.
The future should be different. The annual meeting with state rival Virginia Tech remains, and the non-conference schedule toughens considerably.
Navy leaves after 1994. While Virginia adds I-AA foe William and Mary for 1994-96 and '98-99, the Cavaliers do have home-and-home series with Texas in '95-96 and Arizona in '97-98. Dates with Rutgers in '97 and '99 are in jeopardy, however, since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big East.
Virginia Tech's non-conference schedule, headed by the UVa tussle, has what should be more than a few gimmes in upcoming seasons, too. The Hokies do not play a I-AA foe after James Madison's last trip to Blacksburg next year, when Tech also plays East Carolina and Southern Mississippi.
In 1995, Navy jumps from UVa to Tech, joined by Akron and Cincinnati. From 1996-98, Tech's foes are ECU, Akron and Cincinnati. North Carolina State returns in 1999 and 2000, joining UVa and ECU, with Cincinnati in '99 and Akron in 2000.
\ GETTING RYPPED: The Washington Redskins were living on borrowed time with Mark Rypien as the starting quarterback. Rypien, whose play has been unappreciated by spoiled Redskins fans, ranks third among active NFL quarterbacks in consecutive starts, a streak that will end Sunday at Philadelphia when Cary Conklin replaces Rypien, out with a torn ligament in his right knee.
It's little wonder the NFL is always changing rules to protect quarterbacks. The only two NFL QBs with more consecutive starts than Rypien are Miami's Dan Marino (92) and Jim Everett (82) of the Rams. No other active quarterback has started as many as 25 in a row.
Ouch!
Rypien's injury isn't the Redskins' only big pain. The offensive line is really hurting, and that's not just an opinion on the blocking problems in Sunday's loss to Phoenix. Is an emergency deal for Tampa Bay holdout tackle Paul Gruber next?
\ ART-IFACT: Conklin completed three passes to Art Monk, the NFL's career receiving leader, in the quarterback's relief job Sunday. That brings to 10 the roster of those who have connected with Monk - quarterbacks Joe Theismann, Mike Kruczek, Tom Flick, Jay Schroeder, Doug Williams, Rypien, Stan Humphries, Jeff Rutledge and Conklin, and receiver Ricky Sanders, who completed one to Posse-mate Monk in 1989.
\ STAGGERING: Three months before the Dec. 11 kickoff at 8,000-seat Salem Stadium, more than 20 percent of the tickets for the 1993 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl already have been sold. Wayne Burrow, an assistant director of NCAA championships, called this early response to the Division III final "very impressive."
\ TOURING: The official announcement on the 1994 Tour DuPont cycling course, scheduled today, has been postponed, but Roanoke's spot on the map in assured after a signed contract was returned from local organizers to Medalist Sports.
Also, it's smart of the organizers to involve the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, which has been asked to come up with proposals for a suitable course for the Tour's day in the Roanoke Valley. The club will meet tonight for that purpose.
Don't be surprised if the Tour takes a "politically correct" course that keeps everyone happy by running through Roanoke County and Salem before heading for Roanoke City and a downtown finish.
by CNB