Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 4, 1994 TAG: 9409070095
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: TALLAHASSEE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
``I was a little nervous on the first play,'' Barber said.
It was for good reason. In another ACC massacre by Florida State, Virginia could have used a bunch more Roanoke twins who played like Barber and his younger brother by seven minutes, Tiki.
In a 41-17 season-opening loss to the Seminoles, the Barbers still had a lot to write home about. Then, they didn't need to do that. Their mother, Geraldine, made a 13-hour drive from the Star City with a couple of the twins' buddies to be among the 74,551 spectators at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Ronde, a redshirt freshman, only had to start his first game against a passing attack that produced 397 yards and four touchdowns without graduated Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward.
The Seminoles could read the UVa depth chart. Dan Kanell came out throwing toward the rookie cornerback on the strong side.
``They completed the first couple over there,'' said Ronde, who gambled a step too late and just missed a pickoff on the second pass in his direction. ``I learned something on that play.''
Four plays later, the Cave Spring High School graduate showed how quick a study he is. He stepped in front of a Florida State receiver to make the first interception of his career, and the Cavaliers turned it into a Rafael Garcia field goal.
Ronde, working primarily against Seminoles flanker 'OMar Ellison, soon had Kanell looking to throw the other way. And he did. Again, and again. He wore out the Cavaliers' defense. It just took awhile.
Then, after the Seminoles scored their first touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, Ronde knifed in and blocked Scott Bentley's conversion kick. That was to become the Cavaliers' last gasp.
As Lindsey Nelson liked to say on those Sunday morning Notre Dame TV replays, let's skip ahead to more action in the fourth quarter. Hey, UVa coach George Welsh might want to do that when he watches the game film.
Welsh called his team's offense ``horrible,'' and for good reason. The Cavaliers had only five first downs in their first 11 possessions, and two of those were by penalty.
Tiki Barber was an exception to the offensive offensive show, however. The sophomore backup tailback rushed 12 times for 108 yards.
Tiki's 58-yarder on the last series of the game not only put the Cavaliers in position to make the scoreboard less embarrassing. It also was the longest run from scrimmage by UVa since Terry Kirby's first-play touchdown gallop of 73 yards in a victory over Wake Forest in October 1992. It was the longest against the Seminoles since Memphis State's Eddie Becton broke a 62-yarder in 1990.
Ronde had eight tackles and two pass break-ups. Each of the twins also returned two kickoffs, combining for 92 yards, including Tiki's 42-yarder to begin the second half. Tiki, who had all 16 of his carries last season in the first five games, also is returning punts this season.
It wasn't just a day to remember for players from Southwest Roanoke County. Walt Derey, the Northside High School alumnus, was the Cavaliers' deep snapper and got plenty of work on 10 punts.
The sophomore backup tight end - moved from the defensive line - made his first college reception, catching the only pass thrown in his direction. That's something the sieve-like hands of starting tight end Bobby Neely didn't manage.
``Ronde played really well,'' Tiki said. ``Considering the situation, he surprised me with how well he played right at the start, really.''
Tiki had experienced the second-largest crowd in Florida State's stadium history in last season's 40-14 loss, and told Ronde that ``whatever happens, keep your head up.''
Good advice, little brother.
``The speed of Florida State's receivers kind of concerned me before the game,'' Ronde said. ``Then, when we got out there, I saw I could hang with them pretty well.
``I think we were ready to play, but our offense didn't work too well. Then, I think the defense got tired. I know I am.''
Ronde lost more than the game. His mother figured her favorite cornerback left 10 pounds of sweat on the Seminoles' sod.
``I guess the thing I'll try to remember about this game is my first collegiate interception,'' Ronde said.
And 31/2 hours later, when the pounding was done, Geraldine Barber leaned over the stadium wall and told her sons that despite the scoreboard numbers, she was proud of them.
It was for good reason. If the twins keep playing like they did against the nation's fourth-ranked team, Virginia soon will become known as a Barber college.
by CNB