Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409210007
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
They did it. They got away with it. And - bottom line - they won.
After saying his quarterbacks wouldn't being playing musical chairs, Virginia coach George Welsh had them doing just that Saturday. And neither Mike Groh nor Symmion Willis could settle into a comfortable spot in the Cavaliers' 9-6 victory over Clemson.
Welsh started Willis, who sat out the game against Navy on Sept.10 with a hamstring injury, then switched to Groh, who led Virginia to that 47-10 victory over the Midshipmen in Willis' absence.
Before the afternoon was through, Welsh had changed his mind three more times.
On paper, it would appear both quarterbacks had a pretty prosperous day, leading the Cavaliers to 419 yards total offense. They combined for 229 yards passing.
It's scrolling through the stats sheet that one comes across the problem: four interceptions, two each. It also didn't help that Virginia fumbled four times, losing three.
``I probably changed the quarterbacks too many times,'' Welsh said. ``It was my fault. I won't do that again.''
Willis' first stint lasted three series, the first of which stalled on Virginia's 46-yard line. He led the Cavs to the Clemson 5-yard line on their second drive. Then, with the Tigers' Wardell Rouse in his face, he threw an interception to Andre Carter at the goal line.
On the next series, Willis led Virginia 52 yards to the Clemson 1-yard line, only to see running back Charles Way fumble into the end zone for a Tigers touchback.
Willis was relegated to the sideline when the UVa offense took the field for its opening drive of the second quarter.
``I was disappointed coming out of the game,'' Willis said. ``We drove the ball well. We just couldn't put it in the end zone. I felt like we were coming around and I thought that I'd be in and get a chance.''
Groh took advantage of his first opportunity and led the Cavs 81 yards, capped by a 1-yard keeper to make it 6-0 with 7 minutes, 53 seconds left in the half.
He wasn't so lucky the next two times out. The Virginia offense went four plays and out, then endured boos coming off the field after their final drive of the half - which included three consecutive illegal-procedure penalties, followed by a holding penalty - stalled at the Virginia 42.
Willis, who started the second half, and Groh played switcheroo three more times, with each throwing an interception.
``I thought it was best for the team to put Groh back in ...,'' Welsh said. ``Then, I think I should have not changed them so much in the second half.''
In hindsight, which one did Welsh think he should have stuck with?
``It doesn't matter. Either one,'' he said. ``I should have either stayed with Willis for a longer time, or stayed with Groh after he made a couple of mistakes.''
Tom O'Brien, UVa's offensive coordinator, said the Cavs' staff usually chooses its quarterback based on his ability to make good decisions. Now, with Willis and Groh basically in a dead heat in that category, choosing could be difficult, he said.
``I know we have to stop,'' O'Brien said of the shuffling. ``I think it gets unsettling for the offense. You have different cadences and different scenarios going on. It's just unsettling.'
Welsh agreed: ``They didn't have a chance to get in a rhythm.'
The Cavaliers have two weeks to prepare for their next game (at home against William and Mary), but Welsh said he would make a decision this week on who would be the quarterback, then stick with it.
Willis, who chalked up his erratic play to overexcitement, said he feels he still is in the No.1 slot.
``I'm still very confident in myself and my abilities,'' he said. ``I just need to come out and relax. That's the only thing that's bothering me now. I'm too emotional, too excited.''
Groh, who completed eight of 14 passes for 100 yards, said he was frustrated with the shuffling, but at the same time was pleased the Cavaliers moved the ball so well against Clemson.
``It's not an ideal situation, but any time you get in the game and can help the team, it's a good thing,'' Groh said. ``That's all I want to do is help the team win.''
The same goes for Willis, who was 10-of-18 for 129 yards.
``We both want to see each other do well,'' he said. ``I told [Groh] in the locker room after the game that if we hadn't won, the fans probably would have run us both out of town.''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB