Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 27, 1994 TAG: 9409270102
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long
Although he would have been surprised to lose his starting job, Virginia quarterback Symmion Willis has been more consumed by an inner conflict.
``I've always been hard on myself,'' Willis said Monday, ``but now I've taken that too far. There are times when I'm just so tense on the sidelines. I can't have that and play at this level. No one can.''
Head coach George Welsh eliminated one source of concern when he named Willis the starter for UVa's game Saturday against William and Mary, but any vote of confidence must come from within.
``He's got to get himself out of this - that's my opinion - and I think he will,'' Welsh said.
Willis broke the UVa record for passing yardage in a season last year, but he has given way to backup Mike Groh in each of his two starts.
``I was hoping for a better year,'' said Willis, who has completed 19 of 42 passes for 195 yards. ``At Florida State, I don't think I played terribly, but I couldn't make anything happen. I really wanted to have a good game against Clemson and it all backfired.''
A hamstring injury kept Willis out of the Cavaliers' second game, when Groh was 26-of-35 for 257 yards and three touchdowns at Navy. That was the beginning of UVa's quarterback ``controversy.''
``There was never a point where I felt I wouldn't be the starter until questions were raised,'' said Willis, a redshirt junior. ``After Clemson, it never dawned on me that I wouldn't be the starter.''
Willis was intercepted twice in a 9-6 victory over the Tigers, as was Groh. Each yielded a drive-stopping, end-zone interception.
``They both made bad decisions, which is somewhat understandable if somebody is playing for the first time,'' Welsh said, ``but not now, not in their fourth year.''
Welsh said the quarterback situation would be evaluated while UVa was off last week, but there was little deliberation, even though both players took turns operating the first team.
``My day it was pouring rain,'' said Groh, bemused but not bitter.
Welsh said the decision was made in a weekend conversation with offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien and was based on an assessment of the players' respective abilities.
``I told Mike I'd like to play him,'' said Welsh, who held meetings with both players Monday, ``but there's no guarantee right now.''
Willis is considered the more athletic and has a stronger arm, although Groh has been more productive this season. Groh, who leads the ACC in passing efficiency, has directed the Cavaliers on seven of eight touchdown drives. Third-stringer Tim Sherman was quarterback for the eighth.
``I really didn't realize that until a couple of days ago,'' Willis said.
Welsh has suggested that an inexperienced offensive line may have caused UVa to give too much responsibility to the quarterback, but Willis doesn't agree.
``I don't feel there's too much in the offense,'' he said. ``I feel I have a good grasp of the system. I just can't get off the mental kick. I've got to let myself off the hook. I know I'm going to make some mistakes, but I can't hold myself accountable forever.''
The rantings of Welsh and O'Brien were the least of his problems against Clemson.
``I didn't let it get to me,'' Willis said. ``Most of the things I probably didn't hear because I was so upset with myself. But I can't be playing two opponents out there - myself and the other team.
``It's not like people are making great plays against us. I've played a full season. I should not be making the dumb mistakes I've been making. That's what tears me up the most.''
If it sounds like Willis is a candidate for a sports pscyhologist, don't think the idea hasn't been broached. Willis took a class last year from Bob Rotella, the UVa sports psychologist who is best known nationally for his work with professional golfers.
``After taking his class, no matter what day it is, you want to go out and play,'' Willis said.
Welsh's reaction? ``Bob Rotella ... maybe. I hadn't thought about that. I've had some kickers go to him. I haven't had any quarterbacks do it.''
It might help that Welsh says he has learned his lesson and won't change quarterbacks four times, as he did against Clemson.
``After the first time I was taken out, I did start worrying, `If I don't complete this pass, maybe coach Welsh will take me out,''' Willis said. ``I can't play like that. If I fumble or throw an interception, I can't be thinking about what's happening on the sideline.''
Clearly, Willis hasn't been alone. At Florida State, the UVa receivers dropped seven passes. In the Clemson game, fifth-year fullback Charles Way fumbled twice and both Way and Tiki Barber lost the ball inside the 5-yard line.
``The whole offense needs to get away, go to the mountains or somewhere, and think about what's going on,'' Willis said. ``Before the season, everybody was wondering about the offensive line. Now, it's more a question of ``Will everybody around them hold up?' ''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB