Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 20, 1994 TAG: 9408230030
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
At the risk of being called ungrateful, defensive tackle Mike Frederick said Friday he doesn't consider that flattering.
``I'm sure Florida State's a great team, but we're not going to set our team goals to exclude a chance at Florida State,'' Frederick said during the Charlottesville stop on the ACC media tour. ``We're after one thing and that's winning the championship.''
If the Cavaliers are to do that, they will need to bring their offense, guided by a young line, up to par with the highly regarded defense, which may be Virginia's best in years.
``There's no question our defense is ahead of our offense by far,'' coach George Welsh said. ``But that's not surprising. That's not a concern.''
Virginia opens the season Sept.3 at Florida State.
For the first time since 1990, Virginia returns its starting quarterback. Symmion Willis, who threw for a school-record 2,347 yards in 1993, completed nearly 60 percent of his passes but suffered through a string of interceptions late in the year.
Running backs Charles Way and Kevin Brooks make the ground game solid, and a large group of receivers, led by Tyrone Davis and Pete Allen, will give Willis several options.
The biggest question lies with the line, where tackles coach Danny Wilmer says Virginia is as young as it has been in seven years. The Cavaliers will rely heavily on junior tackle Chris Harrison.
A year ago Sunday, Harrison suffered a severe compound fracture of the right tibia and fibula.
``I had a hard time dealing with the injury at first,'' Harrison said. ``To see my leg in that condition was horrifying.''
Harrison spent five months in a cast and travelled to classes courtesy the school's transportation service for handicapped students. His injury was so debilitating that the NCAA awarded him a rare sixth year in which to complete his four playing seasons. Harrison, who graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in marketing, is expected to claim a starting spot.
Things are more stable on the defensive side of the ball, where Frederick, Ryan Kuehl and Mark Krichbaum all return to the line. Injuries have slightly depleted the secondary, but the Cavaliers finished in the top four in the ACC in all major team defensive categories last year and have set a goal of finishing in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense.
Defensive coordinator Rick Lantz said he's been happy with Virginia's interception totals, but wants to knock the ball loose more and recover every fumble in sight.
The Cavaliers' schedule, which has been far more difficult in the second half than the first the last two seasons, finds its tough opponents more spread out in 1994. Two weeks after Florida State, Virginia plays host to Clemson. Games with North Carolina and N.C. State come in the second half.
The Cavaliers do not seem to mind the early test with the Seminoles.
``It's going to help us win or lose,'' Frederick said.
by CNB