Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260038
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: FB15 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
COACH: George Welsh, 22nd year (135-102-4; 80-56-3 Virginia)
RUSHING: Kevin Brooks rushed for 538 yards, third among ACC ball-carriers with remaining eligibility, but his role declined in the last half of the season. Fullback Charles Way is a fine blocker who has averaged more than 5 yards per carry for his career. All-ACC ofrfensive linemen Mark Dixon and Jim Reid will be hard to replace.
PASSING: Symmion Willis completed 59.7 percent of his passes and threw for 19 touchdowns in a record-setting sophomore season, but was victimized for 10 interceptions in the last four games. UVa will get a lift from the return to full strength of wide receivers Patrick Jeffers, who had a team-high 32 receptions, and Tyrone Davis, who has 18 career touchdowns.
DEFENSE: Virginia proved vulnerable when it gave up 557 yards in a 31-13 loss to Boston College in the Carquest Bowl, but five other UVa opponents failed to gain 300 yards. Defensive end Mike Frederick had an ACC-high 21 tackles for loss and 10 1/2 sacks, and linebacker Randy Neal set a school record with 139 tackles. The loss of tackle Mark Krichbaum for six weeks with a broken leg was an unexpected setback.
KICKING: Will Brice tailed off at the end of the season, but still finished second in the ACC in punting as a sophomore with a 42.2-yard average. The other half of UVa's left-footed sophomore kicking duo, Kyle Kirkeide, is on shakier ground after missing six of his last 10 field-goal attempts. He already has yielded kickoff duties.
PROSPECTUS: Virginia entered preseason practice with 72 scholarship players - 13 under the Division I-A limit - and injuries could prove disastrous at running back and virtually every offensive-line spot. The defense should be good enough to offset some dropoff in production and get the ACC's spot in either the Peach or Hall of Fame Bowl.
by CNB