Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 30, 1994 TAG: 9408300078
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
``If [the coaches] stick with what it's been for the last weeks or so, it looks like I will be starting,'' said Barber, a red-shirt freshman from Cave Spring High in Roanoke. ``I don't see them making any last-minute decisions.''
Barber entered preseason practice as the No. 2 strong-side cornerback behind Joe Crocker. However, injuries have forced the Cavaliers to shift weak-side corner Carl Smith to safety and start using Crocker at both corner positions.
``I'm glad to be starting against Florida State; then again I'm worried because it's the defending national champion,'' Barber said. ``From what I heard, it's pretty incredible down there.''
Barber did not make last year's trip to Tallahassee, Fla., so he's getting much of his information from his roommate and twin, Tiki, who was in uniform but did not play against Florida State.
Tiki Barber, listed as the back-up to Kevin Brooks at tailback, enters Saturday's game as UVa's primary punt returner. Both Barbers will return kickoffs.
That's slightly different from their Cave Spring days, when Ronde was the punt returner and Tiki handled kickoff returns.
Ronde, previously a safety, was moved to cornerback in the spring and is certain to be tested by a Florida State offense that raced to a 30-0 halftime lead and beat the Cavaliers 40-14 last year.
``We got beat deep too much,'' said UVa head coach George Welsh, whose Cavaliers are an early 19-point underdog. ``We got beat deep in zone coverage and to me that's inexcusable.''
The safeties normally have deep responsibility in zone coverage, but Barber has the kind of speed that will enable him to run downfield with the Seminoles' receivers.
``I'm really happy with the way things are going now,'' Barber, a star hurdler at Cave Spring, said. ``Everything seems to be falling into place. I'm getting a chance to do something I've always dreamed about.''
INJURY UPDATE: Percy Ellsworth, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery and missed UVa's first scrimmage as a precaution, has returned to practice and will start at safety. Two other safeties, returning starter Paul London and prize recruit Anthony Poindexter, remain sidelined following arthroscopic knee surgery.
FREAK BREAK: No one is taking an injury to defensive tackle Mark Krichbaum any harder than defensive end Mike Frederick, whom Krichbaum has played alongside for the last three seasons.
It was Frederick who fell across Krichbaum's left leg in a scrimmage Aug. 20. Krichbaum, once feared lost for the season, suffered a fractured fibula but may be able to resume practicing after six weeks. Frederick and others hope he can return for UVa's fourth game, Oct. 1, against William and Mary.
``To be honest with you, I totally lost my mind,'' said Frederick, who buried quarterback Mike Groh on the next play. Frederick felt the injury could have been avoided if he had not been held by one of UVa's reserve offensive tackles.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Frederick, who could not complete spring practice due to a disc problem, has dropped 20 pounds from a spring high of 275 and is cautiously optimistic about his back.
``I haven't really been thinking about it [but] I'm probably going to be feeling it the rest of my life,'' said Frederick, who had 101/2 sacks and an ACC-high 21 tackles for loss as a junior. ``I felt I could play at 275 pounds, but they told me, `Listen, you're not in a pro scheme yet.'''
nRedshirt freshman Doug Karczewski, a back-up offensive tackle, is up to 265 pounds from his 1993 reporting weight of 232. ... Starting outside linebackers Jamie Sharper and James Farrior have added 20 and 14 pounds, respectively. ... Fullback Charles Way, whose ball-carrying duties could increase with a lack of depth at tailback, has dropped 11 pounds and now weighs 227.
THE FRESHMEN: Welsh said that Germane Crowell, a 6-foot-4, 193-pound wide receiver, is the 1994 signee most likely to play against Florida State. Also listed in the two-deep are recruits Chuck Preston (6-6, 246) at defensive end and Tony Agee (6-5, 269) at defensive tackle. ... Freshman quarterback Aaron Brooks, who has asked to be redshirted, wowed the UVa coaches in early workouts.
by CNB