Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, October 2, 1994                   TAG: 9410060001
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium

UVA'S WILLIS FINDS HIS GROOVE, QUIETS HIS DOUBTERS

The Cavaliers were leading William and Mary by the eventual winning margin of 37-3 when Welsh sent backup Mike Groh in the game with 11 minutes, 27 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Symmion Willis, who had held onto the starting job despite failing to lead UVa to a touchdown in three games, had justified Welsh's faith by passing for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

``Our intention was, when we made the decision over the [open] weekend, that he would be the quarterback and that I wasn't going to yank him,'' said Welsh, who changed quarterbacks four times in a 9-6 victory over Clemson two weeks ago.

The offense settled for field goals on three first-half possessions inside the 20-yard line, but that was through no fault of Willis, who completed his first six passes for 184 yards.

``I wanted to prove to myself that I still had it,'' Willis said. ``I didn't doubt myself physically, but I just had to block everything else out.''

Willis carried the ball 12 times for 48 yards as the Cavaliers placed renewed emphasis on the option, which Welsh insists has been part of their offensive package since the first two games.

``We just felt like we had to get him outside to help the offense,'' Welsh said. ``The way William and Mary plays defense, we thought we could have more success with it. Some weeks you're not going to be able to do that.''

Willis said UVa's early play selection helped give him confidence, as did short passes that turned into gains of 48 yards by Petey Allen and 55 yards by Tyrone Davis, the second for a touchdown.

``When Tyrone scored, I wanted to run down there as fast as I could and hug him,'' said Willis, who also had a 35-yard run on an option keeper. ``It always helps to get your feet wet early.

``I felt I got back to my old style that I love to play and had gotten away from. Against Florida State and Clemson, I didn't scramble at all. I had to get the running back in my game.''

HEARTBREAK: William and Mary fullback Tim Witcher, a sophomore from Franklin County, had the longest run of the day when he gained 41 yards on his only carry.

Witcher was dragging tacklers toward the end zone when he was stripped of the ball by UVa defensive back Sam McKiver. The ball rolled through the end zone and was awarded to the Cavaliers at the 2-yard line.

SHOWBOATING: Davis received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty when he affected a Heisman Trophy pose on his way down the sideline on his touchdown.

Linebacker Randy Neel had received a similar penalty for taunting William and Mary quarterback Shawn Knight following a sack by teammate Ryan Kuehl.

``We ain't Delaware, [expletive],'' Neel allegedly told Knight, referring to a statement attributed to - but not claimed by - Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock.

UVa defensive end Mike Frederick said he was warned by the officials when he took an imaginary home-run cut following a sack. ``He said I could only do that toward my bench,'' Frederick said. ``I was glad to learn that.''

ODDS AND ENDS: Willis was not intercepted for the first time in six regular-season games, but his fumble was responsible for UVa's only turnover. ... UVa sophomore place-kicker Rafael Garcia is 7-for-7 on field goals. ... Freshman wide receiver Germane Crowell, a possible hardship candidate after suffering a separated shoulder against Navy, returned to action after missing one game.

NEXT WEEK: Virginia (3-1 overall, 1-1 ACC) will be looking for its 11th straight victory over Wake Forest when it visits the Deacons (2-3, 0-2) in a 6:30 p.m. start at Groves Stadium.