Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 10, 1994 TAG: 9410140033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Derrick Steagall, leading the ACC in kickoff returns and leading the Yellow Jackets in receptions, was lost for the season when he suffered a broken arm in Tech's 31-24 loss to North Carolina.
Steagall, a sophomore, suffered a non-displaced fracture of the humerus bone in his upper arm. He will not undergo surgery, but the injury normally requires more than two months to heal.
Steagall, making his first start at tailback, was injured on his second carry against the Tar Heels. Steagall barely had time to catch an option pitch before he was belted by Carolina defensive back Jimmy Hitchcock.
Georgia Tech coach Bill Lewis said Sunday night that he hopes to learn by Tuesday if Jimy Lincoln will be available. Lincoln, the Yellow Jackets' No.1 tailback to start the season, suffered a separated shoulder in the second week.
As for Willis, he no longer required crutches Sunday but was still limping from an injury to his right hamstring that caused him to miss the second half of UVa's 42-6 victory over Wake Forest.
Willis, who missed an earlier game with a strained left hamstring, said he felt a snap Saturday night and feared the injury was more severe, as did coach George Welsh.
Welsh said Willis would remain the starter if he could return to practice by Wednesday, although back-up Mike Groh tossed three touchdown passes against the Deacons and leads the ACC in passing efficiency.
Willis, from Atlanta, had one of his best games against Georgia Tech last season, when he completed his first eight passes and finished 16-of-21 for 185 yards.
BARBER IN LEAD: Virginia cornerback Ronde Barber, a redshirt freshman from Roanoke, has moved into a tie with Emmanuel McDaniel of East Carolina for first place in Division I-A in pass interceptions.
Barber had his second two-interception game of the season Saturday night, giving him five in five games. Keith Lyle led the Cavaliers with five interceptions last year.
DEFENSE RANKED: UVa jumped to fifth in Division I-A in rushing defense after holding Wake Forest to minus-21 yards. The Cavaliers' opponents have averaged 60.4 yards on the ground, 46.0 the past four games.
UVa, which has 12 sacks in the past two games, is ranked among the top 20 Division I-A teams in pass-efficiency defense, total defense and scoring defense.
NOTES: In George Welsh's 13 seasons as head coach, Virginia has had 500 yards or more in total offense in 24 games. Eight of those have come against Wake Forest, including Saturday night's 510-yard effort. ... UVa has had a 100-yard rusher in its past six games with the Deacs, including Kevin Brooks on Saturday night. ... The Cavaliers are unscored-upon in the first quarter this season. ... Virginia received the most votes of teams who were not ranked in the USA Today/CNN Top 25. The Cavaliers were listed 29th by The Associated Press.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB