Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 16, 1994 TAG: 9411160129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Nobody is quite sure how Farrior ended up with No.42, which previously belonged to all-time rushing leader Terry Kirby, but it wasn't because Farrior lobbied for it.
``I was originally supposed to get No.56 or something like that,'' Farrior said in his usual unassuming fashion. ``It was a surprise to me when I saw [No.]42 in my locker. I knew as soon as I saw it that it was [Kirby's].''
``I was thinking that maybe it had been retired, but evidently not. I haven't talked to him about it. I hope he's not angry.''
He won't be if he's seen Farrior play.
Farrior may not be as highly acclaimed as some of his teammates on UVa's nationally ranked defense, but he has not fallen short of his billing as the state's top-rated college prospect in 1993. The Cavaliers never have had a pair of linebackers as athletically gifted as Farrior and Jamie Sharper.
``I know I've never been around two like this,'' said Rick Lantz, UVa's defensive coordinator. ``They could really be something special.''
Lantz can only hope they don't drive him crazy first.
``I'm surprised Coach Lantz hasn't had a coronary dealing with those two,'' said defensive tackle Ryan Kuehl, a senior. ``I'm surprised I haven't had a coronary. They're just a couple of young kids having a good time and playing great for us.''
What they don't have is the longest attention span, especially at team meetings and practices.
Farrior was nicknamed ``Potsie'' by his mother because he had a pot belly, ``but [he] acts like Potsie from `Happy Days' a lot of the time,'' Kuehl said. ``He's not serious about it yet, which probably is good.
``He doesn't particularly enjoy practice, but neither do a lot of guys. I guess you could say right now he's a gamer.''
Seldom is Farrior mentioned that Sharper's name doesn't follow, and the two Richmond-area standouts have much in common. For one thing, they rank 1-2 in tackles on a defense that is ranked No.1 in NCAA Division I-A against the run.
``I think they're interchangeable in ability and makeup,'' Kuehl said.
Farrior, who has been timed in 4.49 seconds for 40 yards, is a step faster. Sharper, listed at 6 feet 3 and 229 pounds, is a shade taller than Farrior (6-2, 226). Sharper has the more impressive bench press, but has had the advantage of an extra year in UVa's weight room.
Unlike Sharper, who was redshirted as a freshman, Farrior played in his first season. He ranked seventh on the team in tackles with 52, including 18 against Ohio University, but his playing time declined later in the season.
``It was good in some ways,'' said Farrior, who was playing special teams almost exclusively by the end of the year. ``I wanted to play [as a freshman] before I got here. I knew I wasn't going to be redshirted.''
Virginia fans will not be surprised to hear Farrior rushed for more than 1,000 yards and caught 19 passes as a senior at Matoaca High School. He has intercepted four passes this year, tied for second in the ACC, and is averaging more than 25 yards per return.
``I really love interceptions,'' Farrior said, ``but I'm still waiting for my first touchdown [return]. If I hadn't slowed down to wait for my blockers, I might have had a touchdown against North Carolina.''
Farrior almost scored his first collegiate touchdown Saturday, when he blocked a punt by Maryland's Scott Milanovich but lost his footing after recovering at the Terrapins' 18-yard line. UVa actually was trying to set up a return on the play.
``I had been trying to beat my man outside and it wasn't working,'' said Farrior who blocked four kicks as a senior at Matoaca, ''so I made a fake to the outside and he went for it. Once I broke free, the only thing in my mind was blocking the kick.''
The Cavaliers have been reluctant to use him on kickoff coverage, even though UVa opponents have eight returns of 35 yards or more.
``I think it would help if we put Sharper and Farrior out there,'' said George Welsh, UVa's head coach, ``but I'm not going to do it. The risk would be too high.''
No sense in ruining the franchise.
by CNB