Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 19, 1994 TAG: 9412200043
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
There is a certain uneasiness in Patrick Jeffers' voice as he discusses the prospects of playing Texas Christian, the college around the corner from his former home.
To suggest the Horned Frogs provide any extra incentive might imply Jeffers is in need of motivation.
``It'll definitely keep me from taking the game lightly,'' said Jeffers, Virginia's go-to receiver at the end of the season. ``But, really, I don't need that kind of stuff. This team knows it has to finish on a good note.
``Our last game, against N.C. State, is not how we want to be remembered.''
A 30-27 loss to the Wolfpack dropped Virginia (8-3) out of a possible Football Bowl Coalition slot and into the Independence Bowl, where it will meet TCU (7-4) at 8 p.m. on Dec.28.
The Independence Bowl is played in Shreveport, La., which is a 31/2-hour drive from Jeffers' home in Fort Worth, Texas. It is equally accessible to the TCU campus, one reason the Horned Frogs have sold 5,000 tickets, compared with less than 1,000 purchased by UVa fans.
``Most of my family will be there and so will a lot of my friends from high school,'' Jeffers said. ``We'll have a nice-sized majority in the Virginia section.''
Texas Christian did not offer Jeffers a scholarship, but neither did a lot of schools, including UVa. He walked on with the Cavaliers and received a scholarship in the fall of 1992. In 1993, Jeffers was UVa's leading receiver, with 32 catches.
``I got contacted by a lot of schools in the Southwest Conference,'' said Jeffers, a redshirt junior, ``but nobody was willing to offer me a scholarship. It seemed that everybody was scared or shied away from me because I played at a small private school.''
The competition wasn't national-caliber at Fort Worth Country Day, but Jeffers' athletic ability should have been unmistakable. He has size (6-feet-4, 214 pounds) and he can run. In his last two years of high school, Jeffers never lost a 400-meter race.
After a slow start this year, Jeffers had six receptions in each of UVa's last two games and established a career high with 153 yards receiving against N.C. State.
The day was more bitter than sweet, however, because Jeffers fumbled at the Wolfpack's 12-yard line with UVa leading 25-24 to start the fourth quarter. Three plays later, N.C. State freshman Tremayne Stephens dashed 84 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
There was some question whether the ball came loose before Jeffers was down, ``but I had a pretty good idea my knees weren't on the ground,'' he said. ``The tape confirmed it. I wasn't down.''
Less conclusive was a second-quarter pass on which Jeffers was ruled out of bounds in the end zone. A touchdown there would have put UVa ahead 19-7; instead, the Cavaliers missed a field-goal attempt.
``You leave a game like that and all you can think about is the chances you missed,'' said Jeffers, aware the Cavaliers had 500 yards for the second year in a row in a loss to the Wolfpack. ``It's really frustrating when you move the ball and move the ball and can't score.''
The fumble was the first as a collegian for Jeffers, who finished the season with 33 receptions and has 74 in his career. That ties him with Tim Finkelston for the most at UVa by a former walk-on, and Jeffers has another year of eligibility.
Jeffers said he shared his teammates' disappointment after the N.C. State loss, but harbors no anger over a bowl process that sent 18th-ranked Virginia to a less prestigious bowl than three lower-ranked ACC teams.
``We knew what was on the line,'' Jeffers said. ``In the week leading up to the game, we played out the scenario in our minds and realized, if we won, there was a good chance we were going to Tempe [Ariz.]. But we had the feeling, if we lost, we'd be going to Shreveport.
``If you lose 'em at the end, that's what happens.''
Jeffers knew TCU was a potential opponent, but he had not kept up with the Horned Frogs and had no special feelings when the pairings were announced.
``I would love to play well, but not to show them anything,'' said Jeffers, who once lived no more than a mile from the TCU campus. ``I know some of their players; I've talked to Coach [Pat] Sullivan a few times. I think they're aware I play for Virginia.''
The Independence Bowl has a reputation for its hospitality toward the players, but Jeffers does not anticipate much socializing with friend or foe.
``We're going down there to prepare really well and have a good game,'' he said. ``We're not going down there to have fun. That's not the meaning of this trip.''
by CNB