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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 28, 1994                   TAG: 9412280088
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SHREVEPORT, LA.                                LENGTH: Medium

HICKS IS READY TO GET IN HIS LAST LICKS FOR THE CAVALIERS

When two of its top four linebackers were shelved by ankle injuries, Virginia had the luxury of elevating a player who had started in parts of two seasons.

Fifth-year senior Curtis Hicks doesn't know how much he will play tonight against Texas Christian, but practice sessions for the Independence Bowl have brought back old memories.

``I've been working with the first team some, and it's been great to get on the field one more time with some of the guys in my class,'' Hicks said. ``My second year, [defensive end] Mike Frederick and I were the only redshirt freshmen who started.''

After starting a total of seven games during the 1991 and '92 seasons, Hicks gained weight and moved to defensive end last year. He has played in every game since then, but mostly in special-teams or mop-up situations.

``It's been tough, especially last year, but last year made it easier to take this year,'' Hicks said. ``I'm not doubting anybody's decision, but I regret the move to defensive end. I was out of position.''

Inexperience at defensive end and the development of middle linebacker Randy Neal made Hicks a logical candidate to move. Neal and Hicks had split time in 1992.

``I'm not ready to say he was better than me then,'' Hicks said, ``but he's better than what I would be now. With that opportunity, maybe I could have been that good. Who knows?''

The coaches showed their respect for Hicks' ability when they invited him back for a fifth year. With scholarships at a premium, that's no foregone conclusion.

``I'm happy I came back,'' said Hicks, a former Alleghany High School standout who lists Clifton Forge as his home town, although he lives closer to Sharon on the Botetourt County border. ``If I had it to do over, I'd do the same thing. If I hadn't played this year, I'm sure I would have regretted it.''

Nobody on the team had as many tackles (17) in as few plays (200). Usually, the No.5 linebacker gets more playing time, but Hicks played behind one of UVa's rising stars in James Farrior.

``Sometimes I worry that people think I don't want to play or think I don't care,'' said Hicks, who married his former high school sweetheart, Marcia Williams, during the off-season.

``I didn't come back just for school or to have a good time. I came back to play football. Deep down, I would have loved to make a lot bigger contribution.''

The bowl game is the fourth in five years for Hicks, who traveled to the Sugar Bowl in 1990 as a redshirt. He did not start in the Gator Bowl the following year, but had seven tackles against Oklahoma.

Keywords:
FOOTBALL

by CNB