Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 31, 1994 TAG: 9501030040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
President Clinton wishes he had it so easy.
On the day after Virginia's first bowl victory in five tries, Welsh said he planned to remain the Cavaliers' head football coach for at least four more years.
``That's what I've told recruits,'' said Welsh, whose renewed enthusiasm has been manifested in several areas.
At this time a year ago, Welsh seemed tired and burned out and - some thought - on the verge of retirement. There was little basis for those rumors, but many wondered if the Cavaliers had gone as far as Welsh would take them.
Few would have believed that UVa was on the brink of one of its best seasons and, arguably, the best season depending where the Cavaliers (9-3) are ranked in the final Associated Press poll.
``I don't think it's the best Virginia team since I've been here,'' Welsh said Thursday, ``[but] I think this team played as much to its potential as any team we've had.''
And, if the Cavaliers had been able to hold leads of 10 points against Duke and 12 points against North Carolina State, they would have entered the bowls with one loss.
Welsh has said on more than one occasion that UVa's defense was the best of his 13-year tenure and he won't get many arguments from Texas Christian, held to a season-low 191 yards Wednesday night in a 20-10 Independence Bowl loss to the Cavaliers.
``It was different from our last two bowl trips,'' Welsh said. ``I would compare it to the Sugar Bowl [in 1990]. That team felt it had something to prove after starting the year 7-0. So did this one.''
Virginia failed to silence its critics when, after a 7-1 start, the Cavaliers lost twice in November. A 42-23 upset of then 14th-ranked Virginia Tech didn't prevent UVa from being sent to the Independence Bowl, with its fifth choice of ACC teams.
The Cavaliers were able to sell only 1,500 tickets, but it proved to be the right bowl at the right time for Virginia, which didn't need payouts or parties as much as it needed a victory.
It's hard to say that UVa's performance will have any effect on recruiting, but the Cavaliers may have won back some of the fans who jumped off the bandwagon after a 30-27 loss to N.C. State that ended the regular season.
``I understand there's money involved and timing involved,'' Welsh said, ``but I think next time we'll have a better showing [in terms of support]. I think the fans have to realize you need to show up with 5,000 people or more.''
The ACC currently has ties with only three bowls for next year, which might make it more difficult to get a bid, particularly for a Virginia team that must visit Clemson, Duke, Texas and North Carolina. The home schedule is no laugher with the likes of Florida State, N.C. State and Virginia Tech.
``We could be a really good football team,'' Welsh said. ``We should have a better offense, but we're going to miss guys like [Tyrone] Davis and [Charles] Way.''
Davis, a wide receiver, finished his career with 30 touchdown receptions (including two in bowl games). Way was best known for his blocking at fullback, but carried 52 times for 222 yards in UVa's last two games.
A third senior starter, center Bryan Heath, anchored the offensive line.
Although recognition from the coaches came grudgingly, junior quarterback Mike Groh played with the kind of passion in the Independence Bowl that showed he had taken charge of the team, or at least the offense.
Groh was so irritated when a third-and-goal call backfired that he ripped off his helmet and got in Welsh`s face.
``He said a couple of things on the sideline,'' Welsh said, ``but I think some of that is good. It shows he was really into the game. We all were.
``We thought that [Symmion] Willis was better for a long time, but Groh plays better than he practices.''
It's unlikely that UVa will make wholesale changes in its offense now that Navy has bypassed UVa coordinator Tom O'Brien in favor of Charlie Weatherbie, who was 3-8 this year and 15-19 in three seasons as head coach at Utah State.
Welsh is looking for replacements for Jim Bollman, who coached the centers and offensive guards, and Larry New, who coached the defensive tackles. Bollman went to Michigan State and New to Georgia Tech.
``We've gone through this before,'' Welsh said. ``I've gotten a lot of calls [from applicants] and there are a lot of good coaches who want to come. Some good people are out of work.''
Four of five starters return on the offensive line, but the defensive line must be rebuilt with the departure of fifth-year seniors Mike Frederick, Ryan Kuehl and Mark Krichbaum. Frederick started 48 consecutive games at defensive end, including three bowls.
The Cavaliers also will miss middle linebacker Randy Neal, who returned four of his seven interceptions for touchdowns, placing him third in Division I-A history. Neal had four other interceptions that didn't count - two in bowl games and two on two-point conversion attempts.
Help is on the way from a recruiting class that swelled to 19 with the addition of Noel Lamontagne, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle from Southern Columbia High in Catawissa, Pa. Welsh broke precedent this year when he missed several bowl workouts to recruit.
by CNB