Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507200072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I look at this as fun, as an opportunity,'' he said Wednesday in Detroit at a news conference for the Pigskin Classic, which the Wolverines will host against Virginia on Aug.26. ``We have a chance to write a new chapter to Michigan's football tradition.''
The last chapter ended in embarrassment when Gary Moeller was fired after his disorderly conduct arrest. Carr was named interim coach in May.
``Sure, there will be pressure,'' Carr said. ``The more pressure you put on yourself, the more you will feel it from the outside. The thing I try to do every day is put it into perspective.''
Perspective is what Virginia coach George Welsh has brought to the Cavaliers. Until he arrived, the Cavaliers had never been invited to a bowl game, never won an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and never won 10 games in a season.
``When I think about Virginia football, I think in terms of the last 10 years, not the previous 30,'' Welsh said. ``There were only three winning seasons in that time. It was not a pretty picture.''
But since Welsh arrived, Virginia has been to seven bowl games and last year's squad finished 9-3 and ranked No.15.
Virginia returns senior quarterback Mike Groh, who led the ACC in passing efficiency, and a defense that led the nation in rushing defense and interceptions.
``We take a great deal of pride in our defense, but we haven't had to contend with a power offense like Michigan's,'' Welsh said. ``We're not as big up front, and we don't have the depth we had last season.''
Carr said the Cavaliers will provide a difficult first test for one of his rookie quarterbacks. Redshirt freshman Scott Dreisbach goes into summer drills as the No.1 quarterback, but Carr said he must solidify his hold on the job. Sophomore Brian Griese and seniorJason Carr are battling for the backup spot.
``If we stay healthy, we'll be strong on the offensive line. And we've got excellent receivers and running backs. That means our quarterbacks only have to play within themselves and the system.''
Virginia is making its second appearance in one of college football's two preseason games, having lost to Notre Dame 36-13 in the 1989 Kickoff Classic, while the Wolverines will be playing a preseason game for the first time.
Maryland quarterback Scott Milanovich will stay for his senior year despite a four-game NCAA suspension for gambling on college games.
``I made a terrible mistake,'' Milanovich said. ``I've become a successful player because I've made a habit out of making good decisions on the field. Now I've made a bad decision off the field that I wish I could take back.''
In the most severe penalty handed to a Division I athlete for gambling, the NCAA suspended Milanovich for eight games July 10. But after hearing Milanovich's appeal Tuesday, the NCAA reduced the punishment to four games.
The NCAA has restored the eligibility of a West Virginia defensive lineman who had signed with an agent last spring to enter the NFL draft.
However, the NCAA eligibility committee ordered John Browning, 21, of Miami, to sit out the first three games of the season for signing the contract.
The NCAA had declared Browning ineligible April 28 after he decided against entering the draft.
by CNB