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

DATE: SUNDAY, August 27, 1995                   TAG: 9508280089
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: D-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CAVS

Leg cramps suffered by Virginia quarterback Mike Groh brought early attention to the Cavaliers' decision to unload former starter Symmion Willis.

Tim Sherman, son of UVa receivers coach Tom Sherman, took over for two series against Michigan and led the Cavaliers on a 68-yard drive that resulted in a Rafael Garcia field goal.

Virginia led 17-0 at that point, only to lose 18-17 when Mercury Hayes caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Scott Dreisbach on fourth-and-10 as time expired.

Sherman, a fourth-year junior, had problems with the center-quarterback exchange that are not uncommon for a backup, but completed three of four passes for 53 yards.

``You want to be more cautious with Sherman, although he did make a couple of good throws for us,'' said head coach George Welsh.

Groh, sidelined by cramps in both calves and both thighs, left the game with 8:33 remaining in the third quarter. He returned with 11:36 to go in the fourth.

Willis, who started 16 games in his career and set a UVa record when he passed for 2,347 yards in 1993, opted to play baseball when Welsh tried to move him to wide receiver.

STADIUM DESERTED

The crowd of 101,444 was the smallest at Michigan Stadium since October 1975, when 101,247 turned out to see the Wolverines play Minnesota.

It also was the first time since November 1991, a span of 23 games, that Michigan had failed to sell out a game. The Wolverines did have their 123rd crowd of 100,000 or more, even though school does not start for more than a week.

BIG PAYDAY

Virginia's share of Pigskin Classic receipts could exceed $800,000, with the Cavaliers to take home at least $750,000.

The ACC treats the Pigskin Classic like a bowl game, in which the participating team is allowed to keep $750,000. Any additional payout is divided among the nine conference teams.

The original contract called for UVa to receive at least $650,000. The large crowd at Michigan Stadium accounted for the extra revenue.

INJURIES

Groh, offensive tackle Chris Harrison and safety Percy Ellsworth all missed playing time with cramps, but returned to the game. Tiki Barber returned, too, but for only one carry after suffering a bruised shoulder on his 81-yard touchdown run. ... Wide receiver Patrick Jeffers missed the game with a hamstring injury, but could return next week.

NEXT OPPONENT

The Cavaliers entertain William and Mary at 7 p.m. Sept.2 in the opener for the Tribe. William and Mary has 19 starters back from last year's 8-3 team, which lost 37-3 at Virginia.