Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 12, 1995 TAG: 9509120092
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Jeffers was on the sideline at Michigan Stadium, watching in street clothes as Virginia battled Michigan in the Pigskin Classic, when he saw ex-Cavalier All-America Herman Moore.
``Just the fact that I had the [hamstring] injury in the spring had me worrying, `Am I going to keep reinjuring it,''' Jeffers said. ``I was lucky enough to run into Herman at Michigan, and he had just gotten over the same injury.
``He talked to me for a long time and convinced me that, if you take your time and heal it right, then it's not going to be a problem. It was good to hear that.
``Up till then, I was like `Am I ever going to shake this thing?' Or, `Is this going to be one of those lingering injuries that keeps me at 80 percent for the whole year.' It was hard to stay positive.''
Jeffers was penciled in for spot duty in Virginia's home opener against William and Mary, but understudy Germane Crowell had a knee problem and Jeffers got on the field for 40 plays.
After catching two passes for 5 yards against the Indians, a performance that prompted some good-natured ribbing from the media, Jeffers had five receptions for 91 yards Saturday in a 29-24 victory over North Carolina State.
Jeffers also had a crucial fumble recovery leading to one of Virginia's first-half touchdowns, but there were several other balls - at least two thrown behind him - that glanced off his fingers.
``We've had some plays early that have been just a little bit off,'' he said, ``but those are catches I expect to make. It's been frustrating to have them slip through my hands, but the more work I get, those things will just come naturally.''
Jeffers, who essentially missed four weeks or practice, stands sixth at UVa in career receiving yardage (1,334) and 11th in career receptions (81). Moore, in his fifth season with the Detroit Lions, is one of three Virginia receivers with more touchdown receptions.
Jeffers scored his 13th touchdown Saturday when he lined up at tight end for one of the few times in his career. At 6-foot-5 and 220-pound, he went unnoticed by the Wolfpack.
``It was something we had spotted on film during the week,'' Jeffers said. ``Usually, you can only pull it off about 50 percent of the time, but if they saw me in there, they never said anything.''
TRADITION CONTINUES: Jeffers was one of two walk-ons to start at wide receiver Saturday for Virginia. The other, sophomore Bryan Owen, comes from the same Camp Hill, Pa., program that produced former UVa wide receiver (and walk-on) Tim Finkelston.
SHARPER ALERT: UVa coach George Welsh said linebacker Jamie Sharper has a sprained knee, with results pending from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that would detect a torn cartilage.
Center Dave Gathman is expected to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery this week to repair torn cartilage. Tight end Bobby Neely, out two weeks with a sprained ankle, told trainers that his mobility improved over the weekend.
POST MORTEMS: Welsh made it sound as if he was more surprised that Virginia held N.C. State to 141 yards in the first half than he was to see the Wolfpack gain 230 in the second half.
``It's the same old story,'' said Welsh, whose team blew a double-digit lead for the third straight year against the Wolfpack, but came back to beat State for the first time since 1991.
``They're tough to defend because they do so many things on offense. I think it's only a question of time against them. I don't think we got tired, but maybe we did.''
NEW SURFACE: Virginia will play Georgia Tech on natural grass for the first time since 1966 when the Yellow Jackets visit Scott Stadium at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Georgia Tech, which had played on artificial turf since 1971, replaced it with a grass field this spring. That was the same move made by Virginia, which had played on AstroTurf since 1974.
CHECK THE SCHEDULE: A 4 p.m. kickoff for the Cavaliers' game with N.C. State caught a few fans off guard, particularly because the game was not televised.
Wolfpack coach Mike O'Cain said he prefers an early afternoon kickoff and that the 4 p.m. start was a compromise with State fans who like night games. None of Virginia's first five games has the same starting time.
ON THE GROUND: At least one Virginia running back has rushed for 100 yards or more in the last six games, a streak that will be challenged Saturday by a Georgia Tech defense that allowed 13 rushing yards Thursday in a 20-19 loss to Arizona.
by CNB