Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 23, 1995 TAG: 9509240001
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Mike Groh has become so entrenched as Virginia's quarterback that it's easy to forget he has started only 12 games in five years.
There was no indication that Groh was even a candidate for the starting job until the Cavaliers played Clemson last year.
That was a day when UVa coach George Welsh changed quarterbacks five times, alternating between Groh and Symmion Willis. Groh led the Cavaliers on their only touchdown drive, but also was intercepted twice.
Although Virginia came back to win 9-6, Groh thinks he has become a different quarterback as 11th-ranked UVa prepares to meet Clemson at noon today at Memorial Stadium.
``I said after that game that I kind of got wrapped up in the moment,'' he said earlier this week. ``I told myself, `If I make this play here, then this is going to be my team.' I tried to win the job during the game instead of just letting my production speak for itself.''
It was natural for Groh to wonder if he had squandered his big opportunity when he didn't enter the next game, against William and Mary, until the Cavaliers were ahead 37-3.
Groh eventually got a second chance when Willis was felled for the second time by a pulled hamstring. Groh gave the offense a lift at the end of a lethargic first half against Wake Forest and has been the starter ever since.
``I think I've been a very consistent quarterback ever since that game,'' said Groh, who last year led the ACC in passing efficiency. ``It was just the wrong attitude to have at the time.
``We had scored one touchdown, we were on the move again and I was like, `Yeah, if I stick this throw, then there's going to be no more of this `Who's going to be the quarterback this week?'''
Groh hasn't been intercepted more than once in a game since then.
``I knew what I had done right away,'' said Groh, son of New England Patriots defensive coordinator Al Groh. ``I told my dad on the phone after the game that that's what happened. As long as I recognized it, I knew it wouldn't be a problem again.''
Groh no longer had to worry about job security by the end of the season. Welsh announced before the Independence Bowl that Groh would enter the spring as his No.1 quarterback and Willis was not given an opportunity to compete for the position before deciding to concentrate on baseball.
Groh has not had the kind of season that has ranked him among the nation's total-offense leaders, but he has completed 64 percent of his passes. Groh is the only UVa quarterback with more than 250 career attempts to have completed more than 60 percent of his passes.
``That's one of the first things I look at,'' said Groh, who has a career completion percentage of 62.8. ``I've been kind of disappointed because it hasn't been as high as I would expect or would want. I'd like to have it about 68 [or] 70.
``We've kind of passed sporadically. When you see me pass three, four [or] five times in a row, I think you'll see me get better as I go along. Instead of handing the ball off 10 times and throwing one pass, it makes it easier for me and makes it easier for the wide receivers.''
Groh completed his last five passes in a 29-24 victory over North Carolina State, then went 6-for-6 to start the Cavaliers' game last Saturday with Georgia Tech. He threw only five passes in the second half of UVa's 41-14 victory.
``Once we get into those games where we have to throw it some more, I'll be able to get into a better rhythm,'' said Groh, still looking for his first 200-yard passing game of the season after posting four last year.
``As long as the running game is working, there's no need to pass, [but] there's going to be two or three games where we're going to have to throw 30 [or] 35 times to win.''
Welsh thinks that one of those times could be today against a Clemson team that never has lost to Virginia at home. The Cavaliers had never beaten Clemson anywhere until 1990.
``It would be nice to be the quarterback for the first team to beat Clemson at `Death Valley,''' Groh said. ``Maybe if [the Cavaliers] never win again down there, it will mean something, but right now it's just another ACC game that we've got to win to keep pace with Florida State.''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB