Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 8, 1995 TAG: 9511080059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long
Bryan Owen, who had a team-high five receptions for Virginia in its 33-28 victory over the Seminoles on Thursday night, originally joined the team as a walk-on kicker.
Owen never played a down as a receiver at Cedar Cliff High School in Camp Hill, Pa., where he handled kicking duties when he wasn't playing center halfback for the soccer team.
``I kicked here for a couple of days,'' Owen said, ``but I was kicking with Rafael [Garcia] and I could see I was going to have to change positions or not play.
``I did some running tests. I guess I had some pretty good times, because they [UVa coaches] said, `We think we're going to try you out at receiver.' I played on the scout team that first year [1993] and had fun with it.''
Owen, a sophomore who has been timed in 4.47 seconds for 40 yards, comes from the same high school as one of Virginia's most successful walk-on receivers, Tim Finkelston. But at least Finkelston came from a football background.
Soccer is played during the fall in central Pennsylvania, so Owen would take part in the first 15 minutes of football practice, then hustle to the soccer field.
``I always wanted to play receiver or do something other than kick,'' said Owen, a 6-foot, 175-pounder, ``but, because of soccer, I was never able to.''
Owen made the UVa traveling squad as a redshirt freshman and had a reception in his first game, the Cavaliers' 41-17 loss to Florida State to open the 1994 season. He had two receptions the next week against Navy, then didn't catch a pass for the remainder of the season.
He got an opportunity before the opening game of this season, when Patrick Jeffers pulled a hamstring in practice. Owen caught two passes against Michigan in the Pigskin Classic. Another Jeffers injury meant increased playing time against Florida State.
``I had become a little frustrated with myself,'' said Owen, who had a total of one reception in six games before Thursday. ``My confidence wasn't where it should be.''
Owen received a scholarship in the spring, but lost it in the fall because Virginia was at the 85-scholarship NCAA limit. He is at the top of the list for a grant if one becomes available.
``I can't be upset about it,'' said Owen, who has a 3.2 grade-point average in biology and wants to become a doctor. ``I can't expect them to hold a scholarship for somebody you wouldn't expect to play a lot.''
HISTORY-MAKER: Senior wide receiver Pete Allen is the first UVa player ever to have at least 100 yards in receptions in three consecutive games. Only eight players had done it back-to-back.
Allen is averaging an ACC-high 20.1 yards on his 28 receptions, including five catches of 50 yards or more. He never had more than 18 receptions despite starting most of his first three seasons.
INJURIES: The rehabilitation of cornerback Joe Crocker's dislocated toe went more quickly than expected and Crocker was in uniform, although he didn't play, against FSU. ... Welsh isn't optimistic Jeffers' pulled hamstring would allow him to play this week.
1 BETTER THAN 2: Virginia tailback Tiki Barber said he wouldn't trade a victory over Florida State for victories over Michigan and Texas, teams that beat UVa in the final seconds this season.
``No,'' Barber said emphatically. ``No. Not at all. Never. That was the biggest win in Virginia history [and] definitely the biggest win in my career.''
POST MORTEMS: Virginia defensive tackle Todd White said he received a call Saturday from Florida State running back Warrick Dunn, a teammate at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La.
``I talked to him after the game and he kept telling me, `Todd, I got in,''' said White, who lifted Dunn off the ground after the Seminoles star was stopped inches from the goal line on the final play. ``He still thinks he was in.
``He said he knew he initially did not get in, but he said he fumbled and, when he picked up the ball, he had gotten in. I was telling him he was down by the time all that happened.''
EATING DIRT: White, who was nose guard in high school, returned to his old position when the Cavaliers utilized a 3-4 defense against pass-happy FSU.
``They manned up on the two outside guys and basically triple-teamed the middle guy,'' White said. ``I knew what was coming. Early on in the contest, I took a beating.
``At one point, they had me thrown down and had a circle-stomp going on, which I didn't find too appealing. I told Duane [Ashman], `Next time you see them having me on the ground and beating me, maybe you might want to come help.'''
THUNDERFOOT: One reason Virginia was able to upset Florida State, despite four turnovers and a 546-498 deficit in total yardage, was the punting of junior Will Brice.
``He's better than anybody I've ever been around,'' said George Welsh, UVa's coach. ``We had over 100 yards more than them in the kicking game. The average [starting] field position for us was the 44; the average field position for them was the 20.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB