ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 2, 1996 TAG: 9609030163
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
SENIOR TIM SHERMAN will start for the Cavs, but Aaron Brooks also will see action against Central Michigan.
With Mike Groh's departure this past spring, Virginia's football team knew it would open the season with a different quarterback for the sixth time in the 1990s.
Coach George Welsh revealed the new starter's identity Sunday, naming senior Tim Sherman the starter for the Cavaliers' opener Saturday night against Central Michigan at Scott Stadium. Welsh also indicated sophomore Aaron Brooks, the player Sherman beat out for the starting job, would play against the Chippewas.
Welsh spoke with both quarterbacks Sunday and told Sherman he would be the starter. ``I also told Tim Sherman and Aaron Brooks that Aaron is much improved and has earned the right to play,'' Welsh said.
``We felt like Timmy had a little bit of an edge, but just a little bit at this point, so he earned that starting job. But Aaron needs to play and not just a token series because we feel he has improved so much. It was a very close competition.''
Sherman, in his fifth year in the program, played in six games last season, completing 11 of 17 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Brooks, a redshirt sophomore, played in one game last season and attempted two passes.
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: headshot of Sherman colorby CNB