ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 8, 1996 TAG: 9609090141
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: METRO
BENCHED: While the Virginia Pep Band sat in the stands, the Virginia State Marching Trojan Explosion performed before the game and at halftime Saturday night at Scott Stadium.
The UVa Pep Band, whose caustic brand of humor has been offensive to some, has been banned from the field while the school takes a look at other musical alternatives.
The Marching Trojan Explosion, which shares the Cavaliers' orange and blue colors, was available Saturday night because Virginia State was playing on the road at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, N.C.
CHIPPEWA CONNECTION: When Virginia went after George Welsh for its head-coaching vacancy in 1981, one of the darkhorse candidates for the job was then-Central Michigan coach Herb Deromedi.
Deromedi, who also was linked with the Duke job at one point, compiled a 110-55-10 record and won three Mid-American Conference championships in 16 seasons as the Chippewas' coach, 1978-93.
Deromedi, given his option of becoming athletic director or remaining as football coach following the 1993 season, chose the former and yielded coaching duties to longtime aide Dick Flynn.
TICKET RECORD: Virginia announced that 25,481 season tickets had been sold as of Friday. That easily topped the previous record of 24,514 set in 1992. Single-game tickets remain only for Virginia's game with Maryland next week.
STREAK CONTINUES: Virginia extended its streak of games with at least one interception to 30 on a diving pickoff by junior cornerback Steven Phelan with 4:42 remaining in the second quarter.
It was the first career interception for Phelan, a walk-on from Montgomery, Ala. The NCAA is recognizing Virginia's streak as a Division I record for the first time this year.
ODDS 'N' ENDS: Tim Sherman's first completion as Virginia's starting quarterback was a 28-yarder to senior tight end Walt Derey from Roanoke. It was the longest reception of Derey's college career.
Sophomore Wali Rainer started at middle linebacker after moving ahead of redshirt freshman Dillon Taylor during the preseason. Rainer was a reserve outside linebacker last season.
INJURY REPORT
Virginia place-kicker Rafael Garcia, who had two field goals and six extra points, had to be helped from the field after making a tackle on a kickoff with 2:46 left in the third quarter.
Garcia later could be seen speaking with teammates on the sideline, but 5-foot-5, 127-pound backup Whitney Magers took his place on a 38-yard field-goal attempt that was blocked early in the fourth quarter.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Cavaliers (1-0) will be looking for their fifth consecutive victory over Maryland when the Terrapins visit Scott Stadium at noon. Maryland improved its record to 2-0 with a victory over Alabama-Birmingham.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB