ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 22, 1996 TAG: 9609230143
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
Wake Forest had lost 30 consecutive games to ranked teams before beating Northwestern 28-27 on Sept.7. Another streak started Saturday in the return of former Deacons broadcaster Mac McDonald to Groves Stadium.
McDonald called Wake games from 1990 until this season, when he returned to Virginia, where he had worked from 1980-85. McDonald said he mistakenly turned toward the Deacons' radio booth when he entered the press box Saturday.
MORE YOUTH
Antwan Harris, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back from Raleigh, N.C., made his first appearance of the season as one of the backups to Stephen Phelan at free safety for UVa.
Harris became the third 1995 recruit to play for the Cavaliers, joining running back Thomas Jones and wide receiver Demetrius Dotson, both of whom played Saturday. They were the only ``true'' freshmen to make the trip.
The Cavaliers might have been able to hold out Harris if not for an injury to regular free safety Joe Williams. Williams had hoped to play Saturday but was sidelined for the second consecutive game with a groin pull.
EXTRA DUTY
Anthony Southern, who had been sharing backup tailback duties with Jones, saw playing time at fullback Saturday and actually was paired with Jones at one point.
Jones, the second tailback in the game for the Cavaliers, rambled 64 yards on one fourth-quarter run before an illegal block reduced the official gain to 32 yards. He finished with 67 yards on 10 carries.
Jones finished with 103 all-purpose yards, including an 11-yard punt return in relief of a fatigued Tiki Barber, and a 25-yard pass reception.
BY THE NUMBERS
Wake Forest has rushed for a total of minus-8 yards in its past three games against Virginia, including minus-21 yards two years ago in a 41-6 loss at Groves Stadium.
The low output by a UVa opponent before Saturday was minus-42 yards by Maryland against the Cavaliers in 1992. That was the year Virginia led Division I in rushing defense.
Virginia has had 500 yards or more of total offense in 27 games during coach George Welsh's tenure. Nine of those games have come against Wake Forest, including a 522-yard effort Saturday. UVa had 320 yards at the half.
Linebacker Jamie Sharper extended the Cavaliers' NCAA-record streak of 32 games with at least one interception when he picked off a pass that had bounced off Kai Snead's hands in the second quarter.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Cavaliers (3-0) entertain sixth-ranked Texas (2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in a game that will be televised by ESPN. The Longhorns upset Virginia 17-16 last year in Austin, Texas, on a 50-yard field goal as time expired.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 linesby CNB