ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609300140
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
Nobody would have predicted that Texas would be the first team to change quarterbacks Saturday at Virginia.
UVa coach George Welsh, whose intention was to use backup Aaron Brooks in the first half, liked what he saw and stayed with starter Tim Sherman.
Texas quarterback James Brown, last year's Southwest Conference Player of the Year, did not survive the second quarter after having a hand in three interceptions and a fumble.
Longhorns coach John Mackovic went to 6-foot-5 sophomore Richard Walton, a 72.2-percent passer in limited action, after Brown was intercepted for the third time with 13 minutes, 15 seconds remaining in the first half.
Walton completed five of six passes before a missed 39-yard field-goal attempt by Phil Dawson.
BAD TIMING
There was little more than a drizzle in Charlottesville on Saturday until 20 minutes before game time. Pregame fireworks took the place of lightning, but by kickoff it was pouring.
A FACTOR EARLY
Virginia wide receiver Germane Crowell, whose availability was in question, started and caught a 31-yard pass on the Cavaliers' first offensive play. Crowell has a dislocated toe that caused him to miss UVa's 42-7 victory over Wake Forest last Saturday.
BY THE NUMBERS
It took only three plays for Virginia to extend its NCAA record of games with an interception to 33. Sophomore safety Anthony Poindexter intercepted James Brown's second attempt.
MISCELLANY
Texas became only the second team from west of the Mississippi to come to Charlottesville. The first was Kansas in 1991.
Texas has played only one other ACC team during the regular season, Maryland in 1959 and '60. The 1960 Maryland-Texas game represented the Longhorns' only previous visit to an ACC school.
The Longhorns were 7-2 against ACC teams before Saturday night, including a victory over then-ACC member South Carolina in 1957. Both of the losses were to North Carolina in bowl games.
INJURY REPORT
Texas wide receiver Matt Davis had to be helped from the field after a hit by UVa safety Anthony Poindexter with four minutes remaining in the first half.
Texas was without inside linebacker Dusty Renfro, a starter, who didn't make the trip after undergoing thumb surgery.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Cavaliers will visit Georgia Tech (3-1 overall, 3-1 ACC) next Saturday in a game that will be televised by ABC at 3:30 p.m. The Yellow Jackets will have a nine-day break after defeating Duke 48-22 Thursday night in a game they led 38-0 at the half.
LENGTH: Medium: 63 linesby CNB