ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 2, 1996 TAG: 9610020039
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
UVA'S JAMES FARRIOR, a former high school running back, is barreling over quarterbacks.
James Farrior was so painfully shy as a freshman that, when Virginia's defense would hold its weekly meetings, he wouldn't say a word.
``He would come to me during the week with a list of questions,'' UVa defensive coordinator Rick Lantz said. ``He'd have them written down.
``You could see right away that he was a thinking man's player.''
On a UVa defense that has become increasingly talkative, Farrior still doesn't have much to say. The way he's playing, however, it's been hard to ignore him.
Farrior, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior linebacker, was primarily responsible for the demise of quarterback James Brown on Saturday in UVa's 37-13 victory over 13th-ranked Texas.
Brown's last pass of the evening was intercepted by Farrior, whose 15-yard return set up the field goal that put Virginia ahead 24-0. An earlier Farrior sack had caused a fumble and left Brown rolling from side to side on the Scott Stadium turf.
``I think [Brown] was really stung,'' Lantz said. ``He hit him a ton.''
Brown, replaced by Richard Walton in the second quarter, has received treatment for a shoulder injury that may have been aggravated, if not caused, by Farrior's hit.
``I don't know if he was hurt or not,'' Farrior said, ``but I know I hit him pretty hard. When I feel a little dizzy, I know he's feeling it, too.''
Although he has showed a propensity for big plays, Farrior entered the season with 1 1/2 sacks for his career. That was no surprise, given UVa's reluctance to ``send'' its linebackers.
Like a third-base coach giving the steal sign, Lantz has let Farrior run this year and the result has been three sacks and a pair of quarterback ``hurries.''
``I think a lot of people were wondering why we didn't blitz more,'' Farrior said. ``I think coach Lantz decided we needed to be a lot more aggressive.''
Lantz contends that blitzing linebackers can be successful only if the front four is keeping the pass protectors honest. More depth on the defensive line has led to a more rested and a more effective defensive line this year.
``I think everybody has to pressure more than they have in the past,'' Lantz said. ``You have to try and get the ball out of the quarterback's hand so those 10- and 12-yard passes, which used to be automatic, aren't so automatic anymore.''
If the Cavaliers aren't blitzing, there could be worse situations than having Farrior in pass coverage. He has two interceptions this year, one of which he returned 55 yards for a touchdown against Central Michigan, and seven for his career.
Farrior rushed for more than 1,000 yards and had 19 receptions as a senior at Matoaca High School, so it shouldn't be surprising that he ranks fourth on UVa's all-time list in interception return yardage (172).
``I love it when I have the ball,'' said Farrior, once considered as a short-yardage running back by Welsh. ``As soon as I get an interception, I'm thinking, `Running back. Take it in for the touchdown.'
``I think I'm a pretty good runner. My mom told me the other day that I looked like Tiki [Barber] after I got that interception. My brother had a little bit to say about that.''
Farrior's brother, Matt, is a sophomore at Matoaca, where he plays linebacker and running back. James was a defensive end and running back in high school, although there was never any question that he would play linebacker at Virginia.
He was a back-up as a ``true'' freshman in 1993 and is in his third year as a starter. UVa's other bookend at the outside linebacker spot is Jamie Sharper, a four-year starter.
``That's the best pair I've ever been associated with,'' said Lantz, a college assistant for 26 seasons.''
When Sharper missed two games last year, Farrior stepped forward and led the team in tackles with 122. He also blocked three punts and was named second-team All-ACC.
Nevertheless, in most discussions of the top linebackers in the ACC, Sharper and Farrior invariably are mentioned after a trio of linebackers at North Carolina, Ron Rogers and Keith Brooking at Georgia Tech, Clemson's Anthony Simmons or Florida State's Darryl Bush.
``It seems that some of the other guys get a lot more publicity,'' Farrior said. ``It doesn't make us mad, but we were watching the Carolina game [on television] Saturday and they did a little piece on the 'backers. That really got us fired up.''
Sharper and Farrior continue to climb UVa's tackles list, standing fourth and sixth after the victory over Texas. At their current rate, they should finish 2-3 behind Charles McDaniel, who had 432 tackles between 1982-85 for defenses that spent much more time on the field.
``I think I've had a good career,'' Farrior said. ``I think there's a lot more out there for me. When I come off the field for the last time, I want them to say, `He was one of the best who ever played here.'''
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN/Staff. Whether rushing the passer orby CNBcovering receivers, James Farrior can dominate a game. color.