ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 1996 TAG: 9610220081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: UVA NOTES
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
The idea of Virginia cornerback Ronde Barber moonlighting as a wide receiver, once rejected by head coach George Welsh, apparently is not a dead issue.
Barber practiced with the offense during an open week, although he played on defense and special teams exclusively Saturday in a 62-14 victory over North Carolina State.
The experiment was conducted in virtual secrecy until a reporter for UVa's student newspaper raised the issue Monday.
``I think they anticipated doing something Saturday, but they didn't need me,'' said Barber, a two-time All-ACC defensive back. ``The score got a little out of hand a little quickly.
``If it happens, it happens. It seems like it's the wave of the future. I'm willing to do it if [Welsh] needs me. I'm standing right beside him.''
Barber said he worked at wide receiver during full-pads practices Tuesday and Wednesday and that there are two plays on which he could get the ball.
``If I get in, I hope I get in the end zone, man,'' said Barber, still looking for his first collegiate touchdown. ``They won't catch me. I'm too elusive.''
That was followed by a laugh, and the expression on Barber's face made it apparent he was kidding.
``Coach Welsh said, `If you get in the game, don't expect to get a ball the first time you're in there,''' said Barber, who played wide receiver at Cave Spring High School. ``He said to expect to do some blocking. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not counting on it.''
UP THE CHARTS: UVa's other Barber twin, running back Tiki, has moved into fourth place on UVa's all-time rushing list with 2,788 yards. Barber passed current UVa color commentator Frank Quayle on Saturday.
Barber needs to average 112.2 yards in the next five games to break the school record of 3,348 rushing set by Terry Kirby from 1989-92. Kirby is followed by Johnny Papit at 3,238 and Tommy Vigorito at 2,913.
ON THE NET: Tiki Barber, an admitted computer junkie with his own site on the Internet, spoke in admiration of the home page belonging to Florida State split end Wayne Messam.
``He wrote me once and I wrote him back and he told me to check out his home page,'' Barber said. ``It blows mine away. He's got a lot of different [features]. He's a smart guy. I think he's the student-body vice president.''
DONE WITH DUNN: Virginia's trip to Tallahassee, Fla., this weekend will mark the last collegiate meeting between Florida State running back Warrick Dunn and Virginia defensive tackle Todd White, Dunn's teammate at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La.
``The first thing he said when I called him [Sunday] night was, `Man, y'all blowing teams out,''' White said. ``He was like, `What are you all doing up there and what are they feeding you?'
``Normally, I call him up and say, `How many points are you going to beat this team or that team by?' That's been their claim to fame - running up the score on people. He sounded more like what I do when I call him.''
OUT IN THE COLD? Clemson did Virginia no favors Saturday with its 28-25 upset of Georgia Tech, even though the Cavaliers moved into third place in the ACC standings and the Yellow Jackets dropped to fourth.
Clemson's victory set up the possibility of a three-way tie for third among UVa, Georgia Tech and Clemson. In that case, the Peach Bowl might opt for the hometown Yellow Jackets, with the Carquest Bowl likely to go with the best draw, which historically has been Clemson.
Clemson, which has a victory over Division I-AA Furman, must win three of its final four games to have the required six victories over Division I-A opposition. The Tigers (4-3) have games remaining at Virginia and with Maryland, N.C. State and South Carolina at home.
NOW, A CUP: The winner of Saturday's game will be presented the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy, named for UVa founder Thomas Jefferson and his grandson Francis W. Eppes, a three-time mayor of Tallahassee and former trustee of the Seminary of the West, now known as Florida State.
THE ODDS:Since 1992, when Florida State joined the ACC, UVa has been the underdog in five games with the Seminoles and the favorite in 48 of its other 52 games against Division I-A opposition. Florida State is a 16-point favorite this time, down from 181/2 last year when the Cavaliers won 33-28 in Charlottesville.
ODDS 'N' ENDS: Virginia did not have a turnover Saturday for the first time in 21 games dating to a 42-23 victory over Virginia Tech in 1994. One of the most telling statistics to come out of the UVa-N.C. State game was the return yardage - 175-0 in the Cavaliers' favor. UVa kicker Rafael Garcia, who is 10-of-12 on field-goal attempts this year, has missed only from 53 and 49 yards. Virginia is 0-6 in games played in Florida, including losses to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl, Oklahoma in the Gator Bowl and Boston College in the Carquest Bowl.
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: color. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB