ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230044
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
AN IMPACT PLAYER at linebacker as a freshman, Anthony Poindexter is leading Virginia with four interceptions this season as a defensive back.
One question comes to mind when Virginia defensive back Anthony Poindexter says he was in the ``hitting zone'' Saturday against North Carolina State.
When isn't Poindexter in the hitting zone?
Poindexter, who has made a reputation with his ferocious tackling, showed he is far from a one-dimensional player when he intercepted three passes - all in the first half - in the Cavaliers' 62-14 romp over the Wolfpack.
``Poindexter is a great football player and I think the players who play against him know that,'' said George Welsh, UVa's football coach. ``I'm not sure the ACC knows it and I'm not sure the nation knows it, but he'll get his recognition in due time.''
That time could be any moment.
Poindexter has moved into second place in the ACC with four interceptions and also has blocked two kicks. He ranks third among the Cavaliers with 45 tackles, including a team-high 10 against the Wolfpack.
This from a player who spent virtually the entire 1995 season at linebacker.
``I'm going to have to show people I can still play safety,'' the sophomore said on the eve of preseason practice. ``I think a lot of people got comfortable seeing me at linebacker and will be looking to see if the coaches made a mistake moving me back.''
There even was some fear among the coaches that Poindexter was so eager to support the run that he might neglect his coverage duties. They aren't worried any more.
``He's been smart,'' Welsh said after the N.C. State game. ``He's a smart football player. I don't think he's been fooled yet.''
Some people may have forgotten Poindexter had played safety for all of his career before last year. He had five interceptions as a senior at Jefferson Forest High School and reporters still talk about Poindexter's spectacular interception return for a touchdown in the Virginia State Coaches' Association all-star game.
Until Saturday, however, he had one interception this year and two in his college career.
``It's kind of ironic that I had three Saturday, because the guys had been kidding me about it Thursday in practice,'' Poindexter said. ``I thought I had one against Wake Forest, but the refs said I trapped it. Then, against Central Michigan, they said I caught one out of bounds.
``By my count, I've got six already.''
Officially, the Cavaliers (5-1) have 15 as a team. Auburn is the only other NCAA Division I-A team with as many as 15 interceptions and Virginia has played one fewer game than the Tigers.
Virginia has extended its streak of games with at least one interception to 35 despite losing three starters from its 1995 starting secondary.
``We gave [Poindexter] pretty much hell because he only had the two interceptions,'' said Ronde Barber, the lone holdover. ``He had to shut us up and he did it pretty effectively. But we know what he can do. Everybody around here knows how good he is.''
Teammates have learned not to turn their backs on him. A particularly crunching Poindexter hit caused freshman running back Thomas Jones to miss four days of preseason practice with a concussion.
``I think one of his biggest hits Saturday was on `Squirt,''' said Barber, referring to 5-foot-8 UVa defensive back Sam McKiver. ``Sam was trying to get somebody down and `Dex' came flying into him [and] hit helmet to helmet. It's something you've got to be worried about.
``He's a nut case back there.''
Poindexter, considered undersized as a 202-pound linebacker, weighed 220 when he reported to preseason practice this year. He's down to 215 and feels comfortable at that weight, distributed over a 6-foot-1 frame.
``I think I'm quicker now than I was when I was at linebacker,'' Poindexter said. ``I lifted weights harder this summer than I ever had before and I think that helped me out, too.''
Maybe the fear of failure helped. Poindexter had known nothing but success at Jefferson Forest, where he was named Group AA's player of the year in 1993 after the second of back-to-back state championships.
``There's always something in the back of your mind,'' Poindexter said. ``You're wondering, `Can I play as well at safety as I did at linebacker?' A lot of people thought I just went out to hit and really wasn't into pass coverage.''
N.C. State won't be making that assumption any time soon.
``I don't think too many people know about me [nationally] considering this is my first year at safety,'' Poindexter said. ``That's fine with me. I'd rather have them recognize me for my play on the field. If I continue to do good things, I'll get noticed.''
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN/Staff. 1. Anthony Poindexter (3) makes oneby CNBof his three interceptions Saturday against North Carolina State.
The sophomore safety ranks second in the ACC with four pickoffs. 2.
(headshots) Poindexter. color.