ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610280128
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: TALLAHASSEE, FLA.
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
The odds are smaller. The challenge isn't.
In many ways, Virginia faces a more daunting task today than it did a year ago, when it became the first - and still the only - ACC football team to defeat Florida State.
``Florida State, first of all, doesn't lose at home hardly ever,'' UVa co-captain Todd White said. ``So, what are the odds of them losing another ACC game, and at home, and to Virginia?
``It isn't in the cards, I'm sure a lot of people are thinking. But, I'm not into horoscopes and all that stuff, even though I'm from Louisiana. I'm into voodoo, but, see, voodoo's real and all that other stuff's not.''
White might want to see what kind of spell he can concoct before 3:30 this afternoon because 14th-ranked Virginia (5-1 overall, 3-1 ACC) can use all the help it can get against No.3 Florida State (5-0, 4-0).
``We're going to fill the stadium this week; that'll tell you something,'' said Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, upset by the no-shows at games with Duke and Clemson. ``Right now, our kids are leery of them.''
Virginia was an 18 1/2-point underdog when it defeated the Seminoles 33-28 last year in Charlottesville. This year, Florida State is favored by 17 points, up from 16 to start the week.
Although there has been considerable buildup, today's game lost some of its luster three weeks ago when Georgia Tech upset Virginia 13-7 in Atlanta. Otherwise, Virginia probably would have been in the top 10.
``I've had so many people tell me, `We were really looking forward to two undefeated teams playing in Tallahassee,''' Virginia defensive back Ronde Barber said. ``It was going to be a big, big game.''
It's still a big, big game for the Seminoles, who were in the shadow of Virginia's goalpost last season when tailback Warrick Dunn was stopped inches from the end zone on Florida State's final play.
``It was the most ecstatic feeling I've ever had in my life,'' said UVa tailback Tiki Barber, who rushed for a career-high 193 yards. ``I've watched the whole thing in its entirety maybe 50 times. I still get chills every time I see it.''
Bowden has watched the tape a few times himself.
``Are you kidding me?'' Bowden said. ``Yeah, I've looked at it quite a few times. Our offensive coordinator called the play and I agreed with it. They were using a three-man line, so we felt maybe the run would catch 'em. And, it did.
``He started fumbling the ball. If he had gotten a good grip on the ball, I don't know how in the world they could have stopped him. But, we could never see the end of the play. Our film never shows the end of the play.''
So, is it possible Dunn scored?
``Are you trying to start an argument or a war?'' Bowden responded. ``It was not a touchdown, no matter what I think. If those officials don't raise their arms and say, `Touchdown,' you don't get it, so there was no point past that.''
The teams combined for 1,044 yards in an offensive extravaganza that saw Seminoles quarterback Danny Kanell complete 32 of 67 passes for 454 yards. Barber had 311 all-purpose yards and Virginia quarterback Mike Groh passed for 302 yards.
Nobody is expecting another offensive show. Virginia's first-team defense has given up four touchdowns all season, two in the past five games. Florida State, meanwhile, has not given up a run of more than 14 yards all season.
``Nothing over 14 yards?'' marveled George Welsh, Virginia's coach. ``That's amazing. They are one of the best-tackling teams I've ever seen. It's hard to get extra yards on them.''
Virginia has scored in an ACC-high 147 consecutive games, a streak that could be in jeopardy today. The Seminoles blanked No.9 North Carolina 13-0 and rank second in Division I-A in total defense, second in rushing defense and third in scoring defense.
The Seminoles will be at full strength, too, after linebacker Henri Crockett was reinstated by the NCAA. His eligibility was in question after he accepted a jersey belonging to Miami's Kenny Holmes.
``I think it's kind of silly,'' Bowden said, ``but it's probably something the NCAA had to follow up on because of the publicity it got. If the kids hadn't had their picture in the paper, who knows? I haven't worried about it one drop.''
Florida State has been led by defensive ends Peter Boulware and Reinard Wilson, who have combined for 17 sacks and 35 tackles for loss. UVa will be blocking them with a pair of first-year starters, Doug Karczewski and Julius Williams.
``What we've tried to impress on our quarterbacks is that, if the receiver's not open, then they better take off boom-boom, because they're going to sack you if you don't,'' Welsh said.
The Seminoles are looking for their 21st consecutive homecoming victory at Doak Campbell Stadium, where they are 20-0 against ACC teams and 41-1-1 since Clemson beat then-independent Florida State here in 1989.
Bowden said he hasn't mentioned revenge this week - ``You can get beat talking about revenge,'' he said - while Welsh has avoided all mention of last year's game, except when pressed by the media.
``All this week we've kept bringing it up,'' Welsh said. ``I'm getting tired of it, actually. Let's get on with it. All this talk about last year's game may be good for Florida State, but it's not helping us.''
LENGTH: Medium: 97 linesby CNB