ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 29, 1996 TAG: 9612310037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MIAMI
TYPE: CARQUEST BOWL NOTES
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
There was no wave to the crowd or last, nostalgic look around Pro Player Stadium to indicate Ronde Barber was experiencing his last college go-'round Friday night.
But a possibility exists - maybe a strong possibility exists - that Barber will announce in the next two weeks that he is making himself available for the NFL draft.
``You know me, I'm not going to say either way tonight,'' said Barber, a three-time All-ACC defensive back from Cave Spring High School, ``but, I've been juggling with it every day here. It's time to make a decision.''
It was once believed that Barber, a fourth-year junior, would pass up his final season of college eligibility. Then, late in the regular season, it appeared he might be wavering.
His performance Friday night, when he broke a Carquest Bowl record with two interceptions, may have given him the push he needed.
``If this was my last game - if I decide to leave or whatever - I think I left a lasting mark,'' he said.
If he decides to turn pro, Barber must notify the NFL in writing by Jan.10. He can get information on his draft prospects by sending a letter to the NFL Advisory Committee, composed of general managers, before Jan.6.
``I haven't sent the letter,'' he said. ``I don't know if I will. They're going to lie to me anyway. You know how that goes. It's my choice. I've got to do what's right for me.''
UVa coach George Welsh, in a meeting with reporters Saturday, said he had not addressed the issue with Barber but did speak briefly with Barber's mother on Friday night.
``Didn't he make a comment that he's tired of going to school?'' Welsh asked. ``He's going to graduate [in May]. He's got a good degree.
``I will say this: If he's going to be a low-round choice, then it would be better for him to come back. He could always get better. A couple of the people we've talked to say they're not sure.''
Welsh expressed interest in using Barber on offense if he returns.
``We practiced him some [at wide receiver] this year,'' Welsh said, ``but I didn't want to try it in [the] bowl because I thought it would take away from our offense. We were already thin at cornerback.''
HURRICANES, TOO: It seems to be a foregone conclusion at Miami that strong safety Tremain Mack, who returned a fumble and an interception Friday night, will skip his final season of college eligibility.
``I don't know what else I can prove at the University of Miami,'' said Mack, who came back from a two-game, alcohol-related suspension at midseason. ``I'll debate it over the next couple of days. But, this game isn't about me. This is about the University of Miami. It's about team.''
Also NFL-bound could be junior wide receiver Yatil Green, who caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Clement on the third play of the game. Green had one other reception, a 7-yarder, before leaving the game with a suspected broken jaw, although X-rays later proved negative.
MORE ON LANTZ There are fears among UVa fans that Texas A&M will get into a bidding war with the Cavaliers over Rick Lantz, who has guided the UVa defense to respectability in his six seasons as coordinator.
``Rick's going to be in demand,'' Welsh said. ``I don' think there's any question he's done a really good job here. I think some of the things we're doing defensively are really good.''
Virginia should have learned its lesson about exercising budgetary restraints. UVa has had three strength coaches in less than four years, mainly because then-athletic director Jim Copeland took too long in offering John Gamble a raise after the 1993 season.
THE CROWD: The Carquest Bowl committee can't be too upset by the crowd of 46,481, second-largest in the last five years. Miami drew 75,913 for Florida State, but did not have a crowd as big as 40,000 for any of its five other home games at the Orange Bowl.
ODDS 'N' ENDS: Back-to-back Miami blocks of Rafael Garcia field-goal attempts were the first Garcia has suffered in his three years as the Cavaliers' place-kicker. A 58-yard return by UVa linebacker Shannon Taylor was the longest in Carquest Bowl history. Taylor is a redshirt freshman from Roanoke.
Staff writer Jack Bogaczyk contributed information to this story.
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN Staff. Virginia's Maurice Anderson (right)by CNBconsoles quarterback Aaron Brooks as the Carquest Bowl nears its end
Friday night.