THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 20, 1994 TAG: 9408200367
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Virginia linebacker Skeet Jones, a junior from Virginia Beach, will miss the Cavaliers' first preseason scrimmage today because of a concussion.
Coach George Welsh said Friday that Jones received the injury in practice Thursday.
Jones, listed on the depth chart as the No. 1 backup to starters Randy Neal and Jamie Sharper, is expected to play a key role in the defense this season.
Jones should return to contact drills soon.
Meanwhile, Welsh said that Paul London, who was expected to start at safety, probably will miss the season opener against Florida State.
London had knee surgury in July and has not begun practice.
If London is not ready for the opener, Welsh said he probably would move Carl Smith from cornerback to safety.
That could open up early playing time for redshirt freshman Joe Williams from Chesapeake. Williams currently is listed No. 3 behind Smith at cornerback.
COVER STORY: Welsh admitted he was a little surprised when he saw the cover of this year's media guide, which shows a Virginia player crunching a player in a North Carolina uniform.
``When I saw that, I thought it might wind up on their locker-room bulletin board,'' Welsh said.
Strangely, the color drawing is a reproduction of a photo from last year's Clemson game, and the uniform was changed to North Carolina's.
The cover was designed by Craig Hornberger, the athletic department's director of publications.
North Carolina players already have seen the media guide.
``It doesn't surprise me,'' UNC cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock said. ``Everyone hates us.''
FOR KICKS: Rafael Garcia is pushing Kyle Kirkeide to become the No. 1 placekicker.
``It is Kirkeide's job right now, but Garcia could win it,'' Welsh said.
Kirkeide led the team in scoring as a freshman last year with 60 points. He made all 36 extra-point attempts and eight of 12 field-goal attempts.
He also handled kickoffs until Garcia won that job from him midway through the season.
GETTING NOTICE: Redshirt freshman Derick Byrd has made quite an impression in preseason camp since moving from quarterback to wide receiver.
Quarterback Symmion Willis said Byrd, from Fredericksburg, is becoming one of his favorite receivers.
``I can understand why Symmion would say that,'' Welsh said. ``I wouldn't say Byrd is a natural, but he's the next thing to it. He has a long ways to go, but he's a good athlete. I am glad we made the switch because he's too good to be on the bench.''
Byrd currently is listed on the depth chart behind starter Pete Allen of Norfolk and Kendall Meade. by CNB