THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 3, 1994 TAG: 9409030632
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: TALLAHASSEE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Nine months ago, when George Welsh first learned Virginia would open its football season against Florida State, he thought it might be a blessing.
The Seminoles, coming off their first national championship, would be breaking in a new quarterback, and they are a team with the reputation of getting better as the season goes on.
The timing seemed even better when it was announced during the summer that some Florida State players, including All-American linebacker Derrick Brooks, would have to sit out the game because of NCAA rules violations.
But, lately, Welsh has become less confident that the schedule-maker did him and the Cavaliers a favor by sending them to Tallahassee for today's regionally-televised season opener against the fourth-ranked Seminoles.
``The closer we get eye-to-eye to what we face, the more I see what we are going to be up against,'' Welsh says.
Losing a Heisman-winning quarterback like Charlie Ward and being without the best defensive player might soften most teams. But most teams don't have the pool of reserve talent the Seminoles have.
``I don't think they will miss Ward that much, and they will get good play out of their other linebackers,'' Welsh predicts.
Junior Danny Kanell, who will start at quarterback for the Seminoles, already is experienced in replacing Ward. When an injury sidelined Ward for the Maryland game last season, Kanell took over and led the Seminoles to a 49-20 victory, hitting 28 of 38 passes for 341 yards and five touchdowns.
``I have watched film of that game, and I was very impressed with Kanell,'' Welsh says. ``He was very poised and very mature.
``He isn't as elusive as Ward was, but when he stays in the pocket and gets good protection, he can be just as effective.''
Kanell quickly agrees he is a different type of player than Ward.
``I was as amazed as everyone else by watching all the things Charlie did the last two years,'' he says.
``Charlie was such a great scrambler that I can't see myself doing the same things. I have to use the skills that I have the best I can.''
Ironically, the quarterback in today's game who most closely resembles Ward will be Virginia's Symmion Willis.
``He's got a little Charlie in him,'' Florida State coach Bobby Bowden says. ``I think he is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and can really be outstanding if he gets some protection from his line.''
Virginia has only one starter returning to his old position in the offensive line.
``Symmion has had a good preseason, but we haven't had the protection for him that we would like,'' Welsh says.
``I was really worried about the offensive line after our second scrimmage, but it seems to have gotten better this week.''
NOTES: FSU is 2-0 against Virginia, including last year's 40-14 victory. has a 12-game home winning streak. ... The Cavaliers are 69-25-9 in season-openers, but are 0-5 in the games played in the state of Florida. by CNB