THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409230685
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
When University of Virginia teammates refer to wide receiver Tyrone Davis as ``TD,'' it isn't only because those are his initials.
The letters also represent Davis' ability to score touchdowns on the football field.
The 6-foot-5 senior from South Boston, Va., is chasing the record for most touchdown receptions in school history, 27, held by his predecessor Herman Moore.
``The biggest personal goal I have set for myself this season is to break that record,'' said Davis, whose three scoring receptions against Navy increased his career total to 21.
If Davis does break Moore's record, he also would move ahead of him into second place for career touchdown catches in ACC history.
The league record, 38, was set by former Duke All-American Clarkston Hines from 1986 to 1989.
Moore set school records for most touchdown receptions and receiving yards (2,504) between 1988 and 1990.
Davis arrived in Charlottesville a couple of months after Moore graduated and was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by Detroit.
It did not take long for the media and fans to begin comparing the freshman Davis to Moore, who had been a first-team All-American his senior year.
Davis, like Moore, was 6-foot-5 and had exceptional quickness. He showed right away, too, he could make the big plays.
His first catch, in the third game against Georgia Tech, resulted in a 72-yard touchdown. His next catch, a game later against Duke, went for a 14-yard touchdown.
``I never thought people were expecting too much when they began comparing me to Herman so quickly,'' Davis said.
``I heard a lot of that talk after my first touchdown in the Georgia Tech game, but I just blew it off. I had expected to come here and make an impact on the team.
``Regardless of who they compared me to, I knew what I could do, and it was just a matter of me going out there and doing it.''
Although Davis is closing in on Moore's touchdown record and is one of the best ``big play'' receivers in the league (21 of his 23 receptions last year went for either a touchdown or a first down), he has yet to collect any postseason honors.
``I feel I have been neglected or overlooked,'' admitted Davis, who also was not selected for the preseason All-ACC team.
The omission probably was the result of Davis' disappointing junior year, in which he suffered a late-season thumb injury and the team struggled offensively in the final six games.
``After looking at what I had done in my first two years, I came into last season expecting 30 catches, 800 yards and at least 10 touchdowns,'' Davis recalled.
It didn't happen. He had 23 catches, 449 yards and six touchdowns.
``I started off well,'' he said. ``In the first couple of games I had like 250 yards. I thought all my goals were coming into view. Then, we had that big slump at the end of the year.''
Davis complained frequently in the second half of the season that he was not getting enough passes thrown to him.
During the off-season, he raised that complaint again to the coaching staff.
``The coaches told me, this being my last year, they were going to try to get me the ball more,'' Davis said. ``I realize, though, we have other talented receivers.''
Virginia coach George Welsh admits he wants his quarterbacks throwing more to Davis.
``He is a big-league receiver, and our offense is more effective when we get him involved,'' Welsh said.
This season started slowly for Davis, who missed part of the first game against Florida State with an injury and had only one scoreless reception.
Davis, who injured his thumb while on the punt-return team last season, suffered a bruised knee during a kickoff return against Florida State.
No longer a member of the special teams, Davis in the last two games has had 13 receptions for 214 yards and three touchdowns.
``I feel I have a good chance to break the touchdown record and move up the lists in some other categories,'' Davis said.
``I know career catches is out of reach (John Ford holds the record at 128, Davis has 79), but maybe I can come close to the career receiving yards record.''
That record is held by Moore at 2,504. Davis has 1,681.
Meanwhile, Davis contends that it makes no difference who will be throwing the football to him when the Cavaliers return from this week's open date to play William and Mary on Oct. 1.
With starting quarterback Symmion Willis off to a slow start, backup Mike Groh is making a strong challenge to win the starting job.
Davis said Willis is more of a scrambler and has a stronger arm, while Groh is a better drop-back passer and a more vocal leader on the field.
``They have different styles, but I think we can win with either of them,'' Davis said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Tyrone Davis has caught 21 touchdown passes at U.Va. The school's
record is 27.
by CNB