THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 27, 1994 TAG: 9409270438
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
For better or worse, the Virginia Cavaliers are sticking with starting quarterback Symmion Willis.
After a week of evaluation, coach George Welsh announced Monday that Willis will start Saturday against William and Mary.
``We're hoping he gets back in the groove,'' Welsh said.
While Willis (19-of-42 for 195 yards) has not finished either of the two games he has started this season, Welsh said he has not played poorly enough to lose the starting job.
Still, the decision left backup Mike Groh (42-of-61 for 449 yards) wondering what he has to do to win the starting job.
Groh, who leads the ACC in passing efficiency, was at the controls of the offense for seven of Virginia's eight touchdowns this season, passing for five and running for two. (The eighth was Tiki Barber's 74-yard punt return against Navy).
Willis, who started and was relieved by Groh in the Florida State and Clemson games, has not been on the field for a touchdown this season.
So, on what did Welsh base his decision?
He said Willis has a stronger arm and ``has played a lot.''
Translated, that means Virginia has invested too much time (last season, spring practice and preseason) in Willis to give up on him after three games.
Willis, who expected to keep his starting job, has blamed his inconsistency this season on mental mistakes and pressing too much.
Welsh went back and forth between the two quarterbacks during the Clemson game, in which the offense committed seven turnovers. Willis and Groh each threw a pair of interceptions.
After the Clemson game, he admitted that he made a mistake by trying to play both quarterbacks. He promised during the off week to pick one or the other and to try to stay with him for the remainder of the season.
``I told Mike that I'd try to get him some playing time, but there was no guarantee,'' Welsh said.
Groh was reluctant to discuss the decision because, he said, Welsh advised him not to talk to the media ``for a few days.'' But, after saying he might ``get in a lot of trouble,'' he answered several questions.
``I want to play, just like everyone else,'' Groh said. ``I've had a lot of chances to play the first three games and, hopefully, that will continue. But coach said he couldn't guarantee anything.''
Groh, a 6-foot-3 junior, said he felt that his two interceptions against Clemson cost him the chance to win the starting job.
``I could have made the decision a lot clearer for them (the coaches),'' Groh said. ``Still, most of the time when I have been in the games, the offense produced. That is all I can go on.''
Willis started all 12 games for Virginia last season. The 6-4 junior from Atlanta set a single-season passing record with 2,347 yards, but his performance slumped in the stretch. After giving up only four interceptions in the first seven games, he was intercepted 10 times in the final four regular-season contests.
Groh played only briefly last season but did well in relief of Willis in the final regular-season game against Virginia Tech, completing five of five passes. He completed both of his passes, too, in the Carquest Bowl.
Groh took over from Willis midway in the third period of the season opener against Florida State and passed for both Virginia touchdowns in a 41-17 defeat.
With Willis nursing a pulled hamstring the following week against Navy, Groh got his first career start. He passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in a 47-10 victory. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Although Mike Groh, left, leads the ACC in passing efficiency, he
has not been able to usurp Symmion Willis.
by CNB