THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410010407
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long : 120 lines
Now that Virginia quarterback Symmion Willis has received a vote of confidence from his coaches, he is hoping to give himself a much needed shot of confidence in today's 1 p.m. homecoming game against William and Mary in Scott Stadium.
``I need to go out and have a good game and play the way I know I can without worrying about making mistakes,'' Willis said.
Although backup quarterback Mike Groh has taken the Cavaliers to seven of their eight touchdowns this season - and Willis has yet to get the team into the end zone - George Welsh and offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien agreed earlier this week that Willis would retain his starting job.
``We know what he is capable of doing and hope he can get back in the groove,'' Welsh said.
While William and Mary is ranked eighth in Division I-AA, Willis should enjoy an opportunity to get back in the groove against the Tribe.
This will be a final tuneup for the Cavaliers before they swing back into their ACC schedule with road games at Wake Forest and Georgia Tech.
Coming into the season, the Cavaliers had no reason to suspect the quarterback position would be a problem.
Willis was the team's first returning starter at quarterback in four seasons, and Welsh had every reason to believe he would build on his accomplishments last season, when he passed for 2,347 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Willis, though, has struggled and admits his self-confidence has suffered.
``I don't know what to do about that,'' Welsh said. ``He has to come out of it himself.''
Welsh held a private meeting with Willis earlier this week.
``I told him he has to work harder,'' Welsh said. ``I know he is putting in a lot of time, but he needs to find a little more time and visualize things more.
``He just needs to get himself ready to play and I think it will work out.''
Virginia has won the last four games against William and Mary, and leads the series, 24-5-1. The Tribe last won in 1986, and like that William and Mary team, this team is loaded with size and experience.
``But the fact that it wasn't Virginia's strongest team had something to do with that,'' Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock said of 1986.
As is usual when the I-AA Tribe challenges a I-A foe, size and depth are problems.
``We're a little bit bigger than we've been up front, but they've got an advantage there,'' Laycock said. ``Not just in size, but in speed. This is a very quick, agile Virginia team, especially on defense.
``We'll play the best people we can and line up and play. Hopefully we can do it over the full course of a ballgame.''
The series is scheduled to end after next season.
Virginia athletic director Jim Copeland announced last week two other scheduled games against the Tribe have been canceled to clear future U.Va. schedules of Division I-AA opponents. MEMO: Staff writer Harry Minium contributed to this story.
ILLUSTRATION: ACC AT A GLANCE
WILLIAM AND MARY vs. VIRGINIA
Where: Scott Stadium (42,000) in Charlottesville.
When: 1 p.m.
Records: Virginia is 2-1, 1-1 in the ACC; William and Mary is
4-0.
TV: None
Radio: WTAR 790-AM
Tickets: Available at gate.
Key to the game: William and Mary's upset hopes hinge on
developing a successful passing attack against a Virginia defense
that has allowed only 123 yards rushing in its last two games
against Clemson and Navy.
Favorite: Virginia by 21.
NORTH CAROLINA vs. SOUTHERN METHODIST
Where: Owenby Stadium in Dallas.
When: 3 p.m.
Records: North Carolina is 2-1, 0-1; SMU is 1-3.
Fast fact: This is the first meeting between the schools, but UNC
is 7-5 against other Southwest Conference teams.
Favorite: No line
GEORGIA TECH vs. NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
When: 3:30 p.m.
Records: N.C. State is 3-0, 1-0; Georgia Tech is 1-2, 0-1.
Fast fact: State is third nationally in rushing defense, giving
up only 44 yards per game.
Favorite: N.C. State by 11 1/2.
DUKE vs. NAVY
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis.
When: 1:30 p.m.
Records: Duke is 4-0, 2-0; Navy is 0-3.
Fast fact: Duke has scored 20 out of 25 times it has been inside
opponent's 40 yard line.
Favorite: Duke by 22.
MARYLAND AT CLEMSON
Where: Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.
When: 12:05 p.m.
TV: WAVY
Records: Maryland is 2-2, 1-2; Clemson is 1-2, 0-2.
Fast fact: Terps have a two-game winning streak for first time
since 1990.
Favorite: Clemson by 8.
ARMY vs. WAKE FOREST
Where: Groves Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
When: 5 p.m.
Records: Wake Forest is 1-3, 0-2; Army is 1-2.
Fast fact: Since switching to the wishbone in 1984, Army has
ranked no lower than fifth in the nation in rushing offense.
Favorite: No line.
by CNB