THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 4, 1994 TAG: 9410040546
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Are ACC officials being too strict in enforcing the new no-taunting rule this season?
Virginia coach George Welsh and wide receiver Tyrone Davis believe so after Davis was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanslkike conduct penalty in the victory over William and Mary.
Near the end of a 55-yard touchdown play, Davis did his impersonation of the NFL's Deion Sanders by high-stepping into the end zone with his right hand cocked behind his helmet.
Davis said he was just celebrating and definitely not taunting opposing players.
``I can see being flagged for taunting, but not for celebrating,'' Davis said Monday.
``What's wrong with giving the crowd a little excitement?''
Welsh, never one to encourage excessive showboating, said he didn't see anything wrong with what Davis did.
``I didn't mind it,'' Welsh said. ``I want my players to show some enthusiasm. But, I guess you can't celebrate after a touchdown now.''
NO APOLOGIES: Welsh wasn't offering any apologies, either, for apparently misquoting William and Mary coach Jimmye Laycock last week.
Welsh admitted he told his team that Laycock had said Virginia was no better than Delaware and the worst Virginia team since 1987.
Laycock denied making such statements.
``I didn't make it up,'' Welsh said.
``I was told by an assistant that he (Laycock) had said it. I thought it was substantiated by good sources.''
Welsh conceded it could have been just a rumor.
Still, no apology.
``All is fair in love and war,'' he laughed.
LATE START: Saturday's game at Wake Forest will begin at 6:30 p.m., making it the fifth different starting time in as many games for the Cavaliers.
They have started at 3:30 p.m. at Florida State, 7 p.m. at Navy, 12:05 p.m., against Clemson, and 1 p.m. against William and Mary.
Welsh said he favors a league rule that requires games to begin by 2 p.m., unless scheduled for television.
``The problem with late starts, like this week, is you don't get back home until so late,'' Welsh said.
FALSE START: Welsh was surprised when he looked on the field and saw tight end Bobby Neely on the field at the start of the William and Mary game.
With Neely, a junior, coming off a knee injury, Welsh had listed sophomore Walt Derey to start.
``When I saw him, I asked an assistant, `What is he doing out there?' It turned out Neely just told Derey that he was going to start, and ran out on the field.''
Welsh ordered Neely off the field shortly after noticing him, but he wasn't upset about the incident.
``Actually, he made a helluva block on the first play,'' Welsh said.
GOOD MOVE: Welsh's decision to give the kicking job to Rafael Garcia over Kyle Kirkeide, the team's leading scorer last season, has turned out well.
Garcia has been successful on all 11 extra point attempts and on all seven field goal tries.
He leads the team in scoring with 32 points, and ranks second in the ACC.
The U.Va. record for most consecutive field goals was set by Jake Mcinerney in 1989.
SACK ATTACK: The six sacks against William and Mary were the most in a single game by the Cavaliers since they flattened Navy for nine in 1992.
Duane Ashman and Mike Fredercik each had two sacks, and Ruan Kuejl and Todd White each had one.
FAVORITE OPPONENT: Virginia has won 10 consecutive games against Wake Forest, the longest current winning streak by one ACC team over another.
The Deacons are also the only ACC team with which Virginia leads the all-time series, holding a 24-11 edge.
In the last five games, Virginia has outscored Wake Forest, 196-75. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
George Welsh: ``I guess you can't celebrate after a touchdown
now.''
by CNB