THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 11, 1994 TAG: 9410110404
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
You might think Virginia coach George Welsh should be singing the praises of backup quarterback Mike Groh, the most consistent spark in his team's offense this season.
Groh has led Virginia (4-1) to all three of its Divison I-A victories this season and has been at the controls for 11 of the Cavaliers' 12 touchdown drives in those games.
Groh took over for injured starting quarterback Symmion Willis last Saturday to trigger the 42-6 victory over Wake Forest.
Groh leads the ACC in quarterback passing efficiency, and is ninth in the nation. Willis ranks 50th.
But the only compliments Groh gets from Welsh are backhanded and always qualified.
``We've had other quarterbacks lead the ACC in efficiency,'' Welsh reminded Monday.
As for Groh's contributions in the Wake Forest victory, Welsh said the running game picked up and that made it easier for him to do well.
Welsh also belittled Groh's performance in the Navy game, when he passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, and shrugged off the two touchdown passes he had against Florida State.
Welsh also complained during his weekly press conference that too much is being made about his quarterbacks.
``I am sick and tired of talking about it,'' he said.
But, it doesn't seem to be a subject that will soon go away.
With Willis still nursing the hamstring injury he suffered in the Wake Forest game, Groh is expected to start Saturday at Georgia Tech.
Groh said he couldn't explain why Welsh seems so reluctant to say anything nice about the way he has played.
``Oh, you've noticed?'' Groh smiled when asked about it.
``I just have to laugh at what he (Welsh) says. I don't get caught up with that,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Groh said it is nice to see his name high in the national rankings and on top of the ACC list.
``I think I've proved to myself that I can put the ball where it is supposed to be,'' Groh said.
Groh has completed 67.5 percent of 77 pass attempts, eight for touchdowns, and has four interceptions.
BROOKS AILING: Tailback Kevin Brooks, who gained 112 yards against Wake Forest, was nursing a sore shoulder Monday. Welsh said the junior from Chesapeake bruised the shoulder during an out-of-bounds play in the second half, but should not miss Saturday's game.
BARBER NO. 1: Freshman defensive back Ronde Barber, who had two interceptions against Wake Forest, is leading the nation in that department. Barber, who also had a pair of thefts in the Clemson game, has five for the season.
KRICHBAUM BACK: Senior defensive tackle Mark Krichbaum, who broke a leg in preseason practice, is scheduled to play Saturday.
SACK ATTACK: The six quarterback sacks Virginia had against Wake Forest pushed the season total to 17 in five games, only two less than the Cavaliers had all of last season.
STOPPING THE RUN: When the Cavaliers held Wake without a first down rushing, it was only the second time in school history that had happened. The first was against N.C. State in 1944. The Wolfpack had no first downs of any kind.
Wake Forest was held to minus-23 yards rushing, too, the lowest mark for an oppenent sice Colgate rished for minus 39 yards in 1970. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Mike Groh has completed 67.5 percent of 77 pass attempts, eight for
touchdowns.
by CNB