THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 15, 1994 TAG: 9410150362
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Watch the confidence Ronde Barber reveals in his strut and it is difficult to believe only a year ago he wasn't sure if he could play major college football.
Listen to what the University of Virginia cornerback tells opposing quarterbacks, and you realize he has no doubts now about his ability.
``If you want your drive to end early, go ahead and throw my way,'' Barber says.
And, look who is leading the Division I-A in interceptions - Barber with 5 in 5 games - and you understand he is no ordinary redshirt freshman.
``My goal is 11 interceptions this season,'' says Barber. ``I did that in high school, and I want to do at least that well in college.''
Barber, the 5-foot-10, 169-pound twin brother of Cavaliers sophomore tailback Tiki, should get an opportunity to add to his theft total today.
Virginia plays pass-happy Georgia Tech at 1 p.m. today at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets' offense revolves around quarterback Tommy Luginbill, who has thrown for 10 touchdowns and 1,108 yards in five games.
He is averaging 32 passes a game.
``Good,'' grins Barber. ``More balls for me to get to.''
While Barber admits to being cocky - an attitude he thinks is needed to play his position - he readily concedes he has been lucky and has had plenty of help getting his interceptions.
``The defensive line deserves so much credit for the pressure it puts on the quarterbacks,'' Barber said. ``Look at the films and you can see how many times the quarterbacks have been hit while trying to throw the ball.''
Barber believes he has been lucky by being in the right place at the right time, too.
``Our other defensive backs can make the plays, too, but they haven't had as many balls thrown their way,'' he said.
A reason for that, perhaps, is offenses have seemed eager to test the freshman.
``Yeah, I do think they want to pick on me,'' Barber nodded. ``Even after I got a couple of interceptions, maybe they thought it was luck and was not going to happen to them.
``But I feel I am as good as anyone else in our secondary and other teams will realize sooner or later if they want to throw to my side of the field, it is not going to be that easy.''
Barber sat out last year while his brother, who dominated the spotlight through high school with his running, got playing time as a true freshman.
He did not object to being redshirted, since the Cavaliers had an abundance of defensive backs, but not playing affected his confidence.
After an outstanding junior year at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Barber broke his collarbone in only the second game of his senior season.
``After missing most of that season, and being redshirted last year, I wasn't sure if I could compete on this level,'' Barber said.
``But, I took huge strides during spring practice and came out and showed everyone what I could do in preseason camp.''
In addition to a competitive spirit (``You've got to want the ball more than the receiver''), Barber's biggest asset is his quickness.
He realizes it is inevitable that he is going to get beat on a deep pattern, but the only place it has happened so far has been on the practice field.
``Petey (Allen) beats me in almost every practice. He puts a little quick move on me and zips right by me,'' Barber said. ``But I can't think of anyone who took me deep in a game yet.''
Barber had two interceptions last week against Wake Forest. He also had two against Clemson, including one that set up the winning field goal in the final minutes.
``I haven't gotten carried away by leading the nations in interceptions,'' Barber said. ``We have played only five games, and I could go the rest of the season without getting another one. Or I could get 10 more.'' ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Ronde Barber, returning the pickoff that led to a game-winning field
goal against Clemson, leads the nation with five interceptions.
by CNB