THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220414
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
North Carolina is a team that brings tears to the eyes of Bryan Heath.
The University of Virginia center admits that on the bus ride to Scott Stadium before last year's North Carolina game he broke down and cried.
``I got real emotional,'' Heath recalled as he talked about today's regionally televised game between the two nationally ranked teams.
``I was so fired up to get at them that tears were just streaming down my cheeks. I don't hate them. It is just that I'd rather die than lose to them.''
The feelings are as strong on the North Carolina side.
Coming into this season, Tar Heel defensive lineman Marcus Jones declared he would rather beat Virginia than Florida State, North Carolina State or Duke.
Coaches and players agree the root of the intense rivalry is the schools' frequent competition for the same recruits. Players on both teams have friends or former high school teammates playing for the other, also.
``We have players on our team from North Carolina, like me, and they usually have several players from Virginia,'' Heath said.
``I have a lot of friends who play for Carolina, and when we lost to them two years ago down there, it was terrible. I had to put up with their crap for a whole year.''
The rivalry has been around for a while, too.
In fact, the schools have played each other more than anyone else. Today's game is the 99th in a series that North Carolina leads, 53-41-4.
But Virginia has prevailed, 8-3-1, under coach George Welsh, and none of his teams has ever lost to the Tar Heels in Charlottesville.
``Virginia really humbled us last year, and cost us a chance to play in the Fiesta Bowl,'' said Tar Heel lineman Roge Purgason. ``But we know we can beat them this year. We are a better team.''
Tailback Leon Johnson, when asked about the rivalry, replied, ``Some people don't like their (artificial) turf. Some people don't like their crowd. Some people just don't like Virginia.''
It is the ``Virginia crowd,'' normally among the tamest in the league, that North Carolina players complain about the most.
``The stuff they holler at us,'' said Jones, shaking his head. ``They have no class.''
Welsh, who has criticized Virginia fans for a lack of vocal support, seemed surprised by Jones' remark.
``He said that about the button-down Virginia fans?'' Welsh said.
The coach admitted, however, that before the 1991 game he heard some unpleasant remarks shouted at Tar Heel players during warmups.
``Other than that, I don't know,'' Welsh shrugged. ``Why were they listening to the crowd, anyway?''
Why? Leon Johnson says it is almost impossible not to.
``They get into the game, and you can really hear them,'' Johnson said. ``You try to put it aside, but some things you have to sit back and laugh at.''
Welsh is fully aware of the intense feelings between the teams.
``I don't have to say anything to get my team up,'' Welsh said. ``The emotional level takes care of itself for this game.''
As if the rivalry weren't enough, the game also promises to have significance in the ACC race and postseason bowl bids.
Both teams are 5-1 overall and each has lost once in the league to Florida State. UNC is ranked 15th and Virginia 25th in The Associated Press poll.
``It is not do-or-die, but it is a pivotal kind of game,'' Heath said. ``It can springboard you for the rest of the season.''
Other than bragging rights, though, Virginia did not benefit much from last year's 17-10 victory. Virginia lost three of its remaining four regular-season games.
``We do have to remember this is just the middle of the season, no matter what happens,'' said Welsh.
``Our players are very excited about this game, but the November games are the ones that tell the story if you are good or not good.'' by CNB