THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 23, 1994 TAG: 9410230216
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Game face. Postgame face. Poker face.
It was all the same to Mike Groh on the best Saturday afternoon of his football life.
``There was no doubt in my mind,'' the Virginia quarterback said, ``that I was going to play a great game today.''
If he smiled as he said this, I missed it. Quarterback is a serious position.
``We're happy with what happened today,'' Groh said after U.Va. thumped North Carolina, 34-10. ``We'll talk about other things at other times.''
Other things, such as who is Virginia's No. 1 pitcher for the remainder of the season.
Against the 15th-ranked Tar Heels, Groh completed 15 of 21 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. It was a performance that must have tugged at the hamstrings of Symmion Willis.
``I'm not getting hyped up about who's the starter,'' Groh said. ``When they call my number on Saturday, I'm ready.''
He's been ready all season. Although the Carolina game was only his third start this year, Groh's statistics far outdistance those of the injured Willis.
Consider this: Against I-A competition, U.Va.'s offense has accounted for 19 touchdowns. For 18 of them, Groh has been the quarterback.
The worst-kept secret at Virginia is the identity of the No. 1 quarterback.
``I don't even want to think about it,'' Cavaliers coach George Welsh said.
Football coaches love mystery. And then there is the unwritten rule Welsh is so fond of invoking. The one that says a quarterback can't lose his starting job because of injury.
The rule was created once upon a time to avoid quarterback controversies, a coach's nightmare. But in this case, there is no controversy. Groh has won the job.
Asked if he was ready to name Groh No. 1, Welsh shook his head.
``I'm just trying to keep things in perspective,'' he said. ``I'll talk about that later.''
Perspective is the natural enemy of joy. Still, after a win this sweet, even Welsh seemed to be enjoying himself.
``Somebody said I smiled in the fourth quarter,'' he reported. ``That's the first time this year.''
Welsh looked comfortable talking about Virginia's domination of the Tar Heels, though even then he preferred to stiff-arm the obvious.
``That's not a 24-point differential out there,'' he said. ``It wasn't one of those games. I'm not trying to be nice.''
He can afford to be nice. Welsh hasn't lost to North Carolina at Scott Stadium in seven games. Overall, his Virginia teams are 9-3-1 against the Tar Heels.
``Today,'' Welsh said, ``I think we had some breaks.''
What few breaks there were went Carolina's way. In any case, breaks had nothing to do with it; Virginia whacked Carolina worse than Florida State did.
Welsh, who fears superlatives more than turnovers, said, ``We are getting better.''
Because of Groh? He's an important part of the equation, though it's the defense that is the foundation of U.Va.'s 6-1 season.
When the Cavaliers beat Carolina a year ago, their record also went to 6-1. Virginia lost four of the next five. Welsh believes his defense will prevent a repeat of the '93 swoon.
``Our defense is pretty good,'' he said.
So is Virginia's quarterback.
Before Saturday, Groh's best games had come on the road.
``It's nice to play well in front of all your friends,'' he said. ``Then they can see what you did instead of reading about it.''
We'll be seeing and reading more about Groh. Right now, he's Virginia's best quarterback. It's up to Welsh to make him No. 1. by CNB