THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411130219
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
Virginia coach George Welsh had complained all week that he needed an extra day of practice to have his Cavaliers fully prepared for Maryland's ``jazzed-up offense.''
Welsh wasn't blowing smoke, either.
Just as he feared, the Cavaliers were not ready for the Terps' whirlwind offense when they arrived at Scott Stadium on a chilly Saturday.
But, after falling behind, 14-3, the Cavaliers finally got it right and blasted the Terps, 46-21, for a crucial ACC victory.
The outcome was decided in the third period when Virginia's defense put Scott Milanovich, who entered the game as the hottest quarterback in the nation, in a deep freeze.
During the period, the Cavaliers recovered a Milanovich fumble, intercepted him and blocked his punt to set up the offense for 21 points and a 24-14 lead.
The defensive blitz continued in the fourth period as cornerback Joe Crocker returned a Milanovich interception 35 yards for a touchdown and an onside kick 46 yards for the game's final points.
``The defense won the game,'' Welsh said. ``It made big plays, put pressure on (Milanovich) and put him on the ground. That's what we had to do.''
In all, Milanovich was intercepted three times and was sacked five times for losses of 57 yards.
The victory, following last week's loss to Duke, gave Virginia a 7-2 overall record, 5-2 in the ACC, and put it back on track for a postseason bowl.
``I am not talking about a bowl now,'' Welsh said.
``Our thoughts are on Virginia Tech next week, and then they will be on North Carolina State in two weeks.''
Maube so.
But if Virginia had lost to the Terps (4-6, 2-5), it probably could have kissed any bowl thoughts goodbye.
And a near-sellout crowd looked on grimly as Milanovich easily passed the Terps into the early 14-3 lead.
He entered the game on a sizzling hot streak, completing 79 percent of his passes for 925 yards and 12 touchdowns without an interception in his last three games.
Maryland took its early lead on Milanovich's 10-yard pass to Jermaine Lewis and his 43-yard pass to Geroy Simon.
But then Virginia's offensive plan began to jell, and the defense followed suit.
Milanovich got his hands on the ball for only three more plays the remainder of the period as the Cavaliers controlled the clock on offense.
Virginia drove to the Maryland 1 before turning the ball over on downs after a pass to a wide open Petey Allen was deflected in the end zone.
Maryland went three plays and out and Virginia began a new drive, which tailback Kevin Brooks ended with a 1-yard run with only 2 seconds left in the half.
A two-point conversion pass from Mike Groh to Tyrone Davis cut Maryland's lead to 14-11 at intermission.
``It was really a big touchdown because it gave us momentum going into the half,'' Welsh said.
Brooks agreed, but said the credit for the score should go to the offensive line.
``I just followed the blocking,'' Brooks said.
``But we were pumped up in the locker room at halftime. We knew we were going to get the second half kickoff and take it for a touchdown to get the lead.''
That is exactly what happened.
Virginia went 80 yards in seven plays with fullback Charles Way running untouched for the final 11 yards and a 17-14 lead.
The defense took over and competed the rout.
Linebacker James Farrier ended Milanovich's string of passes without an interception at 166 to set up a second touchdown run by Way.
A couple of series later, Farrier blocked a Milanovich punt to set up a second touchdown by Brooks for a 32-14 lead.
``I could tell Milanovich was getting frustrated,'' Virginia tackle Mark Krichbaum said.
``We were on him the entire second half, not giving him time to throw and putting him on the ground. I certainly would have been frustrated if I were him.''
Defensive coordinator Rick Lantz said Virginia made minor changes to its game plan after Milanovich's early touchdown throws.
``We got a more aggressive attitude and went after him,'' Lantz said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Maryland defensive back Raphael Wall, left, wraps up Virginia wide
receiver Patrick Jeffers during the Cavaliers' 46-21 win.
by CNB