THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 1994 TAG: 9411150441
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
No one can accuse Virginia coach George Welsh of over-hyping Saturday's game against Virginia Tech.
This is the first time the state's two Division I-A teams have met with both ranked among the Top 20 (Tech is ranked 14th and U.Va. 15th), and the outcome will have bowl implications for both. But Welsh seemingly had to stifle a yawn Monday when asked about the rivalry.
``It is not the end of the world,'' he said. ``I know over 16 billion Chinese won't care, and President Clinton isn't going to look at it.''
Welsh, of course, knows big rivalries. He formerly coached at Navy, and nothing gets much bigger to him than Army-Navy games.
Virginia and Virginia Tech games are not even close, he said.
The best Welsh could say about the Tech rivalry is that ``it's one of those games you'd cut your wrist for.'' But Welsh admitted he stole that line from Bobby Bowden, and said there are at least three or four ``wrist-cutting'' games on the schedule each year.
Virginia Tech is just one of them.
RECRUITING NOT AFFECTED: Welsh does not think the outcome of U.Va.-Tech games has much effect on in-state recruiting.
He pointed out that Virginia has won five of the last seven games, adding, ``Tech still has been able to put together a very good team with mostly state players.''
Welsh, though, credits the Cavaliers' 1984 victory with giving his program credibility. It also was important to Virginia getting its first-ever bowl bid.
DAVIS HOPEFUL: Welsh expects wide receiver Tyrone Davis, who sat out most of the second half of Virginia's 46-21 victory over Maryland last Saturday with a sprained toe, to play against the Hokies.
``He says he is going to play, and I believe him,'' Welsh said. ``He doesn't want to miss this game.''
DOWN A NOTCH: Virginia quarterback Mike Groh has slipped to second place in the ACC in passing efficiency this week.
Ironically, Maryland's Scott Milanovich moved ahead of Groh despite having three of his passes intercepted in the loss to the Cavaliers. Milanovich also threw for the Terps' three touchdowns, however.
Groh, who had led the ACC for seven weeks, is still 14th nationally.
DEFENSE ON TOP: Virginia again is leading the nation in rushing defense after limiting the Terps to minus-42 yards.
Virginia is allowing an average of 58.6 yards per game and has not allowed an opposing back to rush for 100 yards.
The minus-42 yards against Maryland was an ACC record.
DYNAMIC DUO: Cornerback Joe Crocker now has something in common with former Cavaliers great Bill Dudley: They are the only two players in school history to return a kickoff, a punt and an interception for touchdowns in a career.
Crocker has accomplished the hat track in one season, after returning a kickoff and an interception for scores against Maryland. He returned a block punt for a touchdown last month against Wake Forest.
LONG TIME AGO: Researchers also were scouring the record books to find the last U.Va. linebacker to intercept four passes in a season.
Turns out that Billy Shuling had five in 1941.
James Farrior picked off his fourth pass of the season against Maryland. He also blocked a punt and had seven solo tackles. by CNB