THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 21, 1994 TAG: 9411210162
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Frank Vehorn
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Can we now call these Virginia Cavaliers ``the boys of November?''
The nickname seems appropriate after the Cavaliers won their second straight game in this once-feared month with a 42-23 romp over rival Virginia Tech.
The Cavaliers have stumbled the past two years in November, winding up each time with seven victories and sweating out a bowl invitation, which came at the final minute last year and not at all in 1992.
The win over Virginia Tech was No. 8 for the Cavaliers, and there will be no anxious moments about whether they deserve a bowl trip this time.
It is only a question of where. That won't be answered until after Friday's final regular-season game against North Carolina State in Charlottesville.
An impressive victory on national television over the Wolfpack could do wonders for the Cavaliers.
It would give them second place in the ACC, a 9-2 record, and another jump in the polls.
A high ranking may get Virginia to the Fiesta Bowl and a possible national spotlight matchup against Colorado in what would be Bill McCartney's last game.
Or, it could get them in the Sugar Bowl, the Cotton Bowl or the Gator Bowl.
It doesn't depend entirely on how the Cavaliers fare against N.C. State, either.
The bowl puzzle won't be complete for another two weeks, after the Southeastern Conference championship is decided and Notre Dame, Southern Cal, and Florida State have completed their seasons.
The only thing these ``boys of November'' can do at this point is what they have done so well the past two weeks in victories over Maryland and Virginia Tech.
They know something good is out there waiting if they take care of business against the Wolfpack.
And if they do, Virginia fans will have a November to remember and a New Year's party to celebrate. by CNB