THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411240838
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
The rug will be pulled out from under the Virginia Cavaliers after Friday's game against North Carolina State in Scott Stadium.
``The rug'' is the artificial turf that has covered the field since 1974. The field will be converted to natural grass again for the 1995 season.
Virginia defeated William and Mary, 38-28, in the first game played on the artificial surface and has a 68-50-1 record overall.
``The rug'' has supported Virginia in its finest football moments - a pair of victories over Clemson and a No. 1 national ranking during the 1990 season.
So, why pull it now?
Coach George Welsh says a major reason is to help recruiting.
A few years ago, artificial surfaces were rapped for allegedly causing injuries.
Welsh says kids nowadays want to play on grass.
Georgia Tech also is removing its artificial surface after this season, making all ACC stadiums grass next year.
EARLY START: Welsh says the early 11 a.m. start for Friday's game presents some unusual problems.
The pregame meal is being scheduled for 7:15, and the quarterback meeting is set for 6:30.
``Our players are not used to going to bed early or getting up early,'' Welsh said. ``I don't know if they have ever been up at 6:30 a.m. before.''
TWO-DAY TRIP: How big is the N.C. State-Virginia game?
So big that the Wolfpack left on Wednesday for the 200-mile journey.
State spent Wednesday night in Lynchburg and will workout at Liberty University before resuming the bus trip to Charlottesville.
The stop at Liberty will give State the chance to practice on an artificial turf field, which it has not played on this season.
RECORD COURSE: Virginia quarterback Mike Groh, who took over the starting job in mid-season, is on course to break the school record for highest pass-completion percentage.
The record was set by Matt Blundin, who completed 60.3 percent of his passes in 1991.
Groh has completed 63 percent of his passes this season.
THE AGENDA: Virginia's No. 1 priority against N.C. State will be to end a two-year losing streak to the Wolfpack.
But the Cavaliers would like to do that by picking off an interception and throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyrone Davis.
Virginia has had at least one interception in its last 14 games. The last time it didn't happen was against State on Oct. 30, 1993.
Meanwhile, Davis, a senior, has caught touchdown passes against every ACC team except the Wolfpack. He did have a 91-yard reception against State in 1991, but failed to score on the play.
PICCOLO WINNER: Virginia offensive tackle Chris Harrison has been selected as the recipient of the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award, the league office said Wednesday.
The Piccolo Award has been given annually since 1972 in memory of the late Brian Piccolo to the most courageous football player in the ACC. Piccolo was the ACC athlete of the year in 1965 while playing at Wake Forest and played for the Chicago Bears before his career was cut short by cancer.
Harrison thought his football career was over when he suffered a compound fracture of his right ankle during a scrimmage in August 1993. A rod was inserted in the leg and he spent 16 weeks in a cast. Harrison worked on his rehabilitation for four hours a day for six months, and he returned to the lineup this August.
Harrison, who already has received his bachelor's degree and is competing this fall as a graduate student, has been given the rare option of a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.
UH-OH: Virginia's biggest defensive weakness this season has been on kickoff returns, and that could be bad news against the Wolfpack.
State speedster Alvis Whitted, who runs the 100 meters in 10.13 seconds, is averaging 25.1 yards per return and ranks 12th nationally.
He returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown against Maryland.
GOOD COMPANY: N.C. State coach Mike O'Cain, with a 14-7 record, has the second-highest number of victories for a Wolfpack coach after two years. Only Lou Holtz, with 17 wins, had more.
TITLE TALK: Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has not completely given up on his Seminoles winning a second consecutive national championship.
To have a chance, Bowden said, some higher-ranked teams (namely Nebraska, Penn State and Alabama) have to lose and the Seminoles have to beat Florida on Saturday.
``Our odds are diminishing rapidly,'' Bowden said.
BITTER END: Georgia Tech is facing its first season without a victory over a Division I-A team since 1904, the year it hired its first full-time coach. The Yellow Jackets, whose only win this season was over Division I-AA Western Carolina, finishes against rival Georgia on Friday (ESPN, 4 p.m.). MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report. by CNB