THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 25, 1994 TAG: 9411250138
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Virginia and North Carolina State come limping to the finish line of the regular season today to decide second place in the ACC and influence their postseason bowl destinations.
Both teams have key injuries, but the Wolfpack is the most bruised for the nationally televised game (11 a.m., WVEC) in Scott Stadium.
N.C. State's two top quarterbacks, Terry Harvey and Geoff Bender, are recovering from shoulder injuries, and All-ACC receiver Eddie Goines was lost for the season a few games ago.
Virginia is without second-leading rusher Tiki Barber who injured his shoulder in last Saturday's victory over Virginia Tech.
The Cavaliers' leading receiver, Tyrone Davis, is nursing a sprained toe, which has slowed him the last two games.
Despite the pain, both teams promise getting up for the game will be easy because of the rewards that go to the winner.
For the 13th-ranked Cavaliers, a victory could bring a major bowl invitation.
The Fiesta, Sugar and Cotton bowls have expressed interest in Virginia, whose two losses were to Florida State and Duke.
The possibilities for the unranked Wolfpack are not as lofty, but a victory could send them to the Gator Bowl or Peach Bowl.
Most bowl invitations will not be issued until after next weekend's games.
Virginia coach George Welsh said he has not discussed bowl possibilities with his players.
``They know the situation,'' Welsh said, ``but all of my emphasis has been on playing N.C. State and finishing second in the league.''
Likewise, Wolfpack coach Mike O'Cain said finishing second is his team's top priority, too.
``We know we are going to some bowl, but finishing second would be quite an accomplishment since no one gave us a chance of doing that,'' O'Cain said.
O'Cain said both his quarterbacks will be ready to play, and Bender probably will start.
Harvey was the starter before separating his shoulder.
He bruised it again last week after Bender suffered a pinched nerve during the loss to Florida State.
Aside from the injuries, the biggest concern for the Wolfpack will be trying to run against a Virginia defense that ranks No. 1 nationally against the rush.
In the last nine years, N.C. State has a 33-0-1 record when it has rushed for more than 200 yards. It has topped that total five times this season.
``Our offense depends on being able to run the ball,'' O'Cain said.
``We don't have to rush for 200 or even 150 yards, but we have to be effective, and that will be a chore against their defense.''
Virginia has limited its opponents to an average of 56 yards rushing per game, and only Florida State (116) and North Carolina (169) have rushed for more than 100 yards.
A ninth victory by Virginia today would be only the second time this century it has won as many games in a season. The 1989 team won a record 10 games.
A Virginia win also would be its sixth in the ACC, tying the school record set by the '89 team. by CNB