THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 29, 1994 TAG: 9411290375
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The University of Virginia, with no other offers on the table, agreed Monday to play Texas Christian University in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28.
The invitation was extended to the Cavaliers because four other ACC teams were already in line to go to more prestigious bowls.
Two ACC teams were awarded spots in coalition bowls - Florida State to the Sugar Bowl against the winner of Saturday's Florida-Alabama game and North Carolina to the Sun Bowl against Texas.
North Carolina State accepted a bid to play in the Peach Bowl against Mississippi State, and Duke is slated to play Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl.
The ACC was committed to sending a team to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., where Virginia Tech defeated Indiana last year, and Virginia was the last team available.
Virginia athletics officials, though, were gracious in their acceptance.
``We are excited about it,'' coach George Welsh said after receiving the official invitation during a late-afternoon conference call. ``It is a great opportunity for our team, especially since the game is being carried by ESPN.''
Virginia athletic director Jim Copeland said the Independence Bowl has a reputation for treating visiting teams especially well.
Copeland said he had talked to several bowls the last three days and that the only offer was
from the Independence Bowl.
The Cavaliers had an 8-3 overall record, the same as North Carolina, North Carolina State and Duke, and was ranked higher in the polls than Duke and N.C. State.
Virginia was a candidate for the coalition's Fiesta, Cotton and Sun bowls until losing to N.C. State, 30-27, in Charlottesville on Friday.
Independence Bowl selection committee chairman Bob Brown attended that game, expecting that the Wolfpack would be coming to his bowl.
``But I couldn't be happier with the way things worked out,'' Brown said Monday by telephone. ``We were expecting to get a 7-4 State team ranked in the top 25 and we got an 8-3 Virginia team ranked in the top 20.''
TCU finished its regular season by defeating Texas Tech (6-5), which is bound for the Cotton Bowl to play Southern California.
The Horned Frogs had the 20th most productive offense in Division I-A this season, averaging 26.5 points and 411 yards per game.
Running back Andre Davis rushed for 1,494 yards. Quarterback Max Knake broke several of Sammy Baugh's school passing records, throwing for 2,624 yards and 24 touchdowns to rank seventh in Division I-A passing efficiency.
TCU, coached by former Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan, opened its season by losing to North Carolina, 27-17. by CNB