THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 28, 1995 TAG: 9508280127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Nothing surprises me anymore, least of all a Virginia football team that can't hold onto the lead.
I've seen it happen to the Cavaliers before, here and there, now and then, though one game in particular stands out. I can even remember the exact date: Nov. 3, 1990.
When I see U.Va. come from ahead to lose to Michigan, I think of that crisp fall day in Charlottesville when 16th-ranked Georgia Tech played a nationally televised game against a Cavalier team ranked No. 1.
The press box overflowed with members of the national media who, like me, never expected to attend a game at Scott Stadium that held national championship implications. In many ways, it was the most anticipated U.Va. game of the George Welsh Era.
That day, U.Va. went out to a commanding lead. Then Georgia Tech came roaring back with three third-quarter touchdowns, eventually winning the game, 41-38, on a last-second field goal.
The game, probably the most breathtaking college football game I've ever attended, made an impression on me. When Michigan was driving for the game-winner, I knew it was more than a case of deja vu all over again.
Virginia lost to Michigan because it was a little unlucky, as well as a little inept, in the crunch. When the Cavaliers had the ball on the Michigan 28 - second and two, three minutes to play - the game should have been over.
For all the Cavaliers' guts and determination, America ultimately will identify them as the foil for what is being called the greatest comeback in Wolverine football history.
Let's not get carried away with this greatest comeback business. How many times, after all, has a Michigan football team been forced to scramble from very far behind?
In any case, you can't be too hard on the 'Hoos. That a U.Va. team playing on the road before 101,444 could push favored Michigan to such lengths would surprise me if anything still could.
Remember, too, that U.Va. almost won with its two biggest offensive threats - quarterback Mike Groh and running back Tiki Barber - less than full strength for the second half.
As I watched the game end, I expected the ABC announcing crew to say something about this. Or say anything positive about U.Va.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it takes two to create a scintillating finish, even if one team is outscored 18-0 in the final 11:36.
Instead, Brent Musburger shouted about Michigan. Well, it sounded like shouting. Maybe only in Virginia did Musburger's postgame wrap-up appear so loud and one-sided.
By the time Brent returned for his final postmortem later in the afternoon, you wouldn't have known U.Va. was even in the game.
So it goes. Had the Cavaliers held on, people would have called it the greatest victory in school annals.
Heartbreak is not such a steep price to pay for a chance at history. Better that U.Va. lose dramatically, wrenchingly at storied Michigan, or, later in the season, at Texas, than waste its non-conference games on bottom-feeders such as Akron or Cincinnati.
Funny thing about U.Va.'s reputation for letting top teams off the hook. This has only become an issue since Welsh made U.Va. formidable enough to actually take the lead in big games against highly-rated opponents.
It's something to keep in mind. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Martin Smith Rodden
An all-too-familiar scene for Virginia fans by now, as Mercury
Hayes, above, and Michigan teammates celebrate his game-winning
catch.
by CNB