THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509090406
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Florida State might top most hit lists in the ACC, but it is not the prime target of Virginia defensive back Percy Ellsworth.
``Everyone talks about beating Florida State,'' Ellsworth said. ``I just want to beat North Carolina State. I have been here three years and we haven't done it yet.''
The Cavaliers get another crack at the Wolfpack today, and the outcome may depend greatly on the performance of Ellsworth and his mates in the defensive secondary.
Considered a strength coming into the season, the secondary has been the weak link in U.Va.'s first two games.
The Cavaliers gave up 372 passing yards to Michigan, including two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, in an 18-17 season-opening loss.
After U.Va. took a 23-0 lead last week against Division I-AA William and Mary, the defense let down again as the Tribe was outscored by only a point (17-16) in the final three periods. William and Mary passed for 213 yards and one touchdown.
``The DBs have got to get a lot better,'' Ellsworth said. ``We hear that, on paper, we are supposed to be the best, but on paper doesn't mean anything. We've got to come out here and perform.''
No one, however, can complain about Ellsworth's performance. He is off to his best start with three interceptions in two games and was named ACC defensive player of the week for his play against William and Mary.
The guy catching most of the heat is sophomore Ronde Barber, who led the ACC with eight interceptions last year. But coach George Welsh said the problem is bigger than Barber getting burned a couple of times.
``We are not getting the execution we need in the secondary and our pass rush is not as good as last season,'' Welsh said. ``We have given up too many long passes, and we have to stop that if we are going to win.''
Welsh feels that his pass defense improved this week in practice, and considering today's opponent, he has to hope it carries over to the game.
The reason N.C. State has made life miserable for the Cavaliers the last three years was its ability to pull the big play.
N.C. State took second place in the ACC away from Virginia last year with a 30-27 victory that included touchdown passes of 69 and 62 yards and an 84-yard touchdown run by tailback Tremayne Stephens.
The loss in the regular-season finale cost Virginia a chance to play in the Fiesta Bowl. The Cavaliers had won six consecutive games in the series before the Wolfpack began its current three-game streak.
N.C. State coach Mike O'Cain won't say specifically what his team learned to be able to pull big plays on the Cavaliers, but it could be taking advantage of a defense geared to stop the run.
The Cavaliers led the nation against the run last season have given up only 127 yards in both games this year.
``The way people are playing now, they make you throw the ball deep,'' O'Cain said. ``They get so many people involved in run support, you have got to try and make them pay.''
While N.C. State does not have the weapons Florida State has, it does have a versatile offense loaded with tricks.
``They have a power game, an option game, and can go from the shotgun,'' Welsh said. ``They have a lot of trick plays that they have been able to do through the years. We can't practice against everything, so we will just have to play cautious.''
Because N.C. State and Virginia are expected to compete for a second-place finish behind Florida State again, both Welsh and O'Cain are labeling today's game a biggie. But Welsh does so with qualification.
``I am sure it will end up determining a lot about how we finish in the conference,'' he said. ``But when you think about it, we still have seven more games in the conference, and nine overall, to play. I think it is an important game, but it certainly is not the end of the world.''
But it is the final opportunity for Ellsworth and other four-year seniors to know what it is like to beat N.C. State. by CNB