THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 16, 1995 TAG: 9509160427
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
If University of Virginia tailback Tiki Barber is correct, Georgia Tech's ACC-leading defense will have a few dents and holes upon leaving Scott Stadium today.
The Yellow Jackets lead the ACC and rank third nationally in both total defense and rushing defense after giving up 413 yards - only 60 rushing - in two games.
Despite those impressive statistics, Barber is not backing off a prediction that either he or fellow tailback Kevin Brooks will rush for 100 or more yards in every game this season.
Barber has been on the mark so far. He rushed for 113 yards against Michigan and a career-high 131 yards last week against North Carolina State.
He had 99 yards against William and Mary while nursing a bruised shoulder, but Brooks had 110 yards against the Tribe.
Barber was unaware of Georgia Tech's defensive prowess when he repeated his prediction earlier this week, but he said it didn't matter.
``It's definite that one of us is going to have 100 yards,'' the 195-pound junior from Roanoke said. ``One of us always has a great game.''
Brooks, a senior from Chesapeake, and Barber have had 53 rushes apiece this season. Barber has gained 342 yards and Brooks 254.
The running game, supported by a much-improved offensive line, has been the offensive strength for 16th-ranked U.Va., which is 2-1.
``Both tailbacks are doing good jobs,'' coach George Welsh said.
``The offensive line is blocking well, but they are getting some extra yards on their own, too.''
Last year Barber relied on this quickness for outside yardage while Brooks did the heavy work inside.
Barber added about 20 pounds during the off season and, as Welsh puts it, ``went from being a sprinter to a tailback.''
``I lost some of my quickness, but not much,'' Barber said. ``But the extra weight helps me to take a lick and I feel more confident running between the tackles.''
Barber has no complaints about sharing the position, either.
``It is good to know when you feel tired or get a little stinger that you have a capable person backing you up,'' he said.
Georgia Tech, which blasted Division I-AA Furman, 51-7, and lost to Arizona, 20-19, also relies on a running game under new coach George O'Leary.
In fact, Tech ranks 17th nationally in rushing, averaging 260 yards per game, and tailback C.J. Williams leads the ACC with a 152.5 yards per game average.
Welsh says switching from a passing attack to a running game also helped the Tech defense, which ranked seventh in the ACC last year.
``It has made them tougher physically,'' Welsh said.
O'Leary was the defensive coordinator when Tech won the national championship under Bobby Ross in 1990. He replaced Bill Lewis as head coach during last season when Tech failed to win a Division I-A game.
Welsh suspects Tech may open up its offense more in today's game, and O'Leary indicated as much earlier in the week.'
``We have the ability to run with power but we have to start using our skill athletes more on the perimeter to get the ball downfield,'' O'Leary said.
Tech flanker Derrick Steagal, one of the quickest runners in the league, has recovered from a hamstring injury and O'Leary said his return helps.
``He says he's running at 4/5th speed,'' O'Leary said. ``I don't know what 4/5th speed is, but I do know he is very fast doing that.''
Virginia will be without its best defensive player. Linebacker Jamie Sharper underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and will be replaced by true freshman Wali Ranier.
``We are not hurting as bad as it seems,'' Welsh said. ``Sharper is a great player, but I think we can overcome that.'' ILLUSTRATION: Tailback Tiki Barber has rushed for 342 yards in Virginia's
first three football games this season.
ACC AT A GLANCE
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB