THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509280485
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
Maryland coach Mark Duffner may not have spent any sleepless nights deciding who he would start at quarterback against Georgia Tech (8 tonight, ESPN).
Chances are Duffner knew all along that whenever Scott Milanovich finished sitting out his NCAA-imposed four-game suspension for betting that he would be in the starting lineup.
The decision just appeared difficult after sophomore Brian Cummings stepped behind center to lead the 4-0 Terps to their best start in 17 years and a No. 17 ranking during Milanovich's absence.
Milanovich, a senior, considered jumping to the NFL when the suspension was announced. He changed his mind after discussions with Duffner.
Did Duffner promise then that Milanovich would not lose his starting job by missing the first four games?
Duffner was asked that Wednesday during the ACC's weekly teleconference a couple of times but never answered yes or no.
But Georgia Tech coach George O'Leary said, ``I think the decision was made a long time ago that he would start, and it is no surprise to me.''
Promises aside, O'Leary thinks it is the right decision.
``It is the best (decision) for that team the rest of the season,'' he said.
Duffner said he does not think the change will affect team chemistry.
``It's not like Scott has been on Mars. He's been practicing with us. He is an experienced player who can make the team better,'' Duffner said.
LAUGHING MATTER: Wake Forest coach Jim Caldwell has not had reason to laugh much this season.
But he got a good one Wednesday when told that Virginia coach George Welsh had said there isn't much difference between the lowly Demon Deacons and 11th-ranked Virginia.
``I wouldn't make that statement,'' Caldwell said when he finished laughing.
``Virginia is one of the top teams in the country and we are not there yet.''
Virginia will be trying for its 12th straight win over Wake on Saturday.
The Deacons got their first win last Saturday, 30-7, against Navy.
NOT LAUGHING: Virginia quarterback Mike Groh did not find amusing a statement by Welsh that the coach was not pleased with the team's offense in the 22-3 win over Clemson.
Groh said the offense would have been more pleasing if Welsh had allowed him to throw more.
``I wish he had more confidence in me,'' Groh said.
After looking at the films, Welsh agreed the Cavaliers should have passed more.
BOWL TALK: The ACC's streak of sending four or more teams to bowls in each of the last six years may be in danger.
The league is guaranteed four bowl invitations, but the problem may be having enough teams with six Division I-A victories to qualify.
Florida State, Virginia and Maryland are in good shape. But it is going to take a strong finish by one of the other teams to complete the quartet.
North Carolina State must win six of its final seven games. Clemson and North Carolina must win five of their final seven.
Georgia Tech, Duke and Wake Forest are longshots, at best, to have .500 records.
Pending eligible records, the ACC is guaranteed at least one spot in one of the Alliance ``biggies'' (Fiesta, Sugar or Orange). The Gator, Peach and Carquest also are expecting ACC teams for their games.
WOLFPACK WOES: N.C. State, which has not won a Division I-A game, is preparing to use inexperienced redshirt freshman quarterback Jose Laureano against Clemson on Saturday.
Starting quarterback Terry Harvey suffered a groin muscle injury in Saturday's loss to Baylor and is listed as doubtful.
``He could play, and it is a big game,'' coach Mike O'Cain said. ``The question is if we want to take the risk of him getting hurt more seriously and losing him for four or five games.''
The Wolfpack took a few bruises to their pride against Baylor, too.
After the 14-0 shutout, Baylor defensive players accused State's top rushers Rod Brown and Tremayne Stephens of playing ``too soft.''
The Wolfpack had only 24 yards rushing.
SCARY MOMENT: Duke coach Fred Goldsmith had one of the biggest scares of his coaching career during practice Tuesday.
Defensive end Johannes Brugger went down after a head-on collision and remained still on the turf, unable to move the upper part of his body. He had no feeling in his arms or fingers.
He was treated immediately by trainers, then taken by ambulance to the hospital, where a couple of hours later he regained feeling.
``A lot of prayers were answered when he grabbed my hand and squeezed it,'' Goldsmith said.
More tests will be made before Brugger is cleared for Saturday's game against Navy.
UNC UPDATE: The last-minute victory over Louisville last Thursday apparently didn't cure all that ails North Carolina.
Coach Mack Brown seemed at the point of disgust after practice on Tuesday.
``I told the players the effort we had wasn't what we needed to win the game on Saturday,'' Brown said.
Could be the Tar Heels can't get excited about playing the University of Ohio, which one magazine rated in preseason the worst team in Division I-A.
Browns says the 1-2 Heels are making so many mistakes that they can't afford to take anyone lightly.
``We are our own worst enemy,'' Brown said. ILLUSTRATION: Returning from a four-game suspension for betting, Scott
Milanovich will be the starting QB for the 4-0 Terrapins.
by CNB