THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 1, 1995 TAG: 9510010197
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Virginia quarterback Mike Groh groaned loudly Saturday when asked if the Cavaliers were guilty of another second-half letdown in their 35-17 victory over lowly Wake Forest.
The Cavs led 21-0 at intermission but were outscored 17-14 in the final half and had to rely on big plays to clinch the victory.
A letdown?
``Oh man, don't start that stuff again,'' pleaded Groh, referring to similar criticism earlier in the season.
But chances are Groh and the other Cavaliers are going to hear more of ``that stuff'' during preparations for next Saturday's game against North Carolina.
Among those concerned about the team's play in the second half was coach George Welsh.
``Obviously we are still having problems in the second half,'' Welsh said.
Tailback Tiki Barber was another who suggested the Cavaliers got too comfortable with the fat halftime lead.
``We just came out flat in the second half, as though we already had the game won,'' Barber said.
``We had promised ourselves not to let that happen again, but it did.''
Welsh said he did not know what to make of his team's performance, which included big plays, big turnovers and a whopping 12 penalties.
``I cannot assess what happened today,'' Welsh said. ``I don't understand it.''
END OF RUN: While Wake Forest failed to halt its 12-game losing streak to Virginia, the Deacons did stop another streak. The Cavaliers had produced a 100-yard rusher in each of the last five games of the series until Saturday.
It also was the first time this season Virginia did not have a 100-yard rusher.
Tiki Barber, who entered th game averaging 114.4 yards per game, finished with 85 on 19 carries.
``When they put so many people on the line, there isn't much I can do about it,'' Barber said.
``But it sure opened up things for our passing game and Mike (Groh) did a a great job of taking advantage.''
SHARPER BACK: Linebacker Jamie Sharper, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery two weeks ago, made his return and had five tackles, including an early sack.
Tailback Kevin Brooks also returned after missing last week's game because of a knee injury and scored on a 1-yard run.
Brooks, though, was sidelined in the second half with a back problem.
CAREER HIGH: U.Va.'s Mike Groh wasn't the only quarterback that had a big day throwing the ball.
Wake Forest senior Rusty LaRue had career highs with 277 yards passing and 28 completions in 44 attempts. by CNB