THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510140441
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
The Virginia Cavaliers need only take a glimpse back at history and a quick look into the near future to realize the importance of today's game against Duke.
Behind them is a puzzling pattern of letdowns in recent years after quick starts, and some observers were quick to wonder if last week's loss to North Carolina was the beginning of another second-half swoon.
Ahead on the schedule are difficult games at Texas and at home against Florida State.
Under such circumstances, coach George Welsh knows his Cavaliers can ill afford to slip up against Duke, the weakest of their four remaining opponents.
``Every year you have key games - one early, one in the middle, and one late - that have huge impacts on your season, and I think this is one of them,'' Welsh said.
``We have to face the fact we have one loss in the conference now and two losses overall with a lot of tough games left to play. That's what puts us in this position this week.''
Virginia had bounced back from a one-point season-opening loss to Michigan to win five straight games, four in the ACC, before losing to North Carolina last week.
The defeat dropped Virginia from ninth to 19th in the AP rankings, and brought back unpleasant memories of recent seasons.
Three years ago, the Cavaliers lost four of their final six games after a 5-0 start. Two years ago they lost three of their final four games after a 6-1 start.
Last year, following a 6-1 start, they were in contention for a major bowl invitation but lost two of their last four games.
One of those final two losses was to Duke, the surprise of the ACC last year.
The Blue Devils are the flop of the league so far this season. Forced to use several underclassmen because of injuries, they are 0-3 in the conference and 2-4 overall.
Duke coach Fred Goldsmith indicated earlier this week that some of his injured players are healthy again and he expects his team ``to get better in a hurry.''
``I heard that he (Goldsmith) scrimmaged his team on Tuesday, and that means to me that they are very serious about this game,'' Welsh said.
``Before their game with Maryland, he didn't even have his players in full pads a single practice because they had so many injuries. They are probably healthier now and ready to play better defense.''
Defense, or lack of it, has been the source of much of the Blue Devils' woes this season.
They rank last in the ACC in total defense, giving up an average of 498.2 yards and 35 points per game.
They are doing only a little better on offense, ranking ahead of only Wake Forest in both total offense and rushing offense.
Goldsmith said the injuries and lack of a solid ground game have had an effect on senior quarterback Spence Fischer.
``He has done a lot of good things, but we've had to ask him to do way too much,'' Goldsmith said.
``When you take too much of the game and put it in one guy's lap, you are looking for problems.''
Virginia also will be trying to solve similar problems.
After a strong ground game in the first four games, the Cavaliers have averaged only 108 yards rushing in the last four games.
``Teams have played us differently in the last three weeks, so that makes it harder to know what to expect,'' Welsh said. ``We have to do a better job of running the ball for our offense to be effective.'' ILLUSTRATION: ACC GAMES
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