THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010592
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Virginia cornerback Joe Williams, a red-shirt sophomore from Chesapeake, was only mildly disappointed to learn Monday that the second start of his college career will come against the nation's No. 2-ranked team instead of the No. 1 squad.
Florida State, which plays the Cavaliers in an ESPN game at 8 p.m. Thursday, dropped to No. 2, behind Nebraska, in the polls while enjoying an open date last weekend.
``It would be nice to knock off No. 1,'' Williams said, ``but beating No. 2 is the next best thing.''
Williams will replace senior Joe Crocker, out with an injured toe. His only previous start was in the Independence Bowl victory over Texas Christian last December when he replaced another injured starter.
Williams, a former Indian River High School athlete, said he won't be surprised if Florida State tries to take advantage of his inexperience.
``That is fine with me,'' Williams said. ``I think a few other teams have had that in mind this season when I came into games for Joe (Crocker) or Ronde Barber.''
Williams left it to others to add that no one has been able to take advantage of his relative inexperience yet.
``We have a lot of confidence in Joe,'' Virginia coach George Welsh said. ``He's done well in every game he's played this season.''
Williams has been a top reserve in every game except the three he missed because of an ankle injury suffered in the win over Clemson. He returned in Virginia's last game, against Texas, and had six tackles.
``Joe is very solid, as we found out in last year's bowl victory,'' senior safety Percy Ellsworth said. ``We all have a lot of confidence in him.''
Williams said Florida State's unexpected slip in the polls did not lessen the importance of the game.
``This is still a game between the top two teams in the ACC, and the winner is likely going to win the championship,'' Williams said.
The Seminoles, who have not lost to an ACC team since joining the league three years ago, are a 17-point favorite over the 24th-ranked Cavaliers. They have outscored five ACC opponents this season, 306-92.
``We know that they have a high-powered offense, but we are not in awe of them,'' Williams said. ``We proved we can play with Michigan and Texas, and if we had made a couple more plays we would have won both of those games.''
The Cavaliers lost by one point to each team on the final play. Their other loss was by five points to North Carolina.
Other Cavaliers agreed with Williams that the Seminoles' slip in the polls would make them a more difficult opponent.
``I think they are probably (upset) to drop down to No. 2, and we stand in their way to get back to No. 1,'' quarterback Mike Groh said.
``But the real importance of the game is the ACC championship. We have said from the start that in order to win the title we had to beat Florida State, and whether they are ranked first or unranked, that remains the same.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Chesapeake's Joe Williams, left, will be making his second start on
Thursday. He'll replace Joe Crocker, who has an injured toe.
by CNB