THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9511020508
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Fans don't score touchdowns or knock down passes, but the Virginia Cavaliers believe the fans in Scott Stadium for tonight's game against Florida State can make a difference.
``I hope the fans realize the importance of this game and really get into it,'' quarterback Mike Groh said.
``We are capable of beating them if the fans really get behind us. Maybe they need to put away their wine and cheese for this one and bring a case of domestic beer.''
Virginia fans have a reputation for being among the mildest in the ACC. Some people insist they have heard ushers ordering fans to be quiet.
Groh and his teammates hope someone will tell the fans to turn up the volume this time.
Florida State runs a no-huddle offense. U.Va. safety Percy Ellsworth said the Seminoles would have a problem hearing the audible play-calling if fans were loud enough.
``I want the fans to be as excited as I am,'' Ellsworth said.
``I am so up for this game I have had trouble sleeping. We had to play them at their place the last two years, and I think playing them on our field will make a difference.''
NEED MORE HELP: Virginia coach George Welsh admits a noisy crowd will be helpful, but says it might take more than that to upset the No. 2 Seminoles, who have not lost an ACC game in three years.
``They are not invincible. No one is invincible. They are just better than anyone else in the league and if they don't help you, you are not going to win,'' Welsh said.
``Weather also can be an equalizer, and we've played in it (rain) three times,'' said Welsh, whose team won all three. ``But I am not praying for it.''
NEELY BACK: Virginia tight end Bobby Neely, who has been in only a couple of games because of injuries, is expected to play against the Seminoles.
``Bobby gives us more speed at that position and will allow us to stretch their defense a little more,'' Groh said.
FLASHBACK: Groh had an outstanding performance against Florida State last year after replacing starter Symmion Willis late in the third period. Groh completed 8 of 12 passes, including two for touchdowns.
``It was a good way of introducing myself to Virginia fans, but it doesn't make me any more confident about playing FSU this time,'' Groh said.
CHEAP TALK: Welsh says he doesn't care what coaches in other leagues think about the ACC, but his team isn't looking for a national title.
Bobby Bowden, whose Seminoles are in the hunt, does care and he's tired of hearing outsiders say how soft the ACC is.
Bowden blames such talk for the Seminoles slipping from No. 1 to No. 2 in the polls.
``We are beating better people (in the league) than they want to admit,'' Bowden said.
``You don't hear people saying how weak the Southeastern Conference is because Florida is dominating it this season.''
Bowden said the whiners from the Big 10 and Pac 10 should join the bowl coalition and allow the championship to be decided by a playoff.
GAME TALK: What other ACC coaches are saying about the Florida State-Virginia game:
George O'Leary, Georgia Tech: ``Virginia's offense may be able to move the ball because Mike Groh is an excellent quarterback who makes the right decisions.''
Mike O'Cain, N.C. State: ``It is going to be interesting to see what Virginia's defense can do. I think Virginia will move the ball against them. Groh is playing well and he has a solid offensive line.''
Fred Goldsmith, Duke: ``It is going to be awfully tough on Virginia because (Seminoles quarterback) Danny Kanell throws the ball so well and Warrick Dunn is the best running back in America.''
RECORD DAY: Wake Forest quarterback Rusty LaRue set an NCAA record with his 55 completions against Duke last Saturday, and his 77 attempts were one short of tying another record.
Oddly, LaRue completed more passes in one game than 14 ACC teams completed in entire seasons since the league was formed in 1953.
WORTH NOTING: Maryland will start Scott Milanovich against N.C. State in hopes of ending its offensive slump. The Terps have scored only one touchdown in their last three games. . . . N.C. State may be without starting quarterback Terry Harvey, recovering from a sprained neck. . . . Clemson free safety Leomont Evans (hand, knee) and defensive end Lamarick Simpson (foot) may miss the North Carolina game Saturday. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/The Virginian-Pilot
Virginia's Mike Groh says the team will need fan support tonight.
``We are capable of beating them if the fans really get behind us,''
he said.
by CNB