THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 11, 1995 TAG: 9511110691
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COLLEGE PARK, MD. LENGTH: Long : 133 lines
Virginia linebacker Skeet Jones drew some giggles and looks of disbelief last August when he listed the Cavaliers' goals for the season.
``We want to beat Florida State, win the ACC title, and go to a big bowl,'' said the senior co-captain from Virginia Beach.
Big goals, indeed.
But the Cavaliers already have accomplished one - beating Florida State last week - leaving the two other goals within reach as they end their ACC season today against Maryland.
A victory over the Terps would assure Virginia of at least a share of the ACC title.
A win coupled with a Florida State loss at North Carolina today would give the Cavaliers the title outright and a bid to either the Orange Bowl or the Sugar Bowl.
With so much at stake, coach George Welsh says he can't imagine his team having a problem getting up for the game.
``I think just the fact that we are in position to clinch at least a tie for the ACC championship is something that should be a lot of incentive for us,'' Welsh said.
``We have not been in that position since 1989, so that is a good deal for us and should help us. It also would be our eighth win, and that affects the way you are looked at in the polls and how the bowl people feel about you.''
A couple of weeks ago, Virginia fans may have viewed the Maryland game as an oasis of relief, sandwiched between the Florida State game and next week's season-ender against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
But the Terps dramatically snapped out of a quarterback-controversy funk last week to end a two-game scoreless losing streak with an impressive 30-13 victory over North Carolina State.
Scott Milanovich returned to the starting role at quarterback and to his old form against the Wolfpack, completing 20 of 24 passes for 209 yards.
The Terps, a run-and-shoot team for four seasons under coach Mark Duffner, also caught the Wolfpack by surprise by operating from the I-formation.
Welsh said the Terps' new offense gave the Cavaliers more to prepare for, but he is thankful Maryland sprang it first on the Wolfpack.
``I would not have liked to have been in North Carolina State's shoes when they showed up in an I-formation,'' Welsh said.
``At least we have had the opportunity to look at it. Still, that doesn't mean they are not going to have some new things from it. I expect to see an expanded version of the I, and I also know we will see a lot of the run-and-shoot.''
If it seems that changing to a new offense so late in the season was based on desperation, so be it.
The Terps won their first four games behind sophomore quarterback Brian Cummings while Milanovich sat out a four-game suspension for gambling on college events.
Milanovich started the fifth game, which Maryland lost to Georgia Tech. He started again the next week against Wake Forest, but Cummings came off the bench to help salvage a 9-6 victory.
Cummings started the next two games but failed to generate a point as the Terps were shut out by Clemson and Louisville, stirring rumors that Duffner's job was on the line.
The win over N.C. State eased some of the pressure on the Terps by nailing down their first winning season under Duffner and qualifying them for a possible bowl bid with six victories.
Most ACC observers believe the Terps may need a seventh win to assure themselves of a bowl bid. Maryland's final game is at Florida State next week.
``It is a tall order to go down there to Tallahassee and beat that football team,'' Welsh said.
``But if they get a seventh win against us, they will be in position for one of the four bowl bids that go to ACC teams. That is a lot of incentive for them also. It could be a pretty emotional game.''
Welsh said senior cornerback Joe Crocker, who missed the Florida State game with an injured toe, is expected to play, but sophomore Joe Williams of Chesapeake will start at the position.
Pat Jeffers, the Cavaliers' leading receiver, will miss his second straight game because of a hamstring injury. ILLUSTRATION: [Photo]
After beating Florida State, an ACC title is next on Virginia
linebacker Skeet Jones' list of goals for the Cavaliers.
[Chart]
ACC AT A GLANCE
VIRGINIA AT MARYLAND
Where: Byrd Stadium (48,000), College Park
When: noon
Tv: WAVY
Radio: 790-AM, 101.7-FM
Records: Virginia is 7-3, 6-1 in the ACC; Maryland is 6-3, 4-2.
At stake: Virginia will clinch at least a tie for ACC title with
a victory. A win could assure Maryland of bowl bid.
Key to game: Virginia can't afford to give up big plays, which
means keeping tabs on Terps receiver Jermaine Lewis, who needs only
seven more catches to become the ACC's all-time leading receiver.
Prediction: Virginia by 11
FLORIDA STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA
Where: Kenan Stadium (52,000), Chapel Hill
When: noon
Tv: check area listings
Records: Florida State is 7-1, 5-1; North Carolina is 4-4, 2-3.
At stake: Florida State needs win to stay in ACC title race. UNC
must win two of last three games to qualify for bowl bid.
Key fact: FSU is nation's top offense, averaging 594 yards per
game, and UNC is second nationally in total defense, allowing 241
yards per game.
Favorite: Florida State by 19
DUKE AT CLEMSON
Where: Memorial Stadium (81,473), Clemson
When: 1 p.m.
Records: Clemson is 6-3, 5-2; Duke is 3-6, 1-5.
At stake: Clemson must win one of remaining two games to qualify
for bowl bid.
Key fact: Duke has not won on Tigers' turf since 1980.
Favorite: Clemson by 15
NORTH CAROLINA STATE AT GEORGIA TECH
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium (46,000), Atlanta
When: 1 p.m.
Records: Georgia Tech is 5-4, 4-3; N.C. State is 2-6, 1-4.
At stake: Georgia Tech must win final two games to qualify for
bowl bid.
Key fact: N.C. State, which had only 36 ground yards in loss last
week, is up against the ACC's leading run defense (78.8 yards per
game).
Favorite: Georgia Tech by 8
by CNB