THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511120282
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COLLEGE PARK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
The Virginia Cavaliers may have to remind themselves that the season isn't over.
They were celebrating Saturday as if there weren't still that game against state rival Virginia Tech in Charlottesville next week - and bowl committees to impress.
``We know that,'' quarterback Mike Groh said, ``but nothing is going to be more important than what we did today by winning the ACC championship. We will remember that longer than where we played a bowl game.''
The Cavaliers clinched at least a share of only the second league title in school history with a wind-blown, slipping and sliding 21-18 win over Maryland.
``When I came to Virginia, my goal at was to leave with an ACC championship,'' Groh said.
``I think every player wants to have that (championship) ring on his finger.''
Groh thought the team did a good job of getting over the big upset win over Florida State the week before and focusing on Maryland.
``All of last week was strictly business,'' Groh said. ``This week (preparing for Tech) is going to be personal. It is going to be a lot of fun.''
BOWL TALK: The only bowl representatives at Byrd Stadium were from the Peach Bowl, and neither of them would venture a guess on which ACC team might end up at their game.
The Peach Bowl won't get to select an ACC team until after the Bowl Alliance takes first choice and the Gator Bowl makes its pick.
ACC assistant commissioner Tom Mickle said the bowl picture for ACC teams probably would not begin clearing until after next weekend's games.
SLICK STUFF: Virginia defensive tackle Todd White had the most colorful description of the slick Byrd Stadium turf.
``Playing out there was like going down into the marshes to hunt for turtles,'' the junior from Baton Rouge, La., said.
White said the condition of the turf, more than the misty rain, created the slippery situation.
``The grass didn't hold and anytime you tried to make a cut, the turf would give,'' White said.
``It hurt them, but I think it hurt us more because they were used to playing on it.''
CONFIDENT: Virginia kicker Rafael Garcia said he was confident he could make the crucial 41-yard field goal into the wind in the fourth period that provided the winning edge.
``Coach Welsh asked if I could make it from 35, and I told him I could do it from 40 or 45,'' Garcia said.
Garcia already has established a school record this season with 20 field goals. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Virginia's Tiki Barber coasts in for a second-quarter touchdown.
Maryland defender Eric Ogbogu lags behind.
by CNB