THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610200191
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 54 lines
Virginia coach George Welsh had expected Saturday's game against North Carolina State to be like the last four in the series that were settled by five or less points. So, no one could fault Welsh for not knowing exactly what to do when the game, which Virginia won 62-14, got out of hand in the third period. Welsh pulled No. 2 quarterback Aaron Brooks and cleared his bench. ``We had people in on defense who didn't know where to line up. I didn't want to put Brooks to bed so early, but I didn't know what else to do,'' Welsh said. ``I hope I'm in the same situation next week,'' he said of the matchup against Florida State. Revenge is sweet for Cavaliers' White
Virginia defensive tackle Todd White said any victory over State is enjoyable, and especially one by such a wide margin. ``My first year here, State beat us and knocked us out of a bowl. The next year they beat us and knocked us into the Carquest Bowl. Then two years ago, they beat us and sent us to some weed bowl in Shreveport,'' White recalled. Virginia came from behind in the final minutes last year to beat State and went to the Peach Bowl. For sure, Poindexter deserved game ball
Welsh didn't know which players had received game balls when he left the locker room to meet with the media, but he felt certain safety Anthony Poindexter would get one. Poindexter intercepted three passes and blocked a punt. ``I had to work hard for the first interception but the other two the quarterback just lofted it up and I was in the right place at the right time,'' Poindexter said. It was like old home week for freshman
Both the victory and blocking a punt for a touchdown were special for freshsman safety Antwan Harris, a native of Raleigh who lives a short distance from the State campus. Harris blocked Jay Dukes' punt in the second period, picked up the ball and ran 34 yards into the end zone. ``I almost tripped before I got to the end zone, but was able to get my feet back under me,'' Harris said. Harris had told assistant coach Art Markos that he thought he could block a punt after coming close a few minutes earlier. ``He told me to go for it, and I did,'' Harris grinned. Another day at the office for Barber
Tiki Barber (three touchdowns, 132 yards) had the 16th game of his career in which he has rushed for more than 100 yards, a school record. He has been over 100 in all six games this season. His two touchdowns rushing gives him 28 in his career, tying him for the modern record with Frank Quayle (1966-68) and Shawn Moore (1987-1990). Barber is fourth on Virginia's career rushing list with 2,788 yards and third on the career list for all-purpose yards with 4,040.
- FRANK VEHORN by CNB