THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 21, 1996 TAG: 9610210133
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 84 lines
VIRGINIA 62 N.C. STATE 14 With drubbing of Wolfpack, Cavaliers answer big question
Can they?
At the beginning of the season we thought not. Too many holes to fill offensively and no proven quarterback.
Can they?
After the huge win over Texas, we thought maybe. The defense was big time. So was running back Tiki Barber, and the quarterback situation was getting better.
Can they?
Absolutely not, we thought, after that meltdown loss to Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The defense was as good as ever, but an offense that could be shut down by a pretty good defense simply would have no chance against a great defense.
Can they?
Yes, they can!
Virginia showed in its 62-14 victory over North Carolina State on Saturday that it does have a script by which it can beat Florida State for a ssecond straight season.
The defense set up the offense for easy scores. The quarterbacks hit their targets and the receivers didn't drop the ball.
The kicking game was perfect, and Barber, as he has all season, proved he is one of the very best backs in the nation.
Everyone, including Barber, realizes Florida State won't be beaten as easily.
There will be no sneaking up on the Semnioles this time. Not after last year. Not after Saturday.
But, given what happened last year and what happened Saturday, even the normally cocky 'Noles must be wondering, ``Can they?''
We'll find out for sure Saturday.
Next game: at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. (WVEC)
- FRANK VEHORN
NORFOLK STATE 38 VIRGINIA UNION 0 Legitimate or not, Spartans have chance to win CIAA
They are leaving the CIAA after this season and aren't playing a ``legitimate'' CIAA schedule, having to substitute games against Bethune-Cookman and Delaware State to reach the eight-game conference limit.
But the Norfolk State Spartans are nonetheless 5-1 in the conference and are atop the CIAA standings, although the view from the top is crowded.
Five CIAA teams have only one conference loss.
Livingstone is also 5-1 while Elizabeth City State, Virginia State and N.C. Central are 4-1 in conference.
The list of once beatens will decrease by at least two this week when N.C. Central visits Livingstone and the Norfolk State visits ECSU.
One scenario would have the Spartans winning their remaining CIAA games against ECSU and Winston-Salem State and tying Virginia State for the CIAA title, both with 7-1 records. Then the Trojans would hail victory, having beaten the Spartans in the season-opener 24-15.
If Virginia State were to finish 7-1, then their lone loss would be to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference-member Hampton in another one of those ``designated'' CIAA games.
More fuel for the fire when the Spartans open their new 30,000-seat,on-campus stadium against, you guessed it, Virginia State next fall.
Norfolk State hasn't won a CIAA title since 1984.
And while bigger and better potential titles await the Spartans - their move from Division II to the Division I-AA ranks will make them eligible for the Heritage Bowl, black college football's national title game - linebacker Sunnil Motley says they are focused on leaving the CIAA on top.
Onlookers contend they should be the best. With their pending move, the Spartans are playing under Division I-AA rules when it comes to recruiting. They can carry more scholarship players than their short-lived CIAA counterparts. Motley's heard it all, but he's more concerned about matters he can control.
``We've finally put it all together,'' said Motley, who returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in NSU's 38-0 victory over Virginia Union Saturday. ``We know a lot of people in the CIAA are giving us a hard time, but we want to go out with a bang.''
It all lends definition to the remainder of the season. The Spartans must beat ECSU and Winston-Salem State (Nov. 9) if they want to win the CIAA. And if they want to quiet the expected contentions of the Trojans, then they need beat Howard (Nov. 2) and Hampton (Nov. 16).
By the way, Howard also beat Virginia State earlier this season 31-7.
Next game: at Elizabeth City State, 1:30 p.m.
- RICH RADFORD by CNB