THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610240537
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 79 lines
Bobby Bowden says Virginia is Florida State's only ACC rival because it's the only league team to beat his Seminoles.
But the FSU coach seems to have lingering doubts about whether Virginia's 33-28 victory last November was justified.
Bowden would not say during the league's weekly teleconference Wednesday whether or not he thought his team should have been awarded a winning touchdown on the last play of the game.
With FSU on Virginia's 6 and time running out, the snap went directly to tailback Warrick Dunn, who bobbled the ball before reaching the goal line.
Noting that Virginia was using only a three-man front, Bowden thought a run would catch the Cavaliers by surprise.
He said the surprise element worked and if Dunn hadn't juggled the ball, ``I don't know how in the world they would have stopped him.''
He added, ``But we couldn't see the end of the play. Our game film never showed the end of the play. But if the officials don't raise their arms, it is not a touchdown.''
Asked if there was a chance Dunn did score, Bowden replied, ``You trying to start an argument or a war? I wouldn't even say. It was not a touchdown, no matter what I think.''
As for Saturday's game, Bowden said, ``We have been beaten and we would like to get it back. We will fill the stadium up Saturday. That should tell you something.''
NO BIG DEAL: Virginia coach George Welsh says beating the Seminoles for the first time was no big deal for him personally.
``I was happy for the team but I've had wins like that before. I've been around a long time so it was not that big of deal for me,'' he said.
On Saturday's game: ``I'll be glad when we play it so we won't have to talk about last year so much.''
OBJECTIVE VIEW: North Carolina State coach Mike O'Cain, whose Wolfpack has felt the bite of both teams, is picking Florida State in the rematch.
N.C. State lost to the Seminoles 51-17 in September and lost to the Cavaliers 62-14 last week.
``Both teams have excellent defenses and both struggle a little bit offensively, but I give an edge to Florida State since the game is down there (in Tallahassee),'' O'Cain said.
REAL RIVALRY: Bet you didn't know there already was a strong link between U.Va. and Florida State before they started playing football.
It seems that U.Va.'s founder, Thomas Jefferson, had a grandson, Francis W. Eppes, who was a three-time Mayor of Tallahassee and a former trustee on the Seminary of the West, which became Florida State.
In consideration of that link, the winner Saturday will be presented the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy.
COME ON DOWN: FSU's Bowden was a bit irked by recent comments from Ohio State's John Cooper and Penn State's Joe Paterno that ``it seems you have to be in Florida to get ranked No. 1.''
``I guess if I were living up there, I'd feel the same way. But they are always welcome to schedule the teams down here in Florida if they like,'' Bowden said.
RONDE UPDATE: The possibility Virginia cornerback Ronde Barber may be used at wide receiver is still alive.
In fact, Barber says he has practiced at the position and thought he had a chance to play some offense last week against N.C.State.
``They didn't need me because the score got out of hand quickly,'' he said. ``But I'm ready when they need me.''
BIG ON TIKI: George Welsh, sometimes criticized for not saying enough nice things about his players, has put the record straight on exactly how he feels about tailback Tiki Barber.
``I think he is a great back,'' Welsh said. ``I haven't seen anybody in the country that is as good as him (and) who can do the things he can do. He is not getting a ton of carries and he gets a lot of yards on his own.''
Welsh also compared Barber to former great Tony Dorsett.
``I'm not saying Barber has the great speed Dorsett had, but he's got all the other things - the quickness, the acceleration, and the power.''
DUKE BLACKOUT: Virginia will end a run of six straight weeks on television when it plays Duke in Durham next Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
The only Virgina game so far that has not been televised was the opener against Central Michigan. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Coach Bobby Bowden recognizes U.Va. as FSU's only ACC rival. by CNB