DATE: Thursday, November 6, 1997            TAG: 9711060677

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: FRANK VEHORN

                                            LENGTH:   70 lines

ACC REPORT [BRIEFS]

ACC coaches won't take sides picking an FSU-UNC winner

Who has the edge in Saturday's ACC showdown between No. 3 Florida State and No. 5 North Carolina?

League coaches were too diplomatic to take sides during the league's conference call Wednesday.

Georgia Tech's George O'Leary says he likes the way North Carolina has developed a running game behind Jonathan Linton, who has rushed for 315 yards the last two games.

``But they are both great teams,'' O'Leary said.

Tech linebacker Keith Brooking picks FSU.

``UNC doesn't have the same amount of athletes as Florida State,'' Brooking said.

Critical matchup

There is no argument about the critical matchup in the game. It is between FSU wideouts E.G. Green and Peter Warwick and UNC cornerbacks Dre' Bly and Robert Williams.

``That should be fun,'' Brown said.

Bowden isn't laughing, though.

``If we could get open against them as much as we do other people I would pick us to win,'' he said.

``But I've watched them all year and haven't seen anyone get open on them yet.''

Of course, he hasn't seen anyone shut down Warrick and Green, either.

Bowden predicts the game will be a defensive struggle, decided by a turnover or a big play.

Keeping QBs healthy

Chances are North Carolina will need both of its quarterbacks - Oscar Davenport and Chris Keldorf - against Florida State.

The hard-hitting Seminoles in the last six games have sidelined opposing quarterbacks for at least part of the game.

Andre Wadsworth leads the 'Noles in sacks with 10.

U.Va. receiver out for year

Virginia true-freshman receiver Ahmad Hawkins of Hampton underwent surgery for torn ligaments in his right ankle on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season.

Hawkins caught his first touchdown pass against Florida State.

He recently had replaced senior Bryan Owen as the No. 3 receiver in triple wideout formations.

U.Va.'s Brooks moving up

The Cavaliers' Aaron Brooks made a huge jump in the ACC's passing efficiency with his big game (three TD passes, two TD runs) against Maryland.

Brooks moved from last-place to fourth, behind FSU's Thad Busby, UNC's Oscar Davenport, and Clemson's Nealon Greene.

Brooks has completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,362 yards and nine touchdowns. He's thrown seven interceptions.

Clemson woes

Clemson reserve center Matt McLeod underwent emergency leg surgery Tuesday after being struck by a car while on his motorcycle.

Coach Tommy West said McLeod was leaving practice when hit.

McLeod is expected to remain hospitalized for several days and undergo more surgery.

Things have been rough on the field for the Tigers, too.

They will go into Saturday's game against Duke without a healthy tailback.

League-leading rusher Raymond Priester (ankle) hasn't practice this week and backup Sam Zanders was so taped up for the Wake Forest game that West said he ``looked like a mummy.''

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