DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 1997            TAG: 9711110455

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: By FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                   LENGTH:   63 lines

U.VA.'S SOUTHERN SPARK SOPHOMORE TAILBACK EMERGES AS A KEY IN CAVS' LATE-SEASON SURGE.

Anthony Southern's history as a Virginia Cavalier might suggest he has been a frequent resident in coach George Welsh's doghouse instead of a star in the Cavaliers' late-season surge.

The redshirt sophomore has showed up at preseason camp considerably overweight. He has a reputation for dropping passes in practice, and he's had a series of nagging injuries.

But the truth is Welsh has a deep admiration for Southern and is not surprised he has emerged as a most valuable utility player who provided big offensive sparks in the victories over Maryland and Georgia Tech.

``I've always liked him,'' Welsh said. ``He's a hard worker, and he's a good player.''

Southern says the rap for dropping passes in practice is greatly exaggerated.

``Besides,'' he said, ``I don't drop them in games.''

Southern pleads guilty to exceeding weight expectations, though.

When Virginia was recruiting him as a senior at Whiteville (N.C.) High School, he was a trim 180. When he arrived at Virginia, after a year at Fork Union, he was well over 200 and is now playing at 230.

``I look at food and gain weight,'' Southern said. ``My whole family is like that. It was easier keeping the weight off in high school because I was playing four sports.''

The extra weight hasn't cost him much speed but it has enabled the Cavaliers to use him as a backup at both fullback and tailback.

With last Saturday's game on the line, Welsh chose to go with Southern instead of starting tailback Thomas Jones. Southern caught two passes for 16 and 12 yards and rushed four times for 16 yards during the winning drive.

His final 1-yard carry gave Virginia its 35-31 edge with 1:16 remaining. The week before, Southern rushed for a career-high 61 yards and had two catches for 31 yards in the 45-0 victory over Maryland.

He hopes to be just as effective Saturday against North Carolina State, his favorite team while in high school.

``I always thought I wanted to go to State, but when it came time to make a decision I picked Virginia,'' Southern said. ``The State program was starting to slide and I thought I had a better chance to play at Virginia.''

The prospects of playing time at tailback diminished when Virginia signed Jones and brought in Antwoine Womack this year.

``It bothered me a little, but I always felt I would play enough,'' Southern said. ``It was just a case of getting over those injuries.''

Southern missed last season's Carquest Bowl game against Miami because of a knee injury.

He missed most of preseason practice because of a weight-room injury, and early in the season he was out with a swollen right thigh.

``It was a little scary because they didn't know what was wrong at first,'' Southern said. ``Eventually they found a vessel had ruptured and the dried blood was causing the swelling.''

Southern played mostly behind starting fullback Charles Kirby earlier in the season. Southern moved into the tailback rotation after Womack was injured in the fourth game. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anthony Southern hopes for a big game against N.C. State, his

favorite team during high school.

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