University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Host Cavaliers In Season-Opening ACC Battle
September 2, 1999 | Football
Sept. 2, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The 23rd-ranked Virginia Cavaliers lost their starting quarterback, leading receiver and two best offensive linemen from last year's team. The North Carolina Tar Heels saw star cornerback Dre Bly leave for the NFL and are expected to play at least eight true freshmen this season. That gives the 107-year-old rivalry a new look when the schools meet Saturday in Chapel Hill.
Virginia coach George Welsh is one familiar face, heading into his 18th year at the helm of the Cavaliers. Welsh comes off a 9-3 overall mark and 6-2 conference record in '98. With quarterback Aaron Brooks and receiver Terrence Wilkins gone, this season's success will hinge on the play of junior tailback Thomas Jones.
"He's experienced and I know he'll work hard on his speed and acceleration," Welsh said. "I think Thomas has to be one of our leaders. It's his turn now to step up."
Jones made huge strides last year. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder rushed for a conference-best 1,303 yards and was ranked 11th nationally.
Brooks' departure leaves junior Dan Ellis, who has played in just eight games in two years at Virginia, as the team's apparent starting quarterback. Junior David Rivers was impressive in practice and will also be considered.
"When Ellis first came here, he learned the offense faster than anybody we've ever had," admitted Welsh. "He was ready to play as a true freshman. Hopefully, after getting more work and working with the first team most of the time, he'll be an improved quarterback."
At wide receiver, Ellis and Rivers will look to juniors Kevin Coffey, who caught 23 passes for 583 yards and five touchdowns in '98, and Ahmad Hawkins, a two-year letterman with 10 receptions and 176 yards.
First-year defensive coordinator Rick Lantz has seven starters back, including defensive end Travis Griffith, a two-year starter with 40 tackles and three sacks.
North Carolina coach Carl Torbush has mixed emotions about fielding the conference's youngest team.
"That's good because we feel like they're good enough football players who are athletic and will make contributions," he said.
"It's not good in that several of them will step into key, critical positions that have the ability to either make you better or get you beat in a hurry."
For example, the early pro departures of Bly and Robert Williams the past two seasons have left the Tar Heels extremely young at cornerback. Three of the team's five cornerbacks are true freshmen.
"We feel like now if a guy is good enough to play as a freshman and contribute, then we are going to play him," Torbush added. "There have been several top universities - Florida State, Tennessee - who have played freshmen."
Sophomore quarterback Ronald Curry, also a member of the Tar Heels' perennial powerhouse basketball team, returns along with tailback Rufus Brown, who rushed for a team-high 451 yards last year.
North Carolina (7-5, 5-3 ACC) may be inexperienced, but it holds the historical edge. In 103 all-time meetings, the Tar Heels have a 54-45-4 advantage.
