Albert to forgo final season
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
January 3, 2008

The gamble that former Virginia assistant coach Kevin Ross took by recruiting an unknown prospect named Branden Albert paid dividends the past three seasons.
On April 26, every NFL team will have a similar opportunity to take a chance on Albert.
During the return flight from the Gator Bowl on Wednesday, Albert, a third-team All-American at left guard, decided to inform Virginia coach Al Groh that he had decided to apply for the NFL draft, electing to skip his senior season.
Albert, listed at 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, quickly felt a sense of relief after gaining Groh’s blessing.
“I told him about my decision and he was supportive,” Albert recounted. “It made me feel better about my decision. I didn’t want him to think I turned my back on the program.
“He said he supported my decision and said he had a special interest in me as a player and as a young man. It made me feel like coach Groh was there for me, which made me feel better.”
Albert, who started all 36 games as a Cavalier, said he hopes to have a unique position listing at the NFL Combine.
“I am going to put ‘guard-tackle prospect,’” Albert said. “I feel like I could play any position on the offensive line. I am a student of the game.”
Albert proved his versatility this season, starting at left tackle against Pittsburgh and Middle Tennessee State after Eugene Monroe sprained his knee against Georgia Tech.
Albert’s meteoric rise to promise at Virginia almost never came to fruition.
Albert, a great basketball prospect out of high school, was not noticed until late in his prep career and did not have a ranking as a recruit.
After failing to qualify initially, Albert prepped a year at Hargrave Military Academy before arriving at UVa in 2005.
All the while, Virginia waited patiently for their diamond in the rough.
“It’s crazy the way everything came about and it was by the grace of God that coach Groh and his coaching staff found me,” Albert said. “As coach Groh always says, he found me by picking up the rocks and finding the dirt that hasn’t been found yet.
“I am glad he reached out to me.”
During his time at Virginia, Albert said he progressed physically and with his footwork under the tutelage of former offensive coordinator Ron Prince and current offensive line coach Dave Borbely.
“Coach Prince started me off and coach Borbs put on the final touches,” Albert said. “I thank both guys for helping me with my development.”
Albert is hopeful that a strong showing at the combine will help make him a first-day selection (the first two rounds are held on April 26th and the final five rounds are held the following day).
It may have to be on hold for a while, but Albert said he plans to get his degree from Virginia.
Losing Albert prematurely leaves a third vacant spot on the Cavaliers’ offensive line next season - center Jordy Lipsey and right guard Ian-Yates Cunningham completed their eligibility in the 31-28 loss to Texas Tech.

Only left tackle Eugene Monroe and right tackle Will Barker are expected back as starters. While the spring should be interesting with numerous battles for playing time, one current member of the offense projected that rising junior Patrick Slebonick would start at left guard, rising sophomore Jack Shields would be at center and rising sophomore B.J. Cabbell, a star at Nelson Country, would become starting right guard.

Zak Stair, if asked to return for his senior season, could become a wildcard in the mix. In 2005, Stair spent time at center, although he was listed on the depth chart for the Gator Bowl at left tackle behind Monroe.

The other offensive linemen in the program with eligibility remaining include the following: tackle Landon Bradley, tackle Isaac Cain, guard Billy Cuffee, center Anthony Mihota, tackle Lamar Milstead and tackle Dave Roberts.

 

Cavs refuse to point fingers after bowl loss
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
January 3, 2008

Without question, a handful of winners could have been proclaimed had Virginia elected to play what coach Al Groh called “the blame game.”

From coaches to players to Big Ten officials to the odd art of instant replay, the painful experience known as the 2008 Gator Bowl lingered as Virginia’s traveling party departed Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday morning.

In epic fashion, the Cavaliers closed out a nine-win season with a monumental collapse, one that allowed Texas Tech to rally for a once improbable 31-28 victory with 17 points over the final 3:31.

The finger-pointing, however, as the players noted, would be left for the skeptics outside of the program.

“This is a team sport. We all worked together,” Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim said. “If the offense needs help, the defense has to be better than that. If the defense needs help the offense has to be better than that.

“It is a complete team game, and as a team we just weren’t good enough.”

For some of the veterans, the game was eerily similar to the heartbreak felt in Boise, Idaho, after Fresno State claimed the MPC Computers Bowl in overtime by scoring 14 of the game’s final 17 points before instant replay was installed.

Others reflected on how special the actual regular season, one in which late-game surges propelled the team into position to merely be invited to the Gator Bowl.

“We had full confidence up until the very end,” Virginia tight end Tom Santi said. “We have been in that situation before, but unfortunately instead of us coming back and winning it at the end we kind of gave it away.

“That’s kind of been our signature, kind of stealing it away at the end and finding a way to win.”

Many just pondered how it truly happened.

How could Virginia lose a 14-point lead so late after holding down the nation’s top passing offense for so long?

Virginia coach Al Groh, while citing Texas Tech’s accomplishment, pointed at two game-changing situations in the game.

The first, in his opinion, was controllable - the Red Raiders stole a possession by converting an onside kick to open the second half.

The latter, a fumble that Virginia appeared to recover, proved to be out of Groh’s control.

After trying to challenge the play, the ACC Coach of the Year was told it was not reviewable.

“For the amount of money spent on instant replay, that’s what it’s for - to make sure the right team has the ball,” Groh said. “The team that fumbled the ball did get it. The team that recovered the ball didn’t get it.

“You can assess what that meant to the game.”

Virginia also did its part to help Texas Tech’s comeback, as true freshman quarterback Peter Lalich fumbled on the 4-yard-line with just over three minutes left. The miscue came after a breakdown in pass

protection for an attempted screen pass.

Both situations, as Groh said, “resulted in two additional possessions” for Texas Tech.

“A team of that firepower, if you give them additional possessions, and one with a real short field and one with a relatively short field, you are just making it hard on yourself to win,” he said. “And, unfortunately, we bear the results of that.”

Missing in action

Despite arriving at the Gator Bowl with the traveling party and working out in the practices leading up to the game, Virginia running back and kick returner Andrew Pearman was not at Tuesday’s game.

According to multiple sources, Pearman was sent home after being involved in an altercation with a teammate at the team hotel.

It is unknown what the future status will be for Pearman, who has one year of eligibility remaining with the program.

Barring academic casualties or injuries, it would appear that Virginia is stacked at tailback next season.

Current junior Cedric Peerman (585 yards rushing), sophomore Mikell Simpson (570) and redshirt freshman Keith Payne (219) are expected to return to a position that also boasts redshirt freshman Raynard Horne, true freshman Max Milien and incoming recruit Torrey Mack.

Another bowl game?

Right guard Ian-Yates Cunningham, a senior, will don a Virginia helmet one more time.

Cunningham accepted an invitation to play in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. The contest, which is played in Hawaii, is viewed as a showcase for NFL scouts.

 

Cavaliers couldn't seal win
Each time Virginia had a chance to put a stake in its foe, Texas Tech got away.
Doug Doughty

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Desperation time came early Tuesday for Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl.

Having fallen behind by two touchdowns, the Red Raiders faced a fourth-and-3 from their 33-yard line with less than 10 minutes remaining.

A stop there and Texas Tech might have been toast.

"If we're talking about the same play, wow!" Cavaliers linebacker Clint Sintim said.

Virginia came with an all-out blitz and a backpedaling Graham Harrell hadn't completed his third step before lofting the ball to a diving Eric Morris for a 5-yard gain.

It was one of three fourth-down conversions for the Red Raiders, who rallied for a 31-28 victory at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

"I believe it was a screen or a bubble pass and I jumped and just barely nicked the ball," said Sintim, who was rushing on the play. "The quarterback put it in a place where only the receiver could get it."

The Red Raiders faced two other fourth downs on the drive, the first of which Texas Tech converted as the result of an interference call on UVa freshman Mike Parker, and the second of which ended on an end-zone pass breakup by Ras-I Dowling.

After that breakup, the Cavaliers -- ahead 28-14 -- took possession at their 1-yard line with 8:04 remaining in the game.

There were maybe a half-dozen occasions when Virginia could have stuck a stake in Texas Tech's heart, but the Red Raiders always wiggled out of harm's way.

With less than four minutes remaining and Texas Tech still trailing 28-14, Harrell completed a 14-yard pass to Danny Amendola on fourth-and-four from the UVa 34. Two plays later, Harrell found Michael Crabtree along the right side of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown pass that made it 28-21 with 3:31 left.

The play was upheld by a video review, one of many during a four-hour, 10-minute affair.

One of those reviews followed a challenge by UVa coach Al Groh.

Texas Tech, which had trailed 21-7 at the half, opened the second half with an onside kick that was bobbled by UVa's Trey Womack and recovered by the Red Raiders. However, on Texas Tech's first play from scrimmage, the ball came loose again after a 1-yard pass from Harrell to Morris.

Officials quickly signaled Texas Tech ball, but, when a television replay flashed across the jumbo TV in the end zone, the UVa coaches went ballistic.

Before the next play was under way, Groh started waving his arms at an official in front of the bench. Play eventually was stopped for a review of the pass, but confusion reigned.

"We should have had the ball," said Groh, in a statement that was stricken from the postgame quotes distributed by the Gator Bowl. "Obviously, for the amount of money that's spent on replay, that's what it's for, to make sure the right team has the ball.

So, what happened?

"You'll have to ask the guy upstairs who was making the call," Groh said. "Whatever it was, they said it was not a challengeable play. What we saw was a ball that came out and the team that fumbled the ball didn't get it."

Texas Tech went on to score and trim UVa's deficit to 21-14, but the Cavaliers responded with a touchdown to restore their two-touchdown lead at 28-14 with 11:26 left.

That touchdown drive had begun with junior Jameel Sewell at quarterback, but Sewell suffered a knee injury and was replaced by true freshman Peter Lalich. It was one of four times in UVa's last six games that a Sewell injury forced the Cavaliers to turn to Lalich in the fourth quarter.

Much has been made of Virginia's five come-from-behind fourth quarter victories this season, but the Cavaliers also lost two games -- to North Carolina State and Texas Tech -- in which they had fourth-quarter leads. In a third game, UVa trailed Virginia Tech 23-21 after three quarters.

Lalich was composed enough on his first drive to throw his first touchdown pass since September, but his later fumble at the UVa 4-yard line led to the Texas Tech touchdown that made it 28-28.

Sewell eventually returned to the game, but "we did not want him in there when he was immobile, one, for his safety and two, for the execution of things," Groh said.

"There at the end, kind of with a warrior's mentality, he was like, 'I don't care; I can do this.' Clearly, when he got out of the pocket, he couldn't do the same thing.' "

On a drive that stalled and caused Virginia to punt with 2:11 left, Sewell ran out of bounds following a 3-yard gain on third-and-7. That was one of several decisions that called UVa's game and clock management into question.

Virginia couldn't pull out the win despite the longest run in school history, a 96-yard touchdown scamper by Mikell Simpson in the second quarter, and the first two-safety performance in the program's history. Nate Collins and Sintim were credited with sacks when Harrell passed to ineligible receivers from the end zone.

"A safety, obviously, is one of the queen mothers of quarterback frustration," Raiders coach Mike Leach said. "A lot of them don't come back from it."
 

Albert declaring for draft
UVa's junior OG says he will complete paperwork for the draft and forgo his last season.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

Branden Albert's pain was unmistakable Tuesday as he talked about the seniors on Virginia's football team who hadn't been able to finish their college careers with a victory.

What he couldn't say at the time was that he would be joining them.

"It would have been selfish of me to come out after the game and say, 'OK, I'm moving on,' "Albert, a junior offensive guard, said Wednesday. "There were a lot of guys who were hurting after that game and I took it as hard as anybody."

Albert, named first-team All-ACC this season, told The Roanoke Times on Wednesday night that he will forgo his final season of eligibility.

The 6-foot-7, 310-pound lineman said he will complete the necessary paperwork to make himself available for the 2008 NFL Draft.

"I have been thinking about this decision for about the last month," said Albert, a co-captain who also was named a third-team All-American this season.

Albert made his 37th consecutive start for the Cavaliers on Tuesday in their 31-28 loss to Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl.

He started for the Cavaliers as a true freshman in the opening game of the 2005 season and never missed a game.

"I think I was a good kid; I haven't been in any trouble," Albert said. "I think I did right by the program and the program did right by me."

Albert said he notified head coach Al Groh and offensive-line coach Dave Borbely of his decision Wednesday.

"For the last week or so, I've known that this is what I want to do," said Albert, who lived in Rochester, N.Y., before finishing high school in Glen Burnie, Md., where he also played basketball. "This draft, in my opinion, should be lean for offensive guards."

Albert also started two games at offensive tackle when Eugene Monroe was injured this season, a moonlighting opportunity that should improve his marketability.

Albert did not solicit the opinion of an NCAA committee that advises underclassmen, relying instead on his older brother, Ashley Sims, and Groh.

"He did not try to deter me," said Albert of his conversations with Groh. "I trusted Coach Groh. He's very knowledgeable about the NFL. I knew he wasn't going to steer me the wrong way."

Albert originally signed with Virginia in 2004 but took a postgraduate year at Hargrave Military Academy. He turned 23 in November and admitted that was a factor in his decision.

"You know that football doesn't last forever and that's part of it," said Albert, "but, mostly, I just felt like I was ready."

The Gator Bowl started out as a suitable go-out party for Albert, who rushed for a 6-yard gain on a trick play in the second quarter. The Cavaliers rushed for a season-high 249 yards as a team, but the finish left a sour taste in Albert's mouth.

It was Albert's man, Texas Tech defensive tackle Rajon Henley, who applied the pressure that caused quarterback Peter Lalich to fumble at the UVa 4-yard line with the Cavaliers clinging to a 28-21 lead.

"We were setting up for a screen and I let my man go too early," Albert said.

Jake Ratliff recovered for the Red Raiders, who needed one play to tie the score.

"Of course, that's going to be on my mind for a while," Albert said. "I kind of feel I lost the game for us. I cracked."

That kind of accountability is one of the reasons that teammates elected Albert as one of the co-captains as a junior, and a third-year junior at that.

"I feel, towards the end, that I got a lot more attention as a player, but I understand that comes with winning," he said. "I have no complaints with the University of Virginia. I got everything out of my career that I could have wanted."
 

Tech, U.Va. lacking Peninsula District presence
At least temporarily, Orange Bowl will mark the end of a Peninsula era with the Hokies.
Norm Wood | 247-4642
10:53 PM EST, January 2, 2008
 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. - As free safety D.J. Parker scanned Virginia Tech's practice field in August, he realized an era was about to pass in Blacksburg. The chances of a group from his part of the state stepping in to fill huge shoes were slim. Parker is one of three Peninsula District-bred starters who will lead No. 5 Tech (11-2) against No. 8 Kansas (11-1) Thursday in the Orange Bowl. Enjoy it now, Peninsula District fans. That kind of presence won't be there next season.

Along with him, defensive end Chris Ellis, a Bethel High graduate, and linebacker Xavier Adibi, who like Parker is a product of Phoebus High, will play their final games in a Tech uniform. If quarterback Tyrod Taylor, a Hampton High graduate, doesn't win the starting job at Tech next season, there likely will be no starters from a Peninsula District school for Tech or the University of Virginia.

What has happened to the Peninsula District ? at least temporarily? Where has all the talent gone, or where is it going if it's not going to Tech or U.Va.?

Several factors seem to contribute to the absence of PD talent at Tech and U.Va., including geographical recruiting focuses of both universities, youth in the district and recruiting efforts of Division I-A universities outside the state.

When Parker realized all of the Tech upperclassmen from the district were about to be gone, he immediately sought out two fellow Phoebus graduates -- Tech defensive end Steven Friday and linebacker Matt Wright, who is Parker's brother. Parker had some friendly advice to offer. Friday is a redshirt freshman; Wright is a freshman.

"I told those young guys they need to step up," Parker said. "Being from the Peninsula District, we produce. They need to represent. Those guys are working hard. They're still young. They didn't come right in and play right away like we did, but they're working. It might just be a drought in the Peninsula District, but it won't be down for long."

After tonight's game, Friday, Taylor and Wright will join sophomore running back Elan Lewis, another Phoebus graduate; redshirt freshman linebacker Tim Richardson, a Hampton graduate who is a walk-on; and freshman offensive guard Jaymes Brooks, a Denbigh graduate, as the remaining PD alumni on Tech's roster.

At U.Va., the only former PD players are redshirt freshman offensive guard Isaac Cain, a Hampton graduate who is a walk-on, and freshman linebackers Aaron Taliaferro from Gloucester High and Jared Detrick from Woodside.

The Peninsula District numbers at Tech and U.Va. won't get any better Feb. 6 on national signing day. Of the 42 recruits committed to Tech and U.Va. for the class of 2008, none is a PD product. U.Va. hasn't aggressively recruited the PD since coach Al Groh took over in '01.

"I think just size-wise the district just hasn't had the kids," Hampton High coach Mike Smith said. "I guess the water just isn't running right down here ? I don't know. I think part of it is it's just one of those down times for us." In some ways, it's a numbers game. With only 10 Peninsula District schools, and 29 schools in the three Group AAA districts that compose Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, there are simply more places to look for talent on the Southside.

"There's more people (on the Southside) so, of course, there's going to be more players," said Tech offensive line coach Curt Newsome, a Hampton native who recruits Hampton High, the Southside schools and parts of Ohio.

"(The Peninsula District) is still a hotbed in the state. Every year, every team in that area is not going to have a player that can play on this level. The Iversons, the Currys, the Vicks, those kinds of players are still going to come through there. I think we got one out of there a year ago. Tyrod calls that area home. I don't think anybody else in the country has signed a Tyrod Taylor."

As bleak as the recent PD classes have been for Tech and U.Va., it won't last long. Phoebus has two juniors -- quarterback Tajh Boyd and defensive end Dominik Davenport -- who already have offers from Tech and U.Va. Two juniors at Hampton -- running back Tron Martinez and Tyrel Wilson, who will play linebacker next season -- also are garnering a lot of interest. Bethel running back Jontel Evans and Gloucester wide receiver Ray Harris, both juniors, also figure to be highly recruited.

"There's been kind of a drop-off in the district a little bit, but that goes around a lot anyway," Ellis said. "It takes a couple years before the size starts to come back. I think it's coming back now because our time is about up. Those boys have got to get back on the recruiting trail."

It's not as if PD talent is a secret exclusive to recruiters from Tech and U.Va. In the last three years, some of the district's best talent has opted to head out of the state. Tennessee is benefiting from the presence of junior linebacker Jerod Mayo, a Kecoughtan High graduate, and freshman cornerback Brent Vinson, yet another Phoebus product. Fullback Haroon Brown and offensive lineman Maurice Hampton, both freshmen from Phoebus, are at Maryland.

The talent is coming back. It's just getting a lot harder for Tech and U.Va. to close the borders.

"I wish they'd have stayed in the state, but for one or another reason, they went out of the state," Phoebus coach Bill Dee said. "I don't really think it's been a down time. I just think some of those kids went to some other schools. Florida comes up here periodically. Tennessee has always recruited the area hard. ? They don't all stay in the state. As long as those other schools are recruiting the area, it's going to happen sometimes."

 

ACC takes its lumps
By FRANK DASCENZO : The Herald-Sun
fdascenzo@heraldsun.com
Jan 3, 2008

It's a good thing Jim Grobe hasn't taken a bigger job and that, even without Tom O'Brien, Boston College still knows how to win bowl games, because have you felt that ACC hangover yet?

Going into tonight's Orange Bowl, the ACC is an embarrassing 2-5 in bowls, 6-9 over the last two years.

I know, it's a basketball conference.

Sure, John Swofford wanted expansion for the possibility of one day seeing two ACC teams in BCS games -- you know, like the Big Ten and SEC sometimes do. Well, here's what happens when you've got academic troubles, an interim coach and a team that couldn't protect a two-touchdown lead with college football's best defensive lineman.

* Boston College 24, Michigan State 21: I'll get the good news out of the way first. BC has won eight straight bowl games. Having Matt Ryan throw for 241 yards against a suspicious Spartans secondary does help, even with plenty of empty seats at the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando.

Replacing O'Brien wasn't going to be easy, but Jeff Jagodzinski had two factors in his favor while compiling an 11-3, 6-2 ACC record. One was bowl MVP Ryan and the other Frank Spaziani's decision to return as defensive coordinator. His defense picked Spartans QB Brian Hoyer four times.

* Oregon State 21, Maryland 14: Maybe it was the baseball field in San Francisco. Maybe it was the sourdough bread or the cable cars. Were these the same Terps -- with only 11 first downs and 19 rushing yards -- who beat N.C. State in November and sent some Wolfpack Club members home at halftime? I mean, Maryland (6-7, 3-5) led 14-7 but didn't score in the last three quarters.

* Wake Forest 24, UConn 10: Sit down when you read this -- Wake has 20 wins in the last two seasons. Trailing the Huskies 10-0 at halftime of the Meineke Car Care Bowl, the Deacs became efficient, faster, smarter, and, obviously, were well-coached. Riley Skinner's 268 yards were impressive, and Kenny Moore's 112 weren't bad, either. Wake's 9-4, 5-3 ACC finish is remarkable after winning the ACC title in 2006 and playing in the Orange Bowl.

* Fresno State 40, Georgia Tech 28: Paul Johnson was watching in the press box at Boise, Idaho, in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, and I imag- ine what he saw was a team that gave up 27 unanswered points and 571 yards, the most all season. See what happens when you put a good defensive coordinator, Jon Tenuta, as a one-game interim head coach?

* Kentucky 35, FSU 28: No matter how you shake it, the Seminoles (7-6, 4-4) aren't what they used to be. Those 10 penalties for 102 yards sure did hurt. It was a bad New Year's Eve for the Bowdens, and Bobby suffered his first December bowl loss. Losing some players for academic reasons didn't help, but the Wildcats might be playing better football now than they are basketball.

One thing the Bowdens don't want to do is see Kentucky in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., any more. The Wildcats beat Clemson there last season 28-20.

* Auburn 23, Clemson 20, OT: Rumor has it that Clemson likes Atlanta, but at the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the other Tigers seemed to like being there, too. Did Auburn really have 90 snaps and gain 423 yards? Tommy Bowden's bowl record dipped to 3-5. Just asking, but is Clemson happy to be 9-4, 6-2 ACC?

* Texas Tech 31, Virginia 28: Now this one really did knife the ACC in the back. The Wahoos (9-4, 6-2) had the Red Raiders where they wanted them, up 21-7 at halftime and Chris Long would be on the field in the second half to chase down anybody. You think Al Groh had a good New Year's Day? Virginia was a team that survived in close games -- winning five by no more than two points -- but died in its last one.

 

Returning depth lifts Cavs' spirits
Disappointed Virginia coaches, players look ahead to next season
Date published: 1/3/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--The Virginia football team may have just suffered its most heartbreaking loss in Al Groh's seven-year tenure, but it has pledged not to fracture.

The Cavaliers head coach and his players all said that while Tuesday's 31-28 loss to Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl is difficult to accept, they still have plenty of optimism for next season.

Virginia allowed a 28-14 lead with less than four minutes remaining to evaporate against the Red Raiders, but Groh said it's going to take much more than that to send a schism through his unified team.

"The first thing that happens after a team loses is you begin the blame game," Groh said. "This has been a tight-knit group. So there's no heartbreak and there's no bitterness that's going to divide us."

Groh said the Gator Bowl collapse didn't involve just one player. He took a part of the blame. Junior linebacker Clint Sintim said it was "a team effort."

Junior left guard Branden Albert accepted responsibility for his false start penalty while the Cavaliers were trying to run out the clock, and for his missed block that allowed the Red Raiders' defensive line easy access to quarterback Peter Lalich, forcing a game-changing fumble.

"I just think we lost our focus a little bit," Albert said.

No matter the case, the Cavaliers still have to look forward to next season. They finished this past season 9-4 after going 5-7 in 2006.

They lose just four starters on offense and four on defense, although one of the defensive starters is All-American end Chris Long.

Their hopes may begin with sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell, who'll return for his third season as a starter.

Sewell had an up-and-down year, but proved to be a strong leader and an efficient runner while still developing in the passing game.

However, he said the thing that bothered him most about this season was his inability to finish games.

He left all of Virginia's final three losses with injuries, including the Gator Bowl when he sprained his knee on a quarterback sneak early in the fourth quarter.

"Just being able to avoid injuries is a talent," Sewell said. "It kind of seems like I'm injury-prone right now. I've just got to try to avoid some of those hits and try not to put my team in a hole."

Sewell will have plenty of help in the backfield next season. Junior running back Cedric Peerman was leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing after six games before he suffered a foot injury that required season-ending surgery.

Peerman's expected to return next season and join versatile sophomore Mikell Simpson in the backfield. Simpson made the biggest splash of any Virginia offensive player this season.

He entered the lineup in midseason, but finished with 972 total yards (570 rushing, 402 receiving) and 10 touchdowns (eight rushing, two receiving).

He rushed for a career-high 170 yards in the Gator Bowl, including a bowl and school-record 96-yard touchdown run.

The Cavaliers lose their entire interior offensive line in center Jordy Lipsey, right guard Ian-Yates Cunningham and Albert, who decided yesterday to turn pro one year early. Tight ends Tom Santi and Jonathan Stupar also depart, but John Phillips returns.

Wide receiver was a position of weakness this season, but 2006 leader Kevin Ogletree will be back next year after he suffered a torn ACL last spring.

Jeffrey Fitzgerald is the lone returner on the defensive line, while three linebackers and three members of the secondary will be back. Kicker Chris Gould and punter Ryan Weigand had solid seasons, but have exhausted their eligibility.

 

Singletary's report card mixed
By Whitelaw Reid / wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
January 3, 2008

When Virginia senior Sean Singletary toyed with the idea of turning pro this past summer, he got plenty of feedback from NBA scouts.

One of the things they told him was that he needed to play more under control. Translation: He needed to work on his playmaking skills and cut down on his turnovers.

Through 12 games this season, the results have been mixed.

Singletary is averaging 6.8 assists, an increase of two from last season. However, he’s also averaging 5.0 turnovers, nearly two more than in 2006-07.

“I might be a little concerned because he’s turning the ball over,” said Virginia coach Dave Leitao, “but other than that, he’s third in this league in scoring. He’s fifth in the country in assists. He’s playing better defense and more of a team game. He just happens to be turning it over a little more.”

Singletary had a combined 13 turnovers against Longwood and Hampton. He had five against Hartford on Sunday.

Tonight, when Virginia (10-2) plays at Xavier, Singletary will need to take better care of the rock. The Musketeers, who came within an eyelash of upsetting Ohio State last year in the NCAA Tournament and advancing to the Sweet 16, will represent UVa’s toughest challenge since its clash with Syracuse early last month.

“We know they’re a tough team and that we’ll be on the road,” said Singletary, who is averaging 18.2 points. “They’re going to come after us because we’re defending champions of the ACC. That’s a bull’s-eye on our back.

“They have a great team. They have quality guards and wing players.

We’re going to have to go in there and take care of business.”

Xavier (10-3) is coming off one of its best performances of the season – a 26-point thrashing of Kansas State on Monday. The Musketeers, whose only loss at home this season was against Tennessee, had seven players score in double figures and held KSU superstar Michael Beasley, the likely No. 1 pick in this June’s NBA Draft, to a season-low five points.

“It’s a very difficult challenge for us and one that we have to be physically and especially emotionally ready for,” said Leitao, whose team has won four straight games, but has looked out to lunch in two of them. “I think it’s a combination of them having very good players, being well coached and having a fan base that really supports the home team. The [U.S. Bank Arena] gives them the kind of advantages that we’re fortunate enough to have here.”

That means UVa will likely need Singletary at his best.

Clearly, UVa’s captain has been acclimating to life without backcourt partner J.R. Reynolds. Last season, Reynolds handled some of the point-guard duties, allowing Singletary to play more off of the ball.

The thought this season was that freshman Sammy Zeglinski was going to let Singletary slide over to the 2-guard some, but Zeglinski has been out with an ankle injury and Virginia doesn’t have too many other options at the point.

Calvin Baker and Jeff Jones are more scorers than orchestrators, and Mustapha Farrakhan doesn’t seem ready to be thrown into the mix.

Of course, Singletary, who has played while under the weather in three games this season, always seems to raise his level of play against better competition. Virginia opens ACC play on Jan. 13 at Duke.

“I don’t want to start thinking like he’s not having a good year because if you look at it, he’s doing a whole lot more than he has in the past,” Leitao said. “I think we’re trying to get everyone else on the team to raise to his level because we don’t have a one-two punch like we did last year.

“If we get other guys to play at [his] level more consistently, then we’ll be just fine. But I don’t look at it where Sean has not been as dominating.”

Dunks

This is the second meeting between the schools. Virginia won the first back in the 1971-72 season. … UVa is 87-74 against current members of the Atlantic-10, but lost its last meeting to Fordham in 2005-06. …Xavier has six players who are averaging 10 points or more.