Cavs drop Eagles
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
March 21, 2008

Virginia’s fate might have changed with one hanging changeup and one ping of the bat.

Oddly enough, the Cavaliers still trailed after the blast over the left-center field wall. But the damage was done.

Virginia first baseman Jeremy Farrell started off the bottom half of the fourth inning with the game-changing homer that sparked a six-run frame to lift the Cavaliers past Boston College, 7-3, at Davenport Field on Friday.

“You need your veteran players to step up, and Jeremy did,” said Virginia coach Brian O’Connor. “His homer gave life to our dugout when we needed it.”

It also kept 24th-ranked Virginia (17-4, 3-4 ACC) from suffering another loss in the league, which appeared possible after BC (9-9, 2-5) scratched for lone runs in the first and second innings, respectively, off All-American pitcher Jacob Thompson.

“This was a huge team win,” said UVa second baseman David Adams. “After losing four out of six in the ACC, it is pretty tough, but it is early and we have a long way to go.

“We all know what [Thompson] has in him. It was just a matter of time.”

Apparently it was, as Thompson (3-0) settled down soon enough to buy his offense time to solve BC starter Terry Doyle, who stranded four Cavaliers through the first three innings.

Doyle (2-2), who allowed eight hits and seven runs (five earned) over six innings, appeared to unravel after losing the head-to-head battle with Farrell’s bat.

“I had two strikes and I was trying to stay back and drive it to left-center,” Farrell said of his third homer this season. “[Doyle] left it up and I was able to get the ball out.”

The rally that commenced and included eight more batters would not have happened, Adams said, with Farrell’s lead-off hit.

“If he doesn’t hit that home run, that inning, you can put that behind us,” Adams said. “He deserves all the credit.”

It was Adams, however, that had the biggest run-producing hit in the inning. With the score tied 2-2 after a bases-loaded walk to Tyler Cannon, Adams drilled a three-run double over the head of BC left fielder Mickey Wiswall.

Adams, a junior second baseman, also scored seconds later on a play that left the 1,600-plus fans at Davenport Field stunned. After a would-be pickoff throw to second rolled into right field, Adams hustled to third only to bluff that he stopped near the bag. He sprinted successfully for home after a lollipop-like relay came back into the infield.

“That was vintage David Adams,” O’Connor said. “He is one of the most instictive baseball players I have ever coached.”

UVa added another run in fifth inning, buying more than enough run support for Thompson, who pitched into the seventh despite allowing five walks. The right-hander added seven strikeouts before giving way to reliever Matt Packer for the final nine outs.

“I was disappointed with how I pitched early, but we still had seven innings left and I had to draw the line and just push through it,” Thompson said. “It was not pretty by any means, but I did what I could for the team.”

Virginia and Boston College are slated to play today at 1 p.m. The Cavaliers will start lefty Pat McAnaney on the mound.

 

Groh deals with unexpected defections
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
March 21, 2008

What seemed like an endless pattern of premature subtractions from his two-deep was of little concern Friday afternoon for Virginia coach Al Groh.

As par for the course, Groh has once again adopted an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality as the spring practice period kicked off.

That ideology, the coach said, allowed him to roll with the punches as he lost his quarterback (Jameel Sewell), best defensive lineman (Jeffrey Fitzgerald) and a starting cornerback (Chris Cook) - and potentially another (Mike Brown) - in a three-month window.

“I don’t get frustrated,” Groh said during a teleconference Friday. “Frustration doesn’t accomplish anything.

“We have a formula in place for what we believe and how we operate, which we are always self-checking and quality controlling, and with that in mind, we are going about our business on a daily basis.”

After overhearing conversations amongst the remaining players, Groh said the mentality has spread throughout the program.

One player’s message, the coach said, was that “we feel bad for them for their circumstances, but we’re who we got and we are ready to put the team together with who we go out.”

Similar messages were common among the veterans, so Groh was unable to “attribute” the quote on the fly.

“There were so many that had something to jump up and say … but that is the general consensus and I think the players certainly recognize the revolving door in college football moves pretty fast,” Groh said. “There are no 12-year veterans.”

Two stars suddenly back in the fold after lengthy rehabs can certainly attest to that.

Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, who missed 2007 with a torn ACL, and running back Cedric Peerman were expected to practice in the light session without restriction.

That is not surprising in regards to Ogletree, who was cleared for full contact in the sessions leading up to the Gator Bowl. But many were fearful that Peerman’s Lisfranc injury could linger, as it has with many professional athletes.

“He will be a full participant [Friday],” Groh said before pointing out the restrictions he may place and how “sensitive” he would be with his veteran tailback.

Peerman ran for 585 yards in six games and maintained the ACC rushing lead before the first-half injury at Middle Tennessee State ended his season.

“Ced doesn’t have anything to prove, whether it’s his toughness or his skill or how passionate he is about the team or about winning, but we do want to kind of get him re-activated,” Groh said. “He’s very anxious to do that obviously.

“We are going to moderate how we immerse him into things and just see how it goes. There is no medical restriction on him.”

Other players, such as linebacker John Bivens (knee), offensive lineman Eugene Monroe (shoulder) and linebacker J’Courtney Williams (shoulder) are not as fortunate, entering spring with respective injuries that will be monitored on a case-by-case basis.

“It’s a combination of the severity of the surgery, when it occurred, how far back in time was it from the start of spring practice,” Groh pointed out.

“It’s going to make it a little tricky practicing, whether it’s Cedric situation, or Bivens or Monroe or this guy or that guy … there are a lot of different time schedules that we are on.”

Groh said his program would practice this spring “probably without one” player, although that could change.

Multiple sources confirmed that the “one” players was sophomore running back Keith Payne, who rushed 58 times for 219 yards.

Additions could be made during the spring as every player will be monitored throughout the 15-practice period.

“This is a challenging academic environment for the players,” Groh said. “We are aware of what the players are expected to do.”

With all the shuffle, Groh said he reminded the players that starting spots were open across the board.

“Every year we promote the idea that there is competition at every position, but clearly is a guy has played a lot he’s staked his claim to that spot and his is going to be hard to dislodge,” Groh said. “We do have a number of positions this year that we would expect the competition … [some battles have] the potential to be pretty intense, and perhaps on a day-to-day basis.”

In the trenches

Virginia offensive line coach Dave Borbely could get more from the 15 practices than any other position coach.

With just two returning starters back at tackle - Will Barker and Monroe - the Cavaliers will have three holes to fill.

A combination of sophomore B.J. Cabbell, junior Patrick Slebonick and senior Zak Stair should settle the two vacancies at guard.

There should be less drama at center. Sophomore Jack Shields has been the prime target to replace Jordy Lipsey for over a year.

Shields may also have the frame to do handle the spot now - he is listed at 6-foot-5 and 289 pounds.

“On the scale is one thing,” Groh said,” and playing strength is another.”

Shields was cited as being one of the team’s best performers in the strenth and conditioning program since the Gator Bowl.

Two strikes and out

Former wideout-turned-tailback Andrew Pearman was not on the university-issued roster for spring practice and his addition to the program for his final year of eligibility seems highly unlikely.

Pearman was sent home early from the Gator Bowl after an altercation at the team hotel with a teammate.

Groh did not elaborate, citing the health matter a “sensitive family issue.”

“It was a reoccurrence of the same health issues at the end of the season that caused his having to leave a year earlier,” Groh said. “In all likelihood, two times in those circumstances and whatnot, [Pearman is] probably not going to be a part of the program.”



 

Cavs begin battle for playing time
Springs drills start for a squad with many starters gone
Saturday, Mar 22, 2008 - 12:07 AM

U.VA. SPRING FOOTBALL GAME

April 12:2 p.m., at Scott Stadium
By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTESVILLE - In theory, competition is ongoing for every starting job on a football team.

In reality, if "a guy has played a lot, he's kind of staked his claim to that spot, and he's going to be hard to dislodge," University of Virginia coach Al Groh said.

Such was the case at U.Va. last year. The Cavaliers opened spring practice with most of their starters back from 2006.

A year later, the list of incumbents is considerably shorter. Gone are starters at quarterback (Jameel Sewell), center (Jordy Lipsey), offensive guard (Branden Albert and Ian-Yates Cunningham), tight end (Tom Santi and Jonathan Stupar), defensive end (Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald), nose tackle (Allen Billyk), outside linebacker (Jermaine Dias), cornerback (Chris Cook), safety (Nate Lyles), punter (Ryan Weigand) and kicker (Chris Gould), as well as special-teams standout Josh Zidenberg.

So for Virginia's younger players, in particular, this offseason holds special significance. The Wahoos, who went 9-4 last season, began spring drills yesterday, and competition for playing time should be fierce.

On a teleconference with reporters yesterday, Groh was asked if his team's tumultuous offseason had frustrated him. Since the end of last season, Virginia has lost five players for academic reasons, including starters Sewell, Fitzgerald and Cook. Mike Brown, a former starter at cornerback, was arrested last month on felony charges and isn't taking part in team activities.

"I don't get frustrated," Groh said. "Frustration doesn't accomplish anything."

MEDICAL REPORT: Tailback Cedric Peerman, who was leading the ACC in rushing when he suffered a season-ending foot injury Oct. 6, has been cleared to fully practice.

"Ced doesn't have anything to prove, whether it's his toughness or his skill or how passionate he is about the team, but we do want to get him kind of reactivated," Groh said. "He's very anxious to do that."

Peerman and other players coming off injuries or operations will practice to varying degrees this spring.

YOUNG BLOOD: Candidates to join rising senior Alex Field on the two-deep at defensive end include Sean Gottschalk (Deep Run High), Matt Conrath and Zane Parr. Gottschalk will be a redshirt sophomore and Conrath and Parr redshirt freshmen in the fall.

"We really like the young players that we have there," Groh said, "but obviously that's what they are: They are young players. We know how much better Chris [Long], for example, was in his fourth year than in his first year."

DOUBLE DUTY: Mike Parker, who as a redshirt freshman last season was a key reserve at cornerback, will take snaps at safety as well this spring. Rising senior Zak Stair, a former starter at offensive tackle, will also work at guard and could start there.

PARTING WAYS: Groh confirmed that tailback Andrew Pearman isn't likely to play again for U.Va. Pearman, who withdrew from school in November 2006 for personal reasons, rejoined the team last year. But he was sent home from Jacksonville, Fla., in December before the Gator Bowl.

"It was a reoccurrence of the same health issues at the end of the season that caused his having to leave a year earlier," Groh said. "In all likelihood, [after two such incidents], he's probably not going to be part of the program. It's kind of a sensitive family issue."

Pearman's older brother, Alvin, starred at Virginia and now plays in the NFL.

 

Cavs' spring plans all set
UVa coach Al Groh said the team will go without tailback Andrew Pearman, who is not on the current roster.
By Doug Doughty doug.doughty@roanoke.com
981-3129

There have been so many developments with Virginia's football team since the end of the 2007 season that there was very little to report Friday on the opening day of spring practice.

A roster released early in the day had only one notable absentee, tailback Andrew Pearman.

Pearman was sent home from the Gator Bowl after an altercation with a teammate and there had been some question about his status for 2008.

Pearman is the younger brother of former All-ACC tailback Alvin Pearman, whose final season was 2004.

"It was a recurrence of the health issues that caused him to leave earlier," UVa coach Al Groh said. "In all likelihood, he's not going to be part of the program. It's kind of a sensitive family issue."

The Cavaliers already knew they would be without several top underclassmen off the 2007 team, including All-ACC offensive guard Branden Albert, who passed up his final season of eligibility and applied for the NFL Draft.

In January, starting quarterback Jameel Sewell and veteran cornerback Chris Cook were among a group of four scholarship players placed on academic suspension by the dean's office. They won't be back until 2009, if at all.

It's hard to say any of the losses was more damaging than the February departure of defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who lost his appeal of an academic-related offense. He will not return.

"The team doesn't go into this with an amnesia attack, where we forget everything we're about and what made us successful" said Groh, the 2007 ACC coach of the year. "It's been clear in the offseason that there are some players who are very anxious to pick up the baton in that [leadership] area.

"As one player addressed his teammates recently, 'Look, these guys are our pals. We feel bad for them for their circumstances but we are who we are and we're ready to put the team together with who we've got."

In Sewell's absence, sophomore Peter Lalich heads the lineup at quarterback.

"Peter's pretty poker-faced about things in general," Groh said, "but, in conversations with Pete, he's allowed as how he's really looking forward to going out and getting the maximum number of turns in the scheme."

Fifth-year tailback Cedric Peerman enters spring practice with no restrictions following midseason foot surgery, "but Ced doesn't have anything to prove to us in terms of his toughness or his skill," Groh said. "We're going to modify how we immerse him."

Groh said that some players might be excused from practices in order to stay on track academically, and that one as-yet unnamed player might skip spring ball altogether.

Groh wouldn't identify that player but conceded that "it will be apparent soon enough."

Only two of Virginia's spring practices will be open to the public -- the first on March 30.

Junior cornerback Mike Brown was listed on the updated roster but is not taking part in team activities pending resolution of the matter that led to his arrest Feb. 29 on charges that included grand larceny and possession of marijuana.

Of the new heights and weights that accompanied the updated roster, one most significant transformation is sophomore center Jack Shields, who was listed at 6-foot-5, 289 pounds. Shields, listed at 252 pounds on UVa's Web site and 275 in the 2007 media guide.

"On the scale, that's more than enough," Groh said. "Obviously, on the scale is one thing and playing strength is another. But, he's been very diligent."

Shields was recruited with the idea of one day replacing undersized Jordy Lipsey, UVa's highly dependable center for the past two years. Shields originally lacked the size.

"You know, he played quarterback as a high-school freshman or sophomore, then tight end," said Groh, who has 6-4, 284-pound Anthony Mihota in the mix. "He's [Shields] a very athletic player."

 

Cavaliers lose Pearman
By MELINDA WALDROP | 247-4634
March 22, 2008
 

Running back Andrew Pearman, who gained 144 yards on 37 carries and rushed for two touchdowns in 2007, won't play for Virginia in 2008.

Pearman, who also had 13 receptions for 99 yards, isn't listed on the Cavaliers' spring football roster and is "probably not going to be part of the program," U.Va. coach Al Groh said Friday before the first day of spring football practice. "It's kind of a sensitive family thing."

After playing in the first four games of the 2006 season, when he had seven catches for 34 yards, Pearman withdrew from school, citing personal reasons after having knee surgery.

Pearman, the younger brother of NFL running back Alvin Pearman, transferred to Virginia after spending 2004 at Hawaii, where he did not appear in a game, and sat out the 2005 season.

His departure is the latest setback for the Cavs, who lost quarterback Jameel Sewell, cornerback Chris Cook and defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald to academic suspensions.Cornerback Mike Brown, facing charges including grand larceny and marijuana possession, is also "not presently" participating with the team, Groh said.

SUDDEN SPOTLIGHT
All eyes in spring practice will be on sophomore quarterback Peter Lalich, thrust into the starting role with Sewell's suspension. As a true freshman last year, Lalich threw for 321 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

"Peter's pretty poker-faced about things in general," Groh said. "It would be hard to see too much of his overall reaction on an ongoing basis to much of anything. But in conversations with Pete, he's really looking forward to getting out there and getting to work on it. ... I think he's quite enthusiastic about getting out there this afternoon, in his own low-key fashion."

The Cavs' other QBs, senior Scott Deke and sophomore Marc Verica, have no game experience.

OL AUDITIONS
With the departure of Branden Albert for the NFL and the loss of three seniors, the Cavs' offensive line will rely heavily on senior left tackle Eugene Monroe, who battled knee injuries for the second straight season last year but still earned honorable mention-all-ACC honors.

"He's at the stage of his career where he's looking at the possibility of having a truly outstanding season," Groh said.

Groh said U.Va. also will need a big-time season from right tackle Will Barker, a two-year starter. Beyond that, several young players, including sophomore Isaac Cain, a product of Hampton High, and redshirt freshmen Landon Bradley and Lamar Milstead will get a chance to show what they can do this spring.

INSPIRATIONAL RETURN
Kevin Ogletree, who led Virginia with 582 receiving yards in 2006 but missed all of last season with a knee injury, was expected to participate fully in Friday's practice.

So was running back Cedric Peerman, who gained 585 yards in six games before a season-ending foot injury that required surgery.

Groh said Ogletree's determined approach to his rehabilitation inspired his teammates psychologically as much as his return may help them on the field.

"It really helps in terms of a sense of purpose and direction," Groh said. "(Last year), he didn't have that opportunity to play, and it definitely has sharpened his focus on his career and on how short-term that can be. He's expressed that to his teammates, and he's been a good example. His work ethic has been dramatic."
 

WVU influence could grow in state of Virginia recruiting
Mountaineers checking ex-Hokie signee
By Doug Doughty

Chris Beatty’s return to Tidewater should not be taken lightly by his fellow football recruiters.

Beatty, hired by new West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart, was the point man for the Mountaineers’ successful recruitment of Phoebus quarterback Tahj Boyd and Great Bridge wide receiver Logan Heastie.

Boyd and Heastie were the Nos. 1 and 3 juniors on The Roanoke Times’ list of the top prospects in Virginia, and West Virginia might not be stopping there.

Phoebus coach Bill Dee said he could see WVU becoming a player with Phoebus defensive lineman Dominik Davenport, rated the No. 4 prospect on the juniors’ list.

“They’re getting ready to offer him,” Dee said. “They’re going to be in the mix for him.”

Virginia Tech hasn’t offered Davenport yet. Virginia has.

As to whom Beatty could hurt more, “I’d have to say right now, he’s probably hurting Tech more because Tech has been getting a lot of kids in this area,” Dee said. “Virginia hasn’t been a huge factor in this area.”

New Virginia defensive coordinator Bob Pruett has been assigned the Hampton-Newport News area.

“Pruett’s contacted me a couple of times,” Dee said. “I probably met Bobby once or twice way back, but I know of him. There’s no question, they need to do something to get back in this area.”

West Virginia’s growing influence is more than just Beatty.

“I’ve known Bill Stewart since ’79 and I think a lot of Bill Stewart,” Dee said. “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know how hard [the Mountaineers] were pushing for a commitment.”

Boyd and Heastie had been at West Virginia over the weekend of March 14-16 and Boyd called Dee from Morgantown to say he was committing.

“I didn’t get a chance to sit down and talk to him when he got back Monday but he told me over the phone, ‘It’s just where I want to go,’ “ Dee said.

“So, hey, I just told him, ‘The recruiting’s over right now. You gave them your word.’ And, I’m not going to have a lot of schools in here trying to contact him. That’s the end of the recruitment.’

Boyd was a freshman at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach in Beatty’s last season as the Landstown coach.

“He knew him but I don’t think that had a whole lot to do with it,” Dee said. “West Virginia made it real clear that he was their top prospect that they had on the board, period. He was getting hand-written letters from each [WVU] coach twice a week.

“Beatty definitely knows the area. I think he’s going to make a huge push in this area. Yes, I do. He’s familiar with a lot of the coaches. He’s familiar with a lot of the kids. He’s young and ambitious.”

West Virginia’s spread offense is popular with quarterbacks with the combination passing and running skills that Boyd possesses.

“We’ve used a lot more of it,” Dee said. “We ran some one-back [shot] gun and did some things to utilize his one-back abilities and he can definitely run. My understanding from talking to their offensive coordinator and talking to Bill is that they’re going to try to move toward throwing the ball more, rather than running the quarterback. Tahj is an athletic quarterback, but he can throw.”

Two years ahead of Boyd, another Peninsula District quarterback, Tyrod Taylor of Hampton, was considered the No. 1 prospect in the state. Comparisons have been inevitable.

“They’re a little different,” Dee said. “Without ruffling a whole lot of feathers but trying to be honest with you, Tyrod can run better and I think Tahj is a more pure passer, not to take away from either one.”

The No. 2 rated junior on the Roanoke Times list was Kevin Newsome, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake

“Tahj has worked hard on his speed,” Dee said. “I think he went down to a combine and everybody was talking about the Newsome kid’s speed, but Tahj ran a faster 40.”

Dee said Boyd was timed in 4.56. Newsome had been in contact with West Virginia, but the Mountaineers had to inform him that they could no longer recruit him as a quarterback, although part of Newsome’s attraction is that he is seen as a prospect at multiple positions.

While Stewart couldn’t address the Boyd and Heastie commitments, he did note in a phone conversation earlier this week that West Virginia had gotten in the door with 4-5 Virginia seniors at the end of the recruiting process this year.

“Chris Beatty will get us involved in Tidewater like I couldn’t do and nobody could do,” Stewart said.

ON ANOTHER FRONT, the Mountaineers also have gotten involved with D.J. Thomas, a one-time Virginia Tech football recruit whom the Hokies eventually stopped pursuing for academic reasons.

Thomas signed a letter-of intent with Tech in the winter of 2007, when he was a senior at Patrick Henry in Ashland, but did not meet NCAA eligibility guidelines. It was Thomas’ intention to spend the fall of 2007 at Hargrave Military Academy and enroll at Tech in January, but that was not the Hokies’ plan.

According to Tech’s interpretation of new recruiting legislation last year, the Hokies felt that Thomas would need to attend junior college. Thomas felt that he could get the credits he needed in one year at Hargrave Military Academy.

So, Thomas, a running back, enrolled at Hargrave, but he never played at Hargrave as a result of a knee injury suffered in the Virginia High School All-Star Game. He subsequently underwent surgery and remains enrolled at Hargrave, where WVU has been monitoring his progress.

JAMIE OAKES, WHO covers UVa football recruiting for rivals.com, reported this week that the Cavaliers have made an offer to left-handed quarterback Ross Metheny (6-3, 190) from Sherando High School outside Winchester.

Virginia earlier had made an offer to Tom Savage, a 6-3, 230-pound quarterback from Cardinal O’Hare in Philadelphia. However, the offer to Metheny is not seen as a reflection on the Savage recruiting because the Cavaliers are not opposed to taking two quarterbacks in this class.

Savage already has offers from Penn State, Florida State, Miami, LSU and Georgia, so he’s going to be hard to get. Metheny, rated the No. 21 junior in Virginia by The Roanoke Times, already had received an offer from Connecticut and was preparing for a tour of spring-practice workouts. His recruiting has been heating up.

The Metheny recruiting was complicated when he broke his left ankle (fibula) early in Sherando’s 56-10 loss to Amherst in the Group AA Division 4 championship game (Sherando led 10-7 at the time). At the time of an operation Dec. 9, it was felt that rehabilitation would take 8-12 weeks.
 

Cavaliers Host Johns Hopkins Saturday
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 03/20/2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA—After a three-game road trip, the team’s longest in 14 years, the Cavaliers return home to face reigning national champion Johns Hopkins Saturday. The 3-2 Blue Jays have suffered two straight overtime losses and could very easily be undefeated. Either way, they figure to be a formidable opponent.

“I think in all the typical sport psychology things, as strange as it may sound, you’d think the advantage would be to Johns Hopkins,” said head coach Dom Starsia. “(They’re) coming off two losses—two close losses—and they clearly could be undefeated, while (we’re) sitting here at 8-0. I’m sure coach (Dave) Pietramala was able to get their attention (this week).”

The Blue Jays have won two of the last three national championships and done it with a combination of excellent defensive play and production from the midfield. This year they have been more up tempo and are averaging nearly 11 goals per game.

“I’m not sure that they are as interested in sort of (slowing down) the pace of play as you might have said in other (seasons),” said Starsia about this weekend’s opponent. “Like we talked about before Princeton, which is that you just need to be successful at whatever is required out there.

“If Hopkins did feel like they needed to slow the game down a little bit, then we can’t really prevent them from doing that. We need to be successful in a game like that. We’ve been through a lot of different situations already this year and I don’t think anything would catch us completely by surprise.”

Virginia has been one of the few programs that has found a way to beat the Blue Jays consistently the last few years. During its undefeated national championship season two years ago, Virginia downed Johns Hopkins 12-6 at Klöckner Stadium, while last season the Cavaliers won 7-5 at Homewood.

Starsia doesn’t point to any dramatic strategy to explain his team’s success in winning the last two.

“It has to do with the respect that we have for their program,” he said. “I always feel like in a game against these guys that our kids are ready to play, and I don’t have to work hard to get their attention. We understand that we are going to have to play really well to win and we’ve been willing to do those things, so hopefully we can keep that train going.”