Spring Football Q & A with Jameel Sewell
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 04/12/2009

Senior quarterback Jameel Sewell is back taking snaps for the Cavalier offense after missing the 2008 season while he was not enrolled at the University. Two years ago he helped the Cavaliers to a New Year’s Day bowl appearance at the Gator Bowl and he has his sights set on getting Virginia back to postseason play this fall. Sewell and the Cavaliers will play the annual Spring Football game Saturday. Fan activities start at noon and the football game starts at 2 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Question: With the majority of the spring practices behind you, what are your impressions of the new offense the team is putting into place for next season?
Sewell: It allows us to do a lot of things, so I like it. We are able to put a lot of playmakers on the field and to spread them out and try to distribute the ball to everybody. That means a lot of people can contribute to it. As far as the quarterbacks, it gives us a chance to really showcase our arms and ability to throw the ball a lot.

Question: It sounds like you feel this approach fits your abilities as a quarterback and playmaker.
Sewell: Yes, but it is not just a passing offense. In order for us to make it go, we have to be able to run the ball as well, regardless of who is at quarterback or what back is playing. I think it really fits me perfectly with the things I am able to do with my abilities.

Question: Have you ever played in a no huddle offense?
Sewell: Never.

Question: What types of adjustments come with the no huddle?
Sewell: It’s fast paced. That’s the biggest thing. It is so fast, you really have to get the calls down. We (the quarterbacks) have no wristband (with plays) and we get every call from the sidelines. You really have to understand each signal. Some of the signals can be very confusing. But, once you get that down and get the tempo of the game down, it is not that much different than a normal offense.

Question: Do you feel this offense, and not using a huddle, makes it more difficult for a defense?
Sewell: It definitely makes it harder on them. Without them being able to substitute, if we have a long drive, a 12- or 13-play drive down the field, and they want to substitute and play nickel or dime or whatever package they want to bring in, they may not be able to do so because we are right back on the ball and running the next play. I would say most defenses are probably at a slight disadvantage.

Question: Two years ago when Virginia faced Wyoming, they went with a no huddle offense. Is this similar?
Sewell: There’s was to pretty much get up to the line and stand in formation and see where the defense is lined up and then to call the play. Ours is more set what the play call is. I think we’ll be a little more fast paced than that. We are not going to take as much time. We might snap the ball with 25 seconds left on the play clock.

Question: The change of the clock rules several years ago resulted in less plays per game. Do you like the fact the pace of this offense might allow you to run more plays than a typical offense that includes a huddle?
Sewell: All it is going to do is help us. The more time we are on the field the better chance we have of winning. As long as the defense does their job, which here they usually do, it should be an advantage for us.

Question: Talk about some of the up-and-coming players on the offense. Who has impressed you?
Sewell: As far as the young guys, the player who sticks out to me is Torrey Mack at running back. He catches the ball well out of the backfield and he runs good routes. When he knows what to do, each and every time, he makes a big impact on that play. Guys like Kris Burd and Javaris Brown. All the wide outs are coming through and stepping up and making plays; doing what they’re supposed to do. Guys like Matt Snyder have grown so much this year. He’s out there blocking, pancake blocking guys, making catches way over his head and things like that. Pretty much all of the guys surprise me and are making the change to this offense pretty well.

Question: How beneficial is it to have four linemen return on the offensive front? They are all veteran players. Does that help them adapt to a new offense?
Sewell: As far as the offensive line is concerned, it is not really too different for them. There are a couple of different blocking schemes, but passing wise, schematically the protections are about the same. That’s an advantage for them. Those guys are also smart and whatever the coaches throw at them they grasp it and go with it.

Question: Describe your first meeting with new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon. What were your impressions?
Sewell: He’s an offensive Coach Groh. He’ll say, ‘Make sure your foot is a half-inch closer here’ or ‘Make sure your hand is right here.’ He’s very detailed. He’s very intelligent. He has a lot of experience. I like it. For me, I need to focus more on the little things. I feel like I have a lot of ability, but I need to polish up on all those little things to let me get the most out of my ability and help me shine to my full potential.

Question: Being out of school last year, how excited were you to get back out on the field this spring?
Sewell: I don’t know how to really explain it. When it was taken away from me, when I failed to do what I had to do, it was like a newborn baby being taken away from its mother. That’s how I felt. It was a real disconnect. I still talked to the guys, but not being able to compete and be out there with them, it hurt. Being able to get back out there, it was like getting a lifeline back. It was like getting a part of me back. This is a huge part of my life and I needed it.

Question: One of the things you did last fall was to help coach a local high school football program. How was that experience?
Sewell: Being on the other side of the ball is crazy. Coaching is stressful. It was fun and I had a great experience. I’m glad I was able to do it. It helped me really see things from a coaches’ point of view and how players act and how you have to go about coaching a certain person. Every person is different and you have to coach them differently. Some people you need to scream at a little and others you have to pull them to the side and just talk to them.

Question: So you have a new appreciation for your coaches after that experience?
Sewell: Most definitely.

 

 

 

Cavs, Jackets play to draw
By The Daily Progress Staff
Published: April 13, 2009

In Atlanta, a wild series that provided numerous unimaginable events went a step further Sunday.

In kiss-your-sister mode, Virginia and Georgia Tech completed the final game of the three-game set with a 4-4 tie at Russ Chandler Stadium after playing nine full innings.

Per ACC curfew rules, which were based on the departure time of a commercial flight back to Charlottesville, the teams were unable to start an inning after 4:15 p.m.. That became an issue — and a dreadful reality — in regulation after the Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets shuffled relievers during the late innings of the seesaw affair.

With the tie, No. 18 Virginia stands at 28-7-1 overall and at 9-6-1 in the ACC. Georgia Tech, ranked eighth in the country, is 21-8-1 overall and 10-5-1 in the league.

“Whether we won, lost or tied the final game, we played good baseball this weekend,” Virginia coach Brian O’Connor said. “We faced one of the nation’s best teams on the road and we did not lose the series. We could have been better at times, but our young team performed under pressure.

“It is unfortunate how it unfolded with the time limit but that is what you deal with on a Sunday in this league.”

Virginia had a chance to walk away with the series. The Cavaliers also had a chance to leave losers.

Leading 3-2 in the eighth, Virginia reliever Neal Davis allowed a two-run double to Tony Plagman that snuck over the head of Cavalier left fielder David Coleman.

As was the case throughout the series, the contest offered ninth-inning fireworks.

With nobody out in the final frame, Virginia catcher Franco Valdes delivered a single to right field that plated Tyler Cannon with the game-tying run.

Later in the inning after the Cavaliers had loaded the bases with just one out recorded, Georgia Tech reliever Kevin Jacob struck out Phil Gosselin and forced Danny Hultzen to fly out to escape the jam.

Georgia Tech’s bullpen was unable to do that Saturday night — the Cavaliers scored six runs in the final frame to register an 11-10 victory.

Virginia’s tie spoiled the career-best performance from spot starter Robert Morey. The right-handed sophomore hurled 5.2 innings and allowed just three hits and two earned runs. It was the longest outing in a league game in Morey’s career.

“Robert has the best stuff of anybody on our team,” said O’Connor, noting that Morey walked only one batter. “Today, he was consistent and he threw strikes. It was a great performance from a player that we will lean on in the final weeks of the season.”

Based on the weekend’s action, Virginia maintains the fourth-best winning percentage in the league. Luckily for the Cavaliers, they face only one team that boasts a winning record over the final four weekends of the season.

Virginia will face Coastal Carolina on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

 

 

 

No. 11 Virginia Ties No. 8 Georgia Tech, 4-4
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 04/12/2009

ATLANTA – Franco Valdes (Jr., Miami, Fla.) hit the game-tying single in the top of the ninth inning as the No. 11 Virginia baseball team finished in a 4-4 tie with No. 8 Georgia Tech Sunday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium. The game was called after nine innings because of ACC travel policy.

The tie is Virginia’s first since a 14-14 deadlock with Old Dominion on Feb. 16, 2000. It was Georgia Tech’s first tie since March 27, 1985.

It was a fitting end to a close series. All three contests were decided in the ninth inning. In the first game Saturday, Georgia Tech scored a run to break a 6-6 tie and win 7-6. In the second game, UVa rallied from a 10-5 ninth-inning deficit to score six times and pull out an 11-10 win.

Dan Grovatt (So., Tabernacle, N.J.) had three hits and an RBI for Virginia, who finished with 10 hits. Three of Virginia’s four runs came on two-out hits.

Both starting pitchers were impressive. Virginia’s Robert Morey (So., Virginia Beach, Va.), making his first career start, pitched a career-high 5.2 innings. He allowed just two earned runs, three hits and a walk while striking out four. Georgia Tech starter Brandon Cumpton was strong as well, going seven innings and striking out nine. He allowed three earned runs, six hits and a walk.

The ninth inning again served as the game’s focal point. Tyler Cannon (Jr., Pigeon Forge, Tenn.) led off with a walk and stole second. He moved to third when John Hicks (Fr., Sandy Hook, Va.) hit a line drive off the leg of pitcher Andrew Robinson for a single. Valdes then dropped a single to right field to tie the score. UVa loaded the bases with one out, but Georgia Tech reliever Kevin Jacob came on to strike out Phil Gosselin (So., West Chester, Pa.) on a check swing and get Danny Hultzen (Fr., Bethesda, Md.) to fly out to end the threat.

Kevin Arico (So., Flemington, N.J.) kept the Yellow Jackets at bay by pitching a perfect ninth inning. He tossed 1.1 innings total and struck out three.

After three scoreless innings to start the game, Virginia (28-7-1, 9-6-1 ACC) broke the stalemate with a run in the fourth. With one out, Gosselin recorded the Cavaliers’ first hit of the day – a single to right field. He then stole second and, with two out, scored on a single to center by Grovatt.

Georgia Tech (21-8-1, 10-5-1) countered with a run of its own in the fourth. Derek Dietrich walked with one out, then stole second and advanced to third when the throw from Valdes at catcher bounced into center field. Dietrich scored on a single by Luke Murton.

The Cavaliers came right back with a run in the fifth inning. Cannon singled and advanced on a Valdes groundout. He scored on a single to right-center by David Coleman (So., Richmond, Va.).

UVa doubled its lead in the sixth inning, as Hulzen walked with two out, moved to third on a Grovatt single to right and scored when Steven Proscia (Fr., Suffern, N.Y.) singled to right.

Georgia Tech cut the lead half in its portion of the sixth. Jeff Rowland tripled to lead off, but Morey rebounded to get Dietrich to line out and strike out Jason Haniger looking. Matt Packer (Jr., Germantown, Tenn.) came on in relief and gave up a single to Tony Plagman to score Rowland.

The Yellow Jackets took their first lead in the eighth inning against UVa reliever Neal Davis (Jr., Baltimore, Md.). After walks to Rowland and Haniger, Plagman stepped up with two out and hit a line drive which went over the head of Coleman in left field for a double.

Virginia returns home to Davenport Field for two games next week. Tuesday, the Cavaliers will battle No. 19 Coastal Carolina at 5 p.m. UVa then plays Radford at 7 p.m. Wednesday before traveling to Boston College next weekend.