German steps up as U.Va.'s kicker
Reyering will make first football start against the Trojans
Monday, Aug 25, 2008 - 12:08 AM Updated: 07:25 AM
By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTESVILLE Saturday will be a day of firsts for Yannick Reyering (pronounced Yohn-nik Ry-uh-ring).The 6-5, 205-pound native of Ibbenbueren, Germany, never has played in an American football game, let alone performed before 60,000-plus fans.

"I think about that every day," Reyering, 24, said. "The first couple times on the way to practice, I always drove by Scott Stadium, and every morning I looked to my right and saw that empty stadium and thought about how it would feel the first game against USC in front of 60,000. That really gives you motivation to work as hard as you can."

Reyering's fourth year at the University of Virginia begins tomorrow. Four days later, U.Va.'s football team opens against fourth-ranked Southern California at sold-out Scott Stadium. This time last year, Reyering was an all-ACC soccer player. Now he's preparing to handle kickoffs, field goals and extra points against the mighty Trojans.

Groh announced last week that Reyering had edged redshirt freshman Chris Hinkebein and true freshman Robert Randolph for the starting job.

"It doesn't surprise me," Virginia men's soccer coach George Gelnovatch said yesterday. "I've never coached or kicked field goals, but I imagine some of it ties in to what he's pretty good at.

"He took our penalty goals. That's a high-pressure situation, with everybody watching, you against the goalkeeper, a lot at stake. He's used to that kind of pressure. He also technically strikes a ball as good as anybody I've ever seen. On top of that, he's got great leverage. He's 6-5. The other part is, he's a mentally tough kid. He likes that pressure."

In three seasons on Gelnovatch's team, Reyering scored 39 goals and was named to the all-ACC first team twice and the second team once. But he tore his left ACL in November and would not have been able to go through training camp this year with FC Dallas, which in January picked Reyering in the second round of Major League Soccer's supplemental draft.

So Gelnovatch, after talking to an administrator in Groh's program, suggested that Reyering return to school, rehab and, when his knee was strong enough to plant, try kicking a football. The idea piqued the interest of Reyering, who'd fallen for the American game after arriving at U.Va. in 2005.

"Obviously, football is the biggest sport in the U.S. and everybody was watching it, so I got into it and started really enjoying it," said Reyering, whose English is flawless.

He'd never kicked a ball that wasn't round, but in late April -- after spring practice had ended at U.Va. -- Reyering began his workouts, usually by himself. He found he liked it and happily accepted an invitation to join the football team this summer.

"He was interested and we were interested, so it was easy to say, 'Let's go,'" recalled Groh, whose kicker last season, Chris Gould, was a senior.

Depending on how this season goes -- and how much he misses soccer -- Reyering might be at U.Va. next year, too. While in high school, he played three games for a pro soccer team in Germany. He wasn't paid for his appearances, but the NCAA penalized Reyering a year of soccer eligibility, so 2007 was his final season in that sport at U.Va.

In football? The roster lists Reyering as a senior, and he said recently that he has only one season of football eligibility. But U.Va. officials have determined that Reyering in fact has two seasons of football eligibility left, which means he could be back in 2009.

For now, he's focused on the season ahead and enjoying the experience -- even if Andrea Reyering, back in Germany, doesn't share his enthusiasm.

"My mom is really scared," the blond-haired Reyering said, smiling. "She tells me every day, 'Be careful. Don't try to get hit. Take care of yourself,' and she calls me every day. But she loves to see me happy."

 

New U.Va. defensive coordinator a good fit
By Ed Miller
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 26, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE

Holding court on the Scott Stadium pergola at Virginia's media day, defensive coordinator Bob Pruett was the picture of late-career contentment.

At 65, Pruett was lured out of a three-year retirement by head coach Al Groh, a friend of more than 30 years. Pruett returned to a state where his roots date to 1965, to a job at a university where he once dreamed of coaching.

He inherited a defense that has been one of the ACC's best in recent years. On the recruiting trail, his old ties in Hampton Roads have already paid dividends, with three commitments from players from the 757 area code for next season.

"I feel blessed to be here," Pruett said. "I feel blessed to be working. I'm really excited. I'm having a lot of fun."

The feel-good story of a coach rejuvenated in the autumn of his career was interrupted last week by allegations from Pruett's time as head coach at Marshall University. Sworn affidavits in a civil lawsuit filed by the school's former compliance director, David Ridpath, tied Pruett to an academic scandal and jobs program that drew sanctions from the NCAA.

In a conference call with reporters last week - the only time since media day Pruett was available for an interview - he said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit.

"Hopefully, one day you'll get your day in court and see what happens," Pruett said.

Pruett gave a sworn deposition in May in which he "vigorously" denied the allegations that he helped rig grades and that he was involved in a summer jobs program in which incoming players were paid $25 an hour but were forced to sign statements indicating they made $12.50. The NCAA penalized Marshall for academic fraud and lack of institutional control in 2001, although Pruett was not named in the report.

One player who gave an affidavit has since recanted his statements. For his part, Groh called the allegations a "dated issue" that he was aware of before Pruett was hired.

"We're comfortable with the situation as we know it to be," Groh said. "It's an annoyance to him, but not a distraction."

It remains to be seen how much of a distraction, if any, the case will be to Virginia. It is scheduled for trial later in the year.

Pruett is best known for his success at Marshall, where he coached future NFL players Randy Moss, Chad Pennington, and Byron Leftwich, among others, and where Pruett won a Division I-AA national title in 1996. He retired in 2004, after nine years at his alma mater.

Pruett said he had several offers to return to coaching, but none fit as well as Virginia. Pruett met Groh in the 1970s, when Pruett was a high school coach in Northern Virginia, and Groh was recruiting the area for North Carolina. He joined Groh's staff at Wake Forest as defensive backs coach in 1983.

"It was just the right fit, knowing Al and knowing as much as I do about the state and the university," Pruett said.

Pruett certainly didn't need a road map to find his way to Hampton Roads. His Gar-Field High team played Hampton for the state title in 1977. He coached in the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-star game three times and also ran the state wrestling tournament three times. Even at Marshall, he had success recruiting the area.

It was only natural, then, that Pruett would recruit Hampton Roads for Virginia. Since arriving in February, he has picked up commitments from three players: Oscar Smith defensive back Perry Jones; Maury receiver/defensive back LaRoy Reynolds and Phoebus safety LoVante' Battle.

"He's a real laid-back coach," Reynolds said. "It was a boost to me to know he'd recruited guys like Randy Moss and Byron Leftwich, as well as other guys from this area."

Pruett does indeed come across as laid-back, with his easy smile and southern West Virginia drawl. But he found retirement to be a little too slow. He has happily traded it for workdays that start at 6 a.m. and can end at midnight.

"I'm almost like a 30-year-old coach," he said. "I'm bouncing around here, light on my feet, trying to do some good."

Though his title is defensive coordinator, Pruett has spent much of his time working with the secondary. He has not overseen a 3-4 defensive scheme and is still familiarizing himself with it. He does not plan any major changes.

"They've played pretty good defense around here for a long time," he said.

Linebacker Clint Sintim said Pruett's style is a change from former coordinator Mike London, who became the University of Richmond's head coach. London is fiery type who would sometimes chest bump players as they ran off the field.

Pruett's track record gave him instant credibility, Sintim said.

"He's definitely one of those guys you really can't help but respect," Sintim said. "Everything he says, we really soak it up like a sponge."

As for Pruett's game-day demeanor, Sintim said he'll be curious to see how much bounce the veteran coach really has.

"The season hasn't started yet," he said. "We'll see if he does a back flip or a chest bump."

 

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez appears ready to go
Ric Francis / Associated Press
USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, shown last week in passing drills, went through Monday's workout with the big brace still on his left knee.
The junior participates in his first full practice since dislocating his left kneecap on Aug. 8.
By Gary Klein and David Wharton, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
August 26, 2008

Mark Sanchez's left knee appears sound. So does his right arm.

But after his first full practice in 17 days, it was evident Monday that Sanchez's conditioning could be a factor when the Trojans play their opener at Virginia on Saturday.

"He's not way out of shape, but he's not in his best shape and so we have to just be careful with him," Coach Pete Carroll said. "I would tend more to underwork him than overwork him."

Sanchez reached another rehabilitation milestone, practicing in cleats for the first time since dislocating his left kneecap Aug. 8.

An examination by a team physician after tonight's practice is expected to be the final checkpoint for Sanchez on his way to the starting lineup against the Cavaliers.


"I can't see any reason why he wouldn't play," Carroll said.

However, he said it might take three to four weeks for Sanchez to "feel great again," in terms of conditioning.

Sanchez looked comfortable directing the offense as the Trojans began game-week preparations for Virginia.

"We've really narrowed down what we want to get accomplished in this game plan and that helps from a quarterback's standpoint," he said. "Less to study and less to remember."

Ready to go

Josh Pinkard missed nearly all of the last two seasons because of knee injuries, but he could start the opener for the second time in three years if Shareece Wright's condition does not improve.

Wright sat out most of practice again because of what he described as lingering abdominal pain. The condition had nearly prevented him from walking Sunday.

Asked if he would play against Virginia, Wright said, "It's up in the air -- it's up to how much they let me go. If I don't practice, I'm not going to play."

Pinkard is content to let the situation play out.

"You've got to be patient," he said. "That's what I've learned from the things I've been through. When you're patient, everything falls into place. When you try to rush things, that's when it falls apart."

Back to school

Freshmen who concentrated solely on surviving training camp and preparing for Virginia the last three weeks got a dose of reality as fall semester classes began.

Most of the first-year players took summer session classes to help with the transition, but the demands of blending school and football still can be overwhelming at times for newcomers.

"Obviously, the first couple weeks I'm going to be dead tired," freshman defensive end Wes Horton said.

Safety Drew McAllister said he was looking forward to the challenge.

"Sometimes I have school after practice too, so it's definitely going to be a big-time management thing to stay ahead," he said. "But you can't get caught behind."

Quick kicks

Linebacker Brian Cushing wore a cast on his sprained left wrist but said he was fine and that he would remove the cast and replace it with a brace against Virginia. . . . Tailback C.J. Gable (hip) remained on track to play in the opener, breaking off perhaps the most impressive run of the day. . . . Linebacker Luthur Brown (back) practiced, providing the Trojans with hope of some depth at linebacker.
 

Virginia Preview
By Lyle Everett
SCPlaybook Contributor
Posted Aug 25, 2008


The Virginia Cavaliers return five starters on each side of the ball from last year's 9-4 squad. Reigning ACC Coach of the Year Al Groh is looking to ride the momentum and continue to ascend in the national rankings. Look inside for a preview of the 2008 Virginia Cavaliers.

Coaching
Two-time ACC Coach of the Year (2002, 2007) Al Groh enters his eighth season as the Virginia Cavaliers head coach. A protégé of Bill Parcells and having coached with Bill Belichick in the NFL, Groh’s reign at his alma mater has been somewhat tumultuous. In fact, many around the Charlottesville area thought Groh would be dismissed following a 5-7 2006 season. Yet as he’s done throughout his career when faced with similar adversity, Groh responded with a 9-4 record for 2007, exceeding the expectations set by naysayers along the way. Groh is 77-77 as a collegiate head coach, 51-37 while at UVA.

Former Marshall University head coach Bob Pruett (1996-2004) takes over as defensive coordinator under Groh in 2008. Groh’s son, Mike, doubles as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wahoos.

Offense

The Cavalier quarterback situation is still up for grabs in a battle between sophomore Peter Lalich and fifth-year senior Scott Deke (Loyola HS). Last year’s starter, Jameel Sewell, was dismissed in the spring due to academic reasons. The loss of Sewell is a major blow, as UVA relied heavily on his ability to create outside the pocket. With only two returning starters on this year’s offensive line, the incumbent may have to have his head on a swivel. Lalich saw some time early last season, completing 35 of 61 passes (57%) for 321 yards, which would seemingly make him the frontrunner, but his lack of mobility and athleticism has left the door open for Deke to walk through. Groh is expected to stay quiet regarding the announcement of his starter, but it would not be a surprise to see both QB’s log time against the Trojans.


Virginia OT Eugene Monroe

What the Cavs lack in stability at quarterback, they more than make up for at the running back position. Senior Cedric Peerman (113 carries, 585 yards, 5 TDs) missed the second half of last season due to injury, but replacement Mikell Simpson made up for his absence by running for 570 yards and eight touchdowns on 113 carries. Both averaged right around five yards per carry last year and are expected to split time to form a two-headed backfield monster.

2007 was a year to forget for wide receiver Kevin Ogletree. After an honorable mention All-ACC season in 2006, Ogletree tore his ACL and was forced to miss the entire 2007 season. His return should give this unit a much needed boost going into 2008, with Maurice Covington (6’4”, 225 lbs) starting opposite Ogletree in the pro-style attack.

Last year’s Cav passing game suffered from an overall lack of production from their receivers, which forced Groh to employ a double tight-end attack. Capitalizing on valuable experience gained last year (8 starts) will be John Phillips, a 6’6”, 260 pound target. Groh and his staff are very high on Phillips, who could quickly become the best friend of whoever becomes the regular UVA quarterback. Phillips was named team captain early in fall camp.

Virginia returns two solid tackles on the offensive line, but must replace all three starting interior linemen. Outland Trophy Candidate Eugene Monroe (6’6”, 320 lbs) anchors the line from his left tackle position and Will Barker starts at RT, but depth beyond these two is a major concern. If Monroe can elevate his game to the level set on the left side before him (D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Branden Albert), it could spark a fire that spreads to the rest of the group.

Defense

Virginia played very good defense for most of the 2007 season, but losing All-American Chris Long to graduation could make it tough for them to repeat such a performance. The Hoos play an aggressive pro style 3-4 defense and anytime you employ the 3-4, your defensive line better be rock solid. Unfortunately for UVA, this year’s team may be lacking in that category. Only junior nose guard Nate Collins saw any real playing time last year, making the unit very inexperienced overall. However, those who follow UVA football suggest keeping an eye on DE Matt Conrath, a 6’7”, 270 pound redshirt freshman who made a one-handed interception during the spring game that reminded many observers in the stands of the kind of stand-out plays Long used to make.


Virginia LB Clint Sintim

The Cavalier linebacking group is the strength of the defense. Three of four starters from last year’s squad are back, including leading tackler Jon Copper (109 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FF) and senior Antonio Appleby (60 tackles, 2 sacks) on the inside. Senior OLB and pass rushing specialist Clint Sintim led LB’s in sacks last year nationally with nine and his presence will be felt all over the field. Sintim is a pre-season candidate for the Bronco Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player.

The secondary welcomes the return of two starters in CB Vic Hall and FS Byron Glaspy, but UVA coaches have been raving about the athleticism and talent of sophomore Ras-I Dowling (6’2”, 200 lbs). Dowling has unlimited potential and appears to be the game breaker every team in the nation covets. Hall is undersized at 5’9”, but is the most experienced DB on the roster and serves as the Cav’s punt returner. Glaspy, a former walk-on, recorded 71 tackles last year and is the “rock” of the defensive secondary, providing leadership for the entire defense.

Special Teams

Expected starting placekicker Chris Hinkebein’s shaky spring led the coaching staff to seek out Yannick Reyering, a German national who led UVA’s soccer team in goals each of the past three seasons. It will be interesting to see if Reyering’s soccer style translates to kicking on the gridiron, assuming he is given the opportunity in the season’s first game.

Notes

The University of Virginia was established in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson…Scott Stadium holds 61,500 fans (63,701 at capacity) and is known as one of the most beautiful and best places in the nation to watch college football…While oddsmakers opened them a 17-point road favorite, some currently have the Trojans as high as 20 point favorites…There is a chance for scattered thunderstorms in Charlottesville for Saturday’s game, with an expected high of 83 degrees…


 

Singletary traded to Phoenix
Staff and wire reports
10:00 PM EDT, August 25, 2008

Former Virginia guard Sean Singletary was traded by the Houston Rockets to the Phoenix Suns for former Maryland guard D.J. Strawberry.

"Sean gives us depth at the point guard spot," Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. "We like his instincts and his ability to run a team. He also puts a lot of pressure on the ball."

Singletary was the 42nd overall pick in the 2008 draft by the Sacramento Kings, who quickly sent him along with Patrick Ewing Jr. and Ron Artest to Houston in exchange for Bobby Jackson, Donte Greene and a 2009 first-round draft pick.

The 6-foot guard was a member of the Kings' Las Vegas Summer League team, where he averaged 5.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists playing in each of the club's five games.

A four-year standout at Virginia, Singletary was a three-time All-ACC selection who led his team in scoring with 19.8 points per game last season. He was the lone Division I player to rank in the top 40 in both scoring and assists.

Strawberry was the 59th overall pick by the Suns in the 2007 draft, and averaged 2.2 points in 33 games last season.