U.VA. Notes: Freshman LB enters the mix
Wednesday, Sep 03, 2008 - 12:07 AM Updated: 09:28 AM

Freshman LB enters the mix
Asked last month about first-year linebacker Cameron Johnson, Virginia's new defensive coordinator, Bob Pruett, couldn't contain his enthusiasm.

"I think his future and our future with him is so bright we have to wear sunglasses," Pruett told reporters. "He's got a chance to be a very, very good football player."

U.Va. coach Al Groh had hoped to redshirt Johnson, but now, with senior Aaron Clark lost for the season, those plans have changed. On the depth chart released Monday night, Johnson is listed as junior Denzel Burrell's backup at one of the outside-linebacker spots in the Cavaliers' 3-4 defense.

Clark, who is expected to receive a medical redshirt and return next year, tore his right ACL early in the third quarter Saturday in the opener against Southern California.

Against USC, Virginia played two true freshmen: punter Jimmy Howell and, on special teams, offensive guard Austin Pasztor. Two of their classmates could make their college debuts this weekend against Richmond: Johnson and inside linebacker Steve Greer.

Johnson, who's listed at 6-4, 220 pounds, is perhaps the most talented player in U.Va.'s freshman class. At Gonzaga High in Washington, he was a basketball star and played wide receiver and safety in football, so he's new to his position. But Johnson already has passed redshirt freshman Aaron Taliaferro on the depth chart.

"He's got size, he's got athletic ability, he seems to grasp things fairly quickly, but he's only been here four weeks and hasn't been in too much action," Groh said. "We'll see what we see."

League of their own
As an assistant or head coach, Groh has spent nearly 30 seasons in college football. He won't soon forget the Trojans, who ripped his Cavaliers 52-7 at Scott Stadium.

"That's physically the best-looking college football team I've ever seen in terms of size, speed and athletic ability," Groh said Monday night on his radio show.

No QB drama
At this time last week, people outside the U.Va. program were wondering which of the three candidates - sophomore Peter Lalich, sophomore Marc Verica or graduate student Scott Deke - would start at quarterback against USC.

Not until game day did it become clear that Lalich was the guy. Heading into the UR game, however, there's no such uncertainty, inside or outside the program. And that's good for the offense, senior wide receiver Cary Koch said yesterday.

"Throughout preseason camp we were having a new quarterback every other series," Koch said, "and to get that mesh within the huddle, you need to have the one quarterback who's going to lead us. It's easier now to know that Peter's the starter."

Change on corner
Sophomore Ras-I Dowling, expected to be one of Virginia's starting cornerbacks this season, missed the USC game with a leg injury, and his status for this weekend isn't clear.

Redshirt freshman Chase Minnifield started in Dowling's place against the Trojans and struggled in his first college game. Sophomore Mike Parker is listed ahead of Minnifield this week and is expected to start against UR.

Minnifield's father, Frank, was a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Cleveland Browns. So Minnifield grew up knowing that the life of a corner isn't always easy.

Groh said he offered words of encouragement to the younger Minnifield, but "I think Frank got to him long before we had the opportunity to." - Jeff White

 

London back as foe in Charlottesville
Richmond's new coach spent six seasons with Virginia.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

From the time Mike London joined Al Groh's first Virginia coaching staff in 2001, the Cavaliers knew there was one coaching position that invariably would catch his eye.

It wasn't the Houston Texans' defensive-line job, although London did take a one-year detour to the NFL in 2005.

If there was a position for which London was a no-brainer, it was the head coaching spot at his alma mater, the University of Richmond. The only problem was the Spiders had a young, successful head coach in Dave Clawson.

London was one of the finalists when Richmond hired Clawson after the 2003 season.

"When the position was open previously and Dave Clawson was given the job, I remember we had a conversation that went something to the effect of: 'We'll make sure, the next time this opens up, you get the job,'" Groh said..

That's what happened last January, not that the NFL stopover had anything to do with it.

London didn't last long in Houston, where head coach Dom Capers was fired after the 2005 season, but it set in motion a chain of events that left him as the obvious choice when Richmond found itself in the market for a head coach.

Capers' departure coincided with the resignation of then-UVa defensive coordinator Al Golden, who was hired as head coach by Temple. London, who previously had coached the Cavaliers' defensive line, was an obvious choice to replace him.

London knew that Groh was very hands-on with Virginia's defense but was comfortable with the arrangement, particularly since it gave him the one item his resume had lacked, a coordinator's title.

He had been back at UVa for one season when Old Dominion targeted him to revive its program, but he eventually removed his name from consideration. The second year, he could not say 'no" to Richmond.

The Spiders' job had come open when Clawson had made the reverse move, forsaking a Division I-AA head-coaching job for the offensive coordinator's post at I-A Tennessee.

Clawson had seen in his efforts to get involved at Duke and with other I-A openings that I-AA head coaches were not in great demand. Clawson might be in line for a I-A head-coaching job at some point, but at 48, he couldn't wait.

The Cavaliers were coming off a 9-4 season and the transition following London's exit should have gone smoothly, but that was during the period when academics and other issues were claiming UVa underclassmen on an almost daily basis.

One of the players who was leaning on London was marquee defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who eventually was dismissed from school. Two UVa recruits who had committed to London ended up signing with other schools.

"That was hard," London said Wednesday. "There's never a good time to leave. You struggle because you've been in these [recruits'] homes and you've told them you'll take care of their sons. And also you're looking at fulfilling your lifelong dream, an opportunity that doesn't come around too much."

London said the ink was barely dry on his contract when his wife pointed out that the Spiders would be playing at Virginia this Saturday in the second game of the season. She said to make sure he had enough tickets for family.

"It already was in the back of my mind," he said. "We're going to play Virginia this year and even a couple of years from now. It's going to be one of those deals where we play them and the Vanderbilts and the Dukes of the world."

Four of Groh's former UVa assistants are now head coaches at the I-A or I-AA level, but London is the first one he has faced. Groh, who spoke to London before their respective openers, said he would rather not play against one of his former aides.

One reason that the Houston Texans liked London was his background in the 3-4 defense, and Groh felt that London's work in Capers' 3-4 would benefit the Cavaliers. However, Richmond did not use a 3-4 in its opener last Saturday, when it beat host Elon 28-10.

"Coming in, obviously, I had some ideas," London said. "At times, the schemes they ran last year were very successful. The first game, we didn't have a need for [the 3-4]."

Based on a 52-7 loss to Southern California, Virginia could be vulnerable against a Richmond team that won 11 games last year and is ranked No. 3 in Division I-AA.

"I was a recruiting coordinator [at Virginia] and you'd evaluate kids and say, 'Oh, that's a four-star,' or 'He's a five-star,'" London said. "I asked my guys the other day, 'How many of you were one-stars?' Half of them. I said, 'How many of you were zero stars?' The other half raised their hands.

"My focus and the players' focus is, 'No, we weren't recruited by them,' or, 'I was on their long list,' but now we've got an opportunity to compete against them."
 

Pumping up the volume
UR's London uses loud music to mimic U.Va. environment
Thursday, Sep 04, 2008 - 12:07 AM
By JOHN O'CONNOR
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

The music blasting from the University of Richmond's First Market Stadium Tuesday afternoon could be heard a quarter-mile away.

Mike London celebrating a personal homecoming early? Sort of.

London, UR's first-year coach, requested that music play at high volume during the Spiders' practice, but not for entertainment purposes. He wants his players and staff members to acclimate themselves to football operation in an environment much louder than that which they ordinarily experience.

London has a good feel for what the Spiders (1-0), ranked third in the Football Championship Subdivision, will deal with Saturday at the University of Virginia (0-1). He spent six years as a Cavaliers' assistant coach. London was U.Va.'s defensive coordinator during the last two seasons, and recruiting coordinator 2002-04.

"It will be different, but whether it's 10,000 or 60,000, if you're concentrating on the task at hand, all that matters is what goes on between the white lines," said London, whose team opened last Saturday night with a 28-10 win before 10,847 at Elon. "We have a 100-yard field at UR Stadium. Elon had a 100-yard field. [Virginia] will have a 100-yard field."

Business as usual, regardless of opponent or venue, is the message London wants his Spiders to hear over the practice music. But for him, it isn't business as usual.

"I know the [U.Va.] staff well. I know the players well," London said. "I have to try to separate the emotional part of it . . . Every game is an important game, but I'm only human."

He believes an advantage UR might have related to his U.Va. background is his knowledge of the Cavaliers' personnel. Otherwise, "Quite possibly, the [Virginia] game plan will be somewhat different from what everyone expects, including myself," London said.

Richmond fans began learning about London at Elon, and what's not to like so far? The Spiders on the road overpowered a team that was ranked 15th in the FCS. Their offense showed big-play capability -- 80-yard touchdown pass, 72-yard scoring run -- and their defense limited the Phoenix to 22 rushing yards.

London exhibited the energy for which he is known in many ways, most notably by chasing Eric Ward after he was run out of bounds near UR's bench area following a productive scramble. London, 47, went airborne to chest-bump his junior quarterback.

London also began a new tradition. Two Spiders unfurled American and Virginia flags, raising them through the post-game handshake lines and as UR's players and coaches proceeded to their locker room.

"In this time, with what's going on overseas and what's going on here at home, I just thought it was applicable for us to carry the American flag and also the state flag," London said. "We're going to continue that."

 

ACC NOTES
Thursday, Sep 04, 2008 - 12:07 AM

ACC takes a beating; coaches urge caution
The opening week of the season was, to put it kindly, a disaster for ACC football.

Alabama destroyed Clemson, the preseason pick to win the ACC, on national television. Virginia Tech, the Coastal Division favorite, lost to East Carolina. Southern California obliterated Virginia, South Carolina pummeled N.C. State, North Carolina struggled to beat McNeese State, and Maryland narrowly defeated Delaware.

The Associated Press' latest Top 25 includes only one ACC team: No. 20 Wake Forest. Clemson (No. 9 last week) and Virginia Tech (No. 17) dropped out.

"I've got so many problems here in-house that I surely can't worry about the national reputation of the ACC," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said yesterday.

Wake coach Jim Grobe, like many of his peers, said it's dangerous to read too much into one week's results.

"A lot of the schools that got hammered a little bit this past week were playing teams that nobody else wants to play," Grobe said.

"The reality is we've played one football game. And some of the teams that have lost one football game know that they've got a whole season left to make up for it."

In 2007, Grobe pointed out, Wake lost its first two games. The Demon Deacons finished 9-4.

N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien said: "Obviously, we took some hits this weekend. We didn't win games that would have certainly helped advance the ACC. But it's the first game of the year."

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden agreed. "Don't base history on what happened the first week of the season."

'Canes on big stage
Come Saturday night, when Miami (1-0) takes on fifth-ranked Florida (1-0), another ACC team will get an opportunity to help restore some of the conference's luster.

Not so long ago, these programs were considered equals. But Miami went 7-6 in 2006 and then dropped to 5-7 last season, its first under coach Randy Shannon. And now there's a good chance that the Gators not only will win Saturday night, but win big.

"They've got a lot of speed and a lot of talent," Shannon said. "It's an opportunity for us to see where we're at as a football team."

And if the Hurricanes could pull off the upset?

"It'd be a start for the University of Miami if we were able to beat such a great team like Florida," Shannon said, "and it'd be a start for the ACC conference."

Familiar faces on U.Va., UR sidelines
U.Va. (0-1) hosts Division I-AA Richmond (1-0) on Saturday in a game that matches coaching staffs with lots of connections.

Not only is UR coach Mike London a former U.Va. defensive coordinator, but three of his assistants Vincent Brown, Byron Thweatt and Bill Polin were graduate assistants at U.Va. under Al Groh.

Groh said it's not easy to see talented graduate assistants leave for other programs, but promoting them at U.Va. isn't always an option.

"Some of those guys, we would like to have them with us, that's why we brought them in in the first place," Groh said. "But just because there's not a spot for them at the the time they're due to move on, doesn't mean that there's not going to be one on another occasion. So those type of outstanding individuals would always probably remain on a short list for us."

Maryland not looking past Middle Tennessee
Maryland (1-0) meets Middle Tennessee (0-1) on Saturday night at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn. That's where U.Va. needed a Chris Gould field goal in the final seconds to beat Middle Tennessee 23-21 last year.

That the Blue Raiders are a capable team is clear to Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and his assistants. "I hope we can get that through to our players," Friedgen said.

Chris Turner will start at quarterback for Maryland against MT. Jordan Steffy, who started the opener, is out indefinitely with a thumb injury, Friedgen said. Ligament in the thumb of Steffy's throwing hand was torn away from the bone.

Playing by the rules
Boston College was not penalized in its 21-0 victory over Kent State last weekend. Not since Nov. 17, 1979, when the Eagles beat Syracuse 27-10 in Ithaca, N.Y., had they gone a whole game without being flagged for a penalty. -- Jeff White

 

Tulane’s cutbacks benefit Virginia
By Andy Bitter
Published: September 4, 2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Hurricane Gustav slammed into the heart of New Orleans earlier this week, hammering a still-battered city that, though nearly 1,000 miles away, remains close to Virginia wide receiver Cary Koch’s heart.
The Baton Rouge, La., native was a freshman at Tulane three years ago when Hurricane Katrina decimated the city and its populace. Told only to pack for a few days at first, the Green Wave ended up being football orphans the rest of the 2005 season, playing 11 games in 11 different stadiums.
“When I went back to New Orleans in the spring, it just wasn’t the same New Orleans that I’d once loved,” Koch said. “It was just so barren. It looked like a Third World country.”
In the aftermath, Tulane scaled back its athletic program. Koch’s major — computer science — was eliminated, opening up the possibility for him to transfer and, with an NCAA waiver, play right away.
Virginia became his choice (his older brother played at nearby Washington and Lee) and while Koch’s impact was not necessarily felt immediately, the senior is making strides this season to play a larger role.
Koch (pronounced “Coke”) started at slot receiver in the opener against USC and caught three passes for 40 yards, modest numbers for sure, but a promising sign for someone who had 10 receptions the previous two years.
“He’s a good, dependable player,” Virginia coach Al Groh said.
It’s the kind of success Koch hoped to have immediately after his transfer. He caught 23 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns his freshman year with the Green Wave, earning freshman all-Conference USA honors. But he has faced repeated hurdles upon arriving in Charlottesville.
His NCAA waiver wasn’t approved until the start of training camp in 2006, forcing him to miss UVa’s spring and summer workout sessions. Injuries — a hamstring his first year and a knee in 2007 — held back his progress, and tight end Tom Santi, a sixth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts last spring, occupied the slot receiver role for the Cavaliers last year.
That spot opened up for Koch just as Virginia made changes to open up its offense. Intrigued by the passing success of Gator Bowl opponent Texas Tech, offensive coordinator Mike Groh reportedly made offseason trips to Texas Tech and BYU, studying up on ways to maximize the Cavaliers’ passing attack.
“(We realized) what they were doing and saw that our offense could utilize someone that we weren’t using,” Koch said. “(The Red Raiders) weren’t using a very mobile quarterback but were getting open with all these schemes that they were running.”
Personnel played a role as well. Though quarterback Peter Lalich doesn’t possess the running skills that Jameel Sewell did, he has a strong arm and a pocket passer’s sense, having played in a spread formation in high school.
The numbers from the USC game, though admittedly a reflection of the lopsided score, still point to an emphasis on the pass.
 

Cavs' backup has starter's support
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
CHARLOTTESVILLE--

Aaron Clark had a simple message for his best friend and University of Virginia teammate Denzel Burrell on Sunday afternoon.

"His words were, 'Go get it now,'" Burrell said. "Those words were big coming from a best friend."

Clark, a senior outside linebacker from Rockbridge High School, had just learned that the knee injury he suffered in the third quarter of the Cavaliers' 52-7 loss to Southern California on Saturday would require season-ending surgery.

He and Burrell were locked in an intense battle for the starting outside linebacker position all offseason, but Clark won out and earned the job.

Burrell, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior from South Orange, N.J., will now get his chance to fill the spot, but when he lines up for Virginia (0-1) on Saturday at Scott Stadium against Richmond (1-0), it won't be the way he envisioned making his first career start.

"We both wanted the spot, but we both were very supportive of the other person and it just [stinks] for him to go down the way he did the first game of the season," Burrell said. "I hate that it happened this way and that I had to step into a starting role because of an injury to him."

Clark's injury was diagnosed as a knee sprain, but it's likely more serious than that.

Burrell knows what it's like to suffer a serious injury early in the season. In 2006, he suffered a torn ACL in the first quarter of the second game of the season against Wyoming, forcing him to miss the remaining 10 games.

"To go out like that was really rough," he said.

Burrell returned last year and appeared in all 13 games, mainly as a key special teams player.

But in spring practice, Burrell showed he was ready for a much bigger role. He won the Rock Weir Award for the Cavaliers' defense, which is given to the most improved player.

Virginia head coach Al Groh said Burrell's knowledge of the game has increased dramatically since he arrived on campus in 2005.

He said Burrell, who was a defensive lineman in high school, has always been intense, but he had a lot to learn because he didn't have a background at linebacker even though his physique suggests he should play the position.

"What changed in the spring was that a lot of the more significant and precise details of the scheme really started to click with him," Groh said. "He went from, 'He flies all over the place, but there's no telling which direction he's going to go,' early in his career to where he recognizes things and he's on them pretty quickly now."

Groh said the program is examining a medical redshirt for Clark, leaving open the possibility of a return next year. Clark has a year of eligibility remaining because he played as a true freshman.

 

Lalich passable in starting debut
By Jay Jenkins
Published: September 3, 2008

Pete Lalich, sporting grass stains on the back of his jersey, strutted off the field smiling.

Somehow, Virginia’s quarterback remained chipper just seconds after being blindsided by a Southern California pass rusher inches from his head.

Lalich said that bone-crushing contact, which was repeated by numerous Trojan defenders, is merely part of the job description.

“If you are scared to take a hit you are not going to play well,” said Lalich after the Cavaliers’ 52-7 loss to USC on Saturday. “If you don’t like that kind of stuff, you are not going to be a good quarterback.”

How good Lalich can become as a collegiate quarterback remains to be seen. In the opener, Lalich completed 18 of 35 passes for 155 yards and had his outing soured by an interception and two fourth-quarter fumbles.

His starting debut, however, drew a passing grade from Virginia coach Al Groh.

“It was certainly a good start for him,” the coach said. “He kept his poise throughout pretty intense pressure. He stepped up, moved in the pocket and made some pretty good throws. He was not rattled by the circumstances.

“Somebody said to me that it looked like Peter was a little anxious moving in the pocket and I said, ‘What is he supposed to do, stand there and get hit?’ He did exactly what he was supposed to do. He moved within the pocket to find the opportunity to throw the ball. He made a couple of excellent throws after doing that.”

Despite the end result, Virginia’s worst season-opening loss since 1984, Lalich has reason to remain optimistic entering Saturday’s in-state clash with Richmond (1-0).

Thanks to some tweaks in the Cavaliers’ playbook this season, Lalich should have the ability to showcase his strengths. A powerful and accurate thrower, the sophomore connected on numerous quick-striking attempts.

“I guess that shows they believe in me and they have given me a lot of responsibility,” he said. “I have to take full advantage of it.

“As far as always having a quick answer, it’s just like the offense I ran in high school. But obviously there are a lot of things that are different.”

To prepare for the opener, Lalich spent countless hours studying defenses with Groh. He also worked with offensive coordinator Mike Groh to get a better grasp on his own system.

“I felt like I was really prepared and I knew where I wanted to throw the ball out there,” Lalich said. “I didn’t feel like I was confused by anything at any point.”

He was, however, challenged in his ninth career appearance. Southern California’s defense ranked second in the country last year in total defense and scoring defense.

“I think it always helps to get out there and play, but I don’t think anything from last year prepared me for that defense,” Lalich said. “You prepare a lot different when you are running the scout team as opposed to the first-team unit.”

With Lalich’s new role as the team’s top quarterback comes added attention and lofty demands from the team’s fans.

That is not an imposing prospect.

“I don’t think about it. If you think about the pressure it is probably going to get to you,” he said. “I guess it is one of my skills to be able to block all that out.

“I feel like when I am pressing and really anxious that I don’t play that well. If it’s not going to help me play better, why do it?”

That trait was acquired when Lalich was playing AAU basketball.

“If I wasn’t taking a free throw late in the game, then I was thinking that I could make it,” he said. “I just look at it like how many times have I taken this free throw shot before or how many times have I dropped back and thrown this pass before. I am thinking, ‘I can throw this pass with my eyes closed.’”

 

ACC teams come up empty against non-league foes
By Jerry Ratcliffe
Published: September 3, 2008

Scattershooting around the ACC, while wondering what this league has to do in order to win a big non-conference game ...

Clemson was thrashed against Alabama last week. So was UVa against USC. N.C. State was whitewashed by the other USC (the Eastern one), and Virginia Tech was stunned by a band of Pirates. Aaaargggh!

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said folks shouldn’t rush to judgment on the league, but wait until after the season. Still, he is looking for answers himself after his Tigers’ defensive line was overwhelmed and the Crimson Tide out-hit Clemson all night long.

Clemson rushed for zero yardage.

“I think the biggest thing is intensity. Alabama played at a higher level of intensity than we did,” Bowden said during Wednesday’s ACC teleconference. “That was the first time in three years we’ve been run on like that and out-physicaled.”

Bowden was so puzzled, in fact, that he called Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer, Georgia’s Mark Richt and his father, Florida State’s Bobby Bowden, about how their teams responded to losing lopsided games while being ranked in the top 10.

“I don’t think I have all the answers,” Tommy Bowden said. “I talked to all three coaches about how they responded to their teams. I wanted to see if there was anything I was missing.”

Beamer mentioned pride and said he still can’t figure out why his Hokies were hammered at LSU last year, but did tell Bowden that some of it was the human element, with 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds.

“How all those teams responded is what was important,” Bowden said. “All three responded with top 10 years.”

By the way, Clemson should bounce back well, hosting The Citadel.

Tech’s monster

It was no surprise that Frank Beamer decided to take the redshirt off mobile quarterback Tyrod Taylor after the Hokies’ upset loss to East Carolina.

One question about that: Frank, what were you thinkin’?

Beamer said that, other than a couple of plays, senior starter Sean Glennon played well (14 of 23, 139 yards, no TDs and two picks). Tech is clearly better when it has the option of either Taylor or Glennon, a key to last year’s success.

While the Hokies have a host of other problems, the presence of Taylor at least makes up for some of them.

“I think you have a chance when [Taylor’s] in the ball game to have a big play by the run and a big play by the pass,” Beamer said. “He presents a threat.”

Meanwhile, Beamer said he hasn’t considered making a change at offensive coordinator where Bryan Stinespring has come under fire from Hokie Nation.

“I know people are disappointed,” Beamer said. “We’re disappointed. There’s no question about it.”

For the record, the Hokies ranked 100th in total offense last season and are currently ranked No. 92. Meanwhile, Virginia is ranked No. 101.

Thumbless Turtles

Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will take his team to Middle Tennessee State this weekend without last week’s starting quarterback Jordan Steffy, who suffered a thumb injury in the Terps’ win over Delaware.

Friedgen said Steffy had a ligament torn away from the bone on the thumb and will be out a minimum of three weeks, leaving the door open for Chris Turner, who started the final eight games last season. Steffy was booed pretty hard in a shaky performance against the Blue Hens.

Meanwhile, the Fridge has been trying to get the Terps’ attention regarding Middle Tennessee by showing them the horror show that was Virginia’s narrow escape last season in Murfreesboro. The Cavs had to drive nearly the length of the field to win with a walk-off field goal from Chris Gould.

“This is a very important game in our season and we’ve tried to stress that to our players,” Friedgen said. “You go into an environment you’re not used to and the team you are playing is going to be playing its very best.”

Remember the Raiders’ mobile QB, Dwight Dasher, a freshman who was a burr in the Cavaliers’ saddle last year? He played wide receiver in the first half of last week’s game, then moved to quarterback in the second half in the Blue Raiders’ loss to Troy.

“They have two athletic quarterbacks and good skill people, some young kids that can run,” said Friedgen.

Bum of the Week

Goes to Virginia coach Al Groh, by his own admission.

When asked if there were any special teams players of the week after the Cavaliers’ 52-7 thumping by USC, Groh said:

“We didn’t single anybody out. Well, we did, but not in that respect. Nobody’s the player of the week, no coach of the week. There’s the bum of the week and I’m leading the club.”

Stat of the Week

How thoroughly dominated was No. 9 Clemson in its lopsided loss to then-No. 24 Alabama last weekend?

The Crimson Tide ran 80 plays to Clemson’s 48 and owned a time of possession of 41:13, which is the most by a Tigers opponent since Clemson began keeping track of that normally insignificant statistic in 1978.

Quote of the Week

Comes from Duke defensive end Greg Akinbiyi after the Blue Devils won their opener against James Madison in front of 32,571 fans, just short of a incredibly rare sellout at ancient Wallace Wade Stadium:

“This is almost unreal,” Akinbiyi said of the crowd. “We’ve never had a crowd like this or an atmosphere like this ... this feeling in the air. It’s like Christmas.”

The crowd was Duke’s largest since the 2002 finale against rival UNC. Of course, a lot of those fans wore a lighter shade of blue.

On the mend

N.C. State rookie quarterback Russell Wilson is recovering from last Thursday night’s concussion suffered at South Carolina. After a night in the hospital for observation, Wilson was released the following morning.

“He is evaluated daily by our medical staff,” said Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien. “When he’s released to practice, we’ll practice him. You don’t want to have any chance that he could have a step back. Everything has been positive since he got out of the hospital. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

State’s offense struggled all night in the 34-0 loss, but even more mightily when Daniel Evans had to replace Wilson.

“We had 22 guys playing their first college game that night, so we knew we were going to struggle,” O’Brien said.

He is not considering taking the redshirt off freshman Mike Glennon, younger brother of Sean, unless Wilson can’t return.

29 Hurricanes

No, that’s not the number of storms lined up and headed toward the U.S., although it may seem like it. Instead, it’s the number of players who signed with Miami’s Hurricanes last February, many of whom are already clocking playing time for Coach Randy Shannon.

“This is the backbone of what we’re trying to build,” Shannon said. “We were fortunate to get a lot of guys in back in January. I’m not going to tell kids they have to enroll early, but if they have the opportunity and want to enroll, we’ll do whatever we can to help them.”

The last time we looked, Virginia was the only ACC school that doesn’t take advantage of early enrollment. Even though UVa says it will accept early enrollees, it’s unclear exactly what it takes for that to actually happen.

Speaking of hurricanes…

Duke and N.C. State coaches said they are keeping a close watch on this weekend’s hurricane threat, but are hoping it will pass through the Tar Heel state well in advance of their scheduled games (both at 6 p.m. Saturday).

Groh said his team got acclimated to inclement weather by practicing in steady rainstorms last week. Richmond’s Mike London, whose Spiders will play at UVa, said if he has to use a garden hose to keep the ball wet in practice, that’s what he’ll do to get his UR squad ready.

Short yardage

Who said that Paul Johnson’s option offense won’t work at Georgia Tech? The Yellow Jackets scored 41 points last week and their longest scoring drive was two minutes. ... Duke coach David Cutcliffe said the most encouraging thing he saw out of his Blue Devils in last week’s win was that they played extremely physical, something that is normally missing in Durham, except maybe on the basketball court. ... Boston College fans were wondering how new quarterback, fifth-year senior Chris Crane, would do in replacing Matt Ryan. Crane, who was shaky in training camp scrimmages, was 12 of 18 for 106 yards and rushed for two scores. He moves better than Ryan and is 6-5, 240. ... North Carolina’s Brandon Tate stacked up an eye-popping 397 yards of all-purpose yards in the Heels’ narrow win over McNeese State. He could have broken the ACC record (411 by Wake’s John Leach) if he could have broken one last tackle that was the only thing between him and the end zone 20 yards away. “My eyes got real big but when he hit my feet, I just crumbled over ... I was mad,” Tate said. ... UNC still is struggling to run the ball. Other than Tate’s 106 yards rushing on end-around plays (three carries), the three tailbacks rushed for 69 yards on 22 attempts.

The picks

Last week: 9-2. This week: Georgia Tech 27, Boston College 24; Virginia Tech 33, Furman 17; Wake Forest 29, Ole Miss 27; Clemson 42, The Citadel 6; Florida State 45, Western Carolina 13; N.C. State 27, William & Mary 21; Northwestern 28, Duke 20; Maryland 24, Middle Tennessee State 13; Florida 30, Miami 13; Virginia 24, Richmond 19.

 

A slow start, again
September 4, 2008 12:40 am
BY JIM McCONNELL

If last weekend was the start of the Atlantic Coast Conference's quest for national football respect this season, its member programs did little to further that cause. In fact, the results may have further cemented the notion that the conference has entered a down cycle.

Favored to beat a rebuilding Alabama squad, Clemson hardly looked worthy of its No. 9 national ranking in a 34-10 defeat.

Virginia Tech, Virginia and N.C. State provided few reasons for optimism in losses to East Carolina, Southern Cal and South Carolina.

But Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe suggested that people jump to conclusions too quickly based on initial results.

"A lot of schools that got hammered a little bit were playing teams nobody would like to face," Grobe said.

That same logic has been used extensively to rationalize the ACC's eight-game losing streak in Bowl Championship Series games.

How, then, do you explain Maryland and North Carolina struggling to subdue Division I-AA foes Delaware and McNeese State, respectively?

And while conference teams compiled a 7-4 record last weekend--Florida State was idle--the list of victims included Jacksonville State, Charleston Southern, Baylor, Kent State and James Madison.

"I don't pay any attention to it," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "I'm just trying to win football games. You guys can write about which is the best conference."

Miami has a big chance to bolster the ACC's image Saturday when it visits "The Swamp" for a prime-time clash with No. 5 Florida. It's exactly the kind of victory the conference needs to silence its critics--at least temporarily.

"I know this league is stronger [than it used to be] because I have to play in it," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. "We just haven't done a good job out of conference. I know that's something everybody wants to do better."

Hokies shuffle line

Virginia Tech running back Kenny Lewis said Tuesday that he expects cornerback Macho Harris, who missed the Hokies' loss to East Carolina with an injured foot, to play in Saturday's home opener against Furman.

The same can't be said for right tackle Blake DeChristopher. The redshirt freshman could miss as many as four weeks while recovering from severe bruises to his knee, thigh and kidney sustained on the same play early in last Saturday's game.

"He's such a tough kid; he wants to play. I feel for him," Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "He's feeling rough. We have to get him feeling well again, and the doctors will tell us when he can practice."

DeChristopher limped off the field during the Hokies' first offensive series with what was originally announced as a deep thigh bruise. Fellow lineman Nick Marshman claimed the redshirt freshman was injured as a result of a "cheap shot" by an ECU player, an illegal block from behind following Sean Glennon's first interception.

Junior Richard Graham played most of the snaps at right tackle in DeChristopher's absence and will start there against Furman.

Wilson on the mend

At some point after starting quarterback Russell Wilson was taken off the field on a stretcher in the first half of N.C. State's loss to South Carolina last Thursday, Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien considered taking the redshirt off promising freshman Mike Glennon.

Wilson was later diagnosed with a Grade 3 concussion, the most severe concussion possible. But be-cause the injury isn't expected to keep him out of action for an extended period of time, O'Brien is content to make do with Daniel Evans and Harrison Beck for now.

"Everything has been positive since he was released from the hospital [Friday], so we'll keep our fingers crossed," said O'Brien, whose team hosts William & Mary at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Wilson, a redshirt freshman from Richmond, won the No. 1 job in preseason but left the game after taking a knee to the helmet while being tackled in the second quarter of the season opener.

O'Brien said that while Wilson had returned to classes this week, there was no firm timetable for his return to practice.

"We're just thinking about getting him back healthy," he added. "He's being evaluated daily by our medical staff. We have to follow their advice because we don't want to take a chance of it happening again."

 

Cavs ink Boland to deal
By Whitey Reid
Published: September 3, 2008

It’s been no secret that Virginia men’s tennis coach Brian Boland has been one of the most successful young coaches on the national — and even international — college tennis scene over the last few years.

On Wednesday, Boland’s employer acknowledged that fact when it rewarded the 36-year-old with a new five-year contract. In doing so, Boland was kept off the free-agent market, where he reportedly had a number of admirers.

“There is no place that I’d rather be than at the University of Virginia,” Boland told The Daily Progress. “My family and I are thrilled to spend many years to come in Charlottesville and at the University of Virginia. We couldn’t be more excited.

“I really appreciate [UVa Athletic Director] Craig Littlepage and his staff for their professionalism and commitment to our program.”

When Boland left Indiana State (his alma mater) for Virginia in 2002, UVa had not finished higher than third in the ACC in nearly a quarter-century.

Three years later, behind a recruiting class that included Doug Stewart and Rylan Rizza, Virginia finished first in the ACC — a feat no Wahoo squad had ever accomplished.

This past season, Boland’s team won its fifth straight league crown and reached the NCAA Tournament Final Four for the second straight year.

“I think when you sign a contract like I have, you have to pay homage to the players who have given so much of their energy and time over the past seven years,” Boland said. “I’m extremely grateful to all their hard work and dedication.”

Littlepage is certainly glad he’ll have Boland — named ITA Coach of the Year this past season — locked up through 2013.

“In seven years we’ve seen our men’s tennis program move from the bottom of the ACC standings to the top of the national rankings,” said Littlepage in a press release. “Brian Boland is responsible for the growth and success in our program. He’s been a coach, a mentor, a colleague, and a leader in the tennis community. I look forward to our success at the conference and national levels continuing for years to come.”

In the last five years, Virginia has posted a gaudy 137-21 record, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament every year.

In 2006, the program received a major boost with the addition of a new $7.5 million indoor facility at the Boar’s Head Sports Club that was made possible by Dave Matthews Band violinist Boyd Tinsley.

This season, UVa firmly established a home-court advantage, leading the nation in attendance

“I always believed that the University of Virginia had the potential to be the best tennis program in the country, year in and year out,” said Boland, who, during his tenure, has graduated 100 percent of his players who have extended their scholarships. “I believe it’s one of those schools that can really provide a student-athlete the best of all worlds.

“I’m not surprised that we’ve had the success we’ve had, but there’s been a lot of hard work and commitment from so many people over the years.”

Boland will have his work cut out this season — he loses two-time NCAA champion Somdev Devvarman, among others.

“Our goal is to continue to compete at the highest level and produce a program year in and year out that we can all be proud of,” he said. “We believe we can pick up where we left off. Certainly we lost some key players, but we’re also really excited about the nucleus of young players we have. I believe it will be a really exciting year for Cavalier fans.”

 

Vigilante sets sights on debut with Virginia
August hire Vigilante prepares team for opening race at home Saturday, relies on experience on men’s and women’s squads
Emily Bareford, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Published: Thursday, September 4 2008
 

 This Saturday the defending ACC-champion Virginia cross country team will host the Lou Onesty Invitational at Panorama Farms, an early-season event in which the Cavaliers traditionally compete against in-state rivals such as William & Mary and VCU.
Virginia will look to open the season with a strong performance by both the men and women at the event, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
“This will be the first opportunity for our cross country team to compete,” Virginia coach Jason Vigilante said. “What we hope to do for this competition is to remain healthy while we gather some experience for races that come later in the season.”
This weekend will also be the first meet for Vigilante as Virginia’s coach. Jason Dunn, the previous head coach, resigned July 30 to take the head coaching position at Stanford. Just one week later, Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage named Vigilante the new head coach.
“It was a pretty big shock, and we were pretty worried about where the program was going to be headed.” sophomore Emil Heineking said. “However, the girls and guys are really excited about coach Vigilante to be here. We know we are in good hands and expect the program to be better and better every year.”
Vigilante comes to Virginia from the Big 12, where he was the associate head men’s track and field and head men’s cross country coach at the University of Texas. Even though he came into the program so close to the beginning of the season, he said he still has a positive outlook that enables him to help Virginia runners reach their full potential.
“I think I need to have the sharpest eye for detail so I can make sure that I look at both sides of what we’re doing in order to get the best results,” Vigilante said.
His time at Texas allowed him to develop valuable techniques and strategies to bring to the Virginia cross country program.
“Having teams that competed at the national championships seven of the last eight years will help quite a bit,” Vigilante said.
His impressive record with Texas does not stop there, as he also worked with Leonel Manzano, who ran in the 1500 meters for the United States in the 2008 Olympics.
Vigilante is also excited to be returning to the ACC. He ran cross country for N.C. State, lettering three times and earning All-ACC cross country honors for his notable senior season. His stellar record and previous experience competing in the ACC give him an advantage and a familiarity he can use this season to enhance Virginia’s hopes of competing in the national championships this year.
Both the men’s and women’s teams are also not shy of experience this year, and each will rely on upperclassmen to carry the team through the first meet of the season.
The men look to Heineking, who won honors as ACC Freshman of the Year and All-American. He also had the privilege of competing in the World Cross Country Championships in March, where he was the second American to cross the finish line, placing 26th overall.
“Competing in Scotland was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Heineking said. “The race motivated me to reach my potential and carry what I learned back here to U.Va.”
Last year seems to be just a preview of what Heineking is capable of for his next three years at Virginia.
“I’m excited about where he is as his training is well ahead of where he was a year ago, and he has a lot more savvy to him now,” Vigilante said. “He went on to become one of the very few freshmen in the country to win All-American honors and he is already doing great this season.”
The men also have quality runners in senior Andy Biladeau, winner of last year’s Lou Onesty Invitational, as well as senior Ryan Foster.
Seniors Lauretta Dezubay and Katherine Read step in as the leaders this year for the women, replacing standout runner Emily Harrison, who graduated last year.

O Canada
Jeff White
Sep 03, 2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE – My football obligations kept me in the States last weekend – USC doesn’t visit every day, you know – but I’ve talked to several people, Dave Leitao among them, who were in Montreal for the U.Va. basketball team’s three exhibition games.

Leitao had countless questions about his team heading into the trip, and many of them remain unanswered, including this one:

Who’s going to take the big shot for U.Va. late in a close game?

In Leitao’s first three seasons at Virginia, point guard Sean Singletary dominated the ball, but never more so than at the end of tight games. The games in Montreal were the Cavaliers’ first without Singletary, who after brief stops in Sacramento and Houston has landed in Phoenix with the Suns, and his absence was felt most Sunday morning.

After posting one-sided wins Saturday over St. Lawrence College and Concordia University, Virginia found itself in a close game Sunday against McGill University and didn’t handle the situation well. U.Va. led 80-75 with 3:02 left but ended up losing 88-83.

There’s no guarantee Singletary would have rescued the ‘Hoos against McGill, but there’s no question the ball would have been in his hands. With Singletary gone, Leitao’s most assertive player is probably Calvin Baker, but the junior guard doesn’t always make great decisions with the ball, especially when he’s passing.

Senior swingman Mamadi Diane, who didn’t play in Montreal because of an injury, might be another late-game option, but he’s not known for creating his own shot. Same with sophomore shooting guard Jeff Jones.

Maybe the ball goes inside to sophomore power forward Mike Scott, the team’s best low-post scoring threat. Or perhaps point guard Sammy Zeglinski, who redshirted last season because of an injury, drives into the lane and passes the ball out to a shooter on the wing.

Or maybe, just maybe, Sylven Landesberg ends up being U.Va.’s go-to guy. He’s only a freshman, but the 6-5 guard from Queens was a McDonald’s All-American last season, and he has an old-school game that includes an uncanny ability to get in the lane and score or get fouleed. Landesberg looked great in Virginia’s first two games in Canada but then “hit the wall” against McGill, as an assistant put it. Landesberg also showed in Montreal that he’s capable of playing point guard when needed.

One final thought on Virginia’s Canadian experience: A person who made the trip told me the most pleasant surprises were probably Landesberg, junior center Jerome Meyinsse and sophomore guard Mustapha Farrakhan. Meyinsse averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds, and Farrakhan, a non-factor as a freshman, averaged 7.3 points.

Moving on ....

With two commitments for 2009-10 – from Bethel High point guard Jontel “Bub” Evans and small forward Tristan Spurlock – Leitao may be finished recruiting in that class. But Virginia is pursuing several prospects in the Class of 2010, among them John Marshall High forward Travis McKie, whose father played at Auburn and Virginia Union, and Courtland High forward Josh Hairston.

Hairston, whom Rivals.com ranks No. 14 among the nation’s 11th-graders, is likely to end up at Duke, but he’s planning an unofficial visit to U.Va. on Saturday. Virginia’s coaching staff hopes that Spurlock, who’s now at Word of Life Christian Academy in Springfield, and Evans will be in town Saturday for the football game at Scott Stadium and can help with the recruitment of Hairston.