For tight end John Phillips, being one of the 'Boys isn't bad
Life in the NFL is fine so far for Bath County native John Phillips.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

As a participant in Sunday night's football game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, John Phillips had the distinction of playing in front of the largest crowd in regular-season professional football history.

You could have taken the population of Phillips' native Bath County and the four Virginia counties that surround it and not matched the crowd of 105,121 at the new Cowboys Stadium.

"It's just unreal," said Phillips, a rookie tight end from the University of Virginia. "You're just taken aback the first time you see it. I know I was back in the summer time.

"Plus, we've got the craziest fans. Even when we played at Tampa Bay the first week, it seemed like half the people in the stands were Cowboys fans."

It wasn't a foregone conclusion that Phillips would make the Cowboys' roster when he was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, nor was it a certainty that he would make the active roster on a team that went to camp with six tight ends.

Part of the thrill Monday night was getting on the field and playing.

Phillips is a regular on the Cowboys' kickoff returns and punt teams and occasionally serves on the punt-return unit. He also has gotten playing time when the Cowboys have employed three tight ends.

Normally, Dallas would use three tight ends in running situations, but Phillips was the Cowboys' second-leading receiver in the preseason.

Phillips was one of two rookies from UVa to make the Cowboys' roster. The other was undrafted wide receiver Kevin Ogletree.

"It's been a big help having him down here," said Phillips who stayed with Ogletree prior to training camp and has roomed with him on the road. "He's made a strong first impression and shown that he definitely was a draftable guy."

Ogletree is on the Cowboys' 53-man roster but was not among the 46 players who were activated for the game.

A third rookie from Virginia, outside linebacker Clint Sintim, was selected by the Giants in the second round of the draft but was nursing an injury and did not make the trip to Dallas.

"We had an interesting text conversation after the game -- a friendly back and forth," said Phillips, who roomed with Sintim for two years at UVa. "It's a neat little fraternity. It's a unique lifestyle that we have. You know when they're off and there's always somebody you can call or text."

Phillips said his parents, Gene (Bugs) and Susan, will be making their first appearance at Cowboys Stadium this coming Monday night, when the Cowboys entertain Carolina.

Older brother Jake is assisting with the football team at the Phillips brothers' alma mater, Bath County High School, while monitoring possible openings in arenafootball2 (which once had a franchise in Roanoke) and the new United Football League.

Jake Phillips played quarterback at William and Mary, which gave him family bragging rights after the Tribe defeated Virginia 26-14 in Charlottesville earlier this month, "but he didn't give me too much grief," John said.

"We've got too many other things to worry about."

That's not to say that Phillips feared that he would be cut.

"I was very confident," he said. "You've got to be very confident in this league. If you don't think that you've got a chance, then you're putting yourself behind the eight-ball."

One key for Phillips was his preparation during OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and mini-camps.

He made a name for himself on the field and off. On May 2, when a severe thunderstorm caused the Cowboys' practice facility to collapse, Phillips was hailed for his efforts in assisting Cowboys staff members who were injured.

"We've all seen the video footage by now," wrote Nick Eatman in a blog on the Cowboys' Web site. "We see the shots of guys like tight end John Phillips going face-first into a broken glass window that he kicked out, looking for more survivors."

To this day, Phillips is uncomfortable talking about his role in the rescue effort.

"You still have some reminders, when you see our special-teams coach [Joe DeCamillis] had a broken neck out of the deal and [scouting assistant Rich Behm] was paralyzed from the waist down," Phillips said. "It was a tragic accident, and we're just trying to put it behind us."

That's in the past and the present hasn't been all rosy. The Cowboys.

After winning its opener 34-21 at Tampa Bay, Dallas lost its home debut to the New York Giants, 33-31, on a last-second field goal.

"We had something like 250 yards rushing and did some things very well, but we had a bunch of turnovers," Phillips said. "Obviously, it's very disappointing, especially when you give a game away like we did."

Phillips isn't content to be a footnote in history.

"I think every little kid, whether it's in Bath County or wherever, dreams of playing for a particular team or just professional sports," he said. "That's how me and my friends were. My dream kept getting closer and closer.

"I'm here now, but that's not the ultimate goal. It's to keep getting better and work my way into a predominant role."
 

Redshirt likely for Wallace

Virginia football coach Al Groh said Wednesday that he understands that freshman running back Dominique Wallace meets the criteria for a medical redshirt and confirmed that Wallace's sprained foot is similar to the injury that caused Cedric Peerman to miss the last seven games of the 2007 season.

"Not only is it the same as Cedric's, but it's similar to the injury that Wali Lundy suffered [in 2006]," Groh said. "Unfortunately, he joins a long list of backs here who have suffered significant injuries during their season."

The injury, which is a dislocation of the midfoot, is known technically as a Lisfranc Fracture after the French physician who first isolated it.
 

Schaub recovers after poor opener
By Kristie Rieken
The Associated Press
September 24, 2009

HOUSTON - Matt Schaub looked like two different quarterbacks in the first two weeks of the season.

His shaky performance in Week 1 ended with a woeful offensive shutout. He rebounded against the Titans to throw four touchdown passes.

Now the Texans must wait to see which Schaub shows up Sunday against the Jaguars.

Coach Gary Kubiak and receiver Andre Johnson both said Schaub's struggles against the Jets in the opener had a lot to do with an ankle injury he finally has put behind him. If he can stay healthy, the Texans believe they'll find consistency on offense and build on last week's success.

Schaub missed five games in each of his first two seasons in Houston. The former University of Virginia star won't admit that his ankle was bothering him against the Jets, but Johnson said Schaub's appearance in that game should answer any questions about his toughness.

"The guy barely can move around and he's out there playing," Johnson said.

Schaub relishes his role as leader, but acknowledges that it took some time to get comfortable with the Texans. He's in his third year with Houston.

"You come to a new team, new situation, new offense, new guys and you just try to learn as much as you can as quickly as you can," he said. "But until you reach that comfort level ..., it's hard to really have things click like that."

Schaub's four touchdown passes were his NFL high and tied a franchise record. Playing without receivers Kevin Walter and former Virginia Tech standout Andre' Davis, Schaub relied on Johnson and used his tight ends to finish with 357 passing yards.

He was named the AFC's offensive player of the week for the second time. The first came last season when he threw for a franchise-best 414 yards in a 24-21 win at Green Bay. Kubiak called Sunday's game Schaub's best.

Johnson said of Schaub, "Nothing that he does really surprises me. It surprises other people because he takes so much criticism."

Kubiak was impressed that Schaub made no costly mistakes Sunday. He had three interceptions and two fumbles and was sacked three times the last time Houston visited the Titans.

"It's a tough environment, and part of his task was to protect the ball and not go down with the ball, sacks, all those things that beat a team," Kubiak said. "The key to him becoming a better quarterback is protecting the football."

Sewell emerges as leader
By Jay Jenkins
Published: September 24, 2009

Before Saturday’s game at Southern Miss, Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell felt something in the humid air.
His arm felt lively. His feet were moving with ease.
Sewell, a fifth-year senior, was confident that he could provide enough offensively in the Cavaliers’ newly installed version of the spread-like offense.
It was not to be — Virginia collapsed late, losing 37-34 — but a leader emerged for a team longing for a win and a voice.
It was a memorable performance indeed as Sewell passed for a career-best 312 yards and two touchdowns and produced two more on the ground.
“I was just trying to do everything in my power to lead us to a victory,” Sewell said. “It wasn’t enough, but we took a step in the right direction.”
Perhaps the biggest sign of Sewell’s maturity and leadership qualities came after he was leveled and had to be helped off the turf and to the sidelines.
Although Riko Smalls and Marc Verica warmed up on the sidelines, Sewell returned to the huddle for the next offensive play.
“Obviously, [Sewell] had a real good game,” Virginia coach Al Groh said. “He is finding his stride. We are real pleased with what Jameel did, both in his performance and the competitiveness that he showed.
“He showed his teammates that he’s the player they can jump on his back and he is going to carry them.”
Sewell started quick against Southern Miss, launching a deep touchdown pass to rookie Tim Smith that magically soared through the air.
“I just threw it up and Tim did all the work,” Sewell said. “He did all the hard work. I had the easy part.”
Sewell also appeared to have a connection with sophomore Kris Burd and tight end Joe Torchia, who caught the first two passes of his career.
“He made some real good throws,” Groh said, “and the receivers stepped up and made some real good catches.”
Although the playbook appeared to change from the first two weeks, Sewell said the same principles are in place.
“We already had the routes installed,” he said. “The formations didn’t really change. It wasn’t that difficult. Everybody locked in and we got it done.”
Improved production from the offensive line early in the contest helped buy time for Sewell, something he did not enjoy against Texas Christian when he was sacked eight times.
“It is always a combination,” Groh said of Sewell and the offensive line. “It was a cohesive effort with good protection early. The ball was coming out quickly.
“As time went on it didn’t seem quite as fast. The protection had some difficulties. We didn’t quite have the cohesion coming down the stretch that we had earlier, obviously, that we needed.”

 

UVa faces N.C. State in ACC opener
By Whitey Reid
Published: September 24, 2009

Trying to figure out the starting lineup for the Virginia women’s soccer team this season has been a little like attempting to guess which contestant on “The Biggest Loser” is going to lose the most weight.
Really, you have no idea.
Virginia coach Steve Swanson has used seven different starting lineups through the team’s first eight games.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces and have been looking at a lot of new things,” Swanson explained. “I’ve been trying to give people chances, but without risking losing the continuity of what we’re trying to do…
“I think I’ve been learning more and more as we go. I think now that we’re into ACC’s, we’ll try and make it a little more consistent.”
Tonight, Virginia opens its ACC slate on the road at N.C. State. UVa (5-1-2) is riding a seven-game unbeaten streak. The No. 14 Cavaliers, who haven’t lost since the season opener at Penn State, are coming off a 2-0 win over American on Sunday.
“I think we’re definitely ready,” said Virginia sophomore Meghan Lenczyk. “These pre-conference games have really prepared us for what is coming in the ACC. Hopefully we can come out and do well.”
So far, the lack of a consistent starting lineup hasn’t seemed to affect Virginia much.
“We have so much depth on our team,” Lenczyk said. “It is hard to play with different people, but it’s not like the level drops when a new player starts.”
The unranked Wolfpack (5-2-1) are coming off a 1-0 loss to Charlotte on Sunday. Virginia has won the last 14 meetings with State (dating back to 1995), and has won its last six ACC season openers.
“It’s always tough to play anybody in our conference,” warned Swanson, whose team returns home for a matinee against Clemson and former UVa assistant Hershey Strosberg on Sunday, “but particularly on the road. We’re looking forward to it. I think we’ll have to be ready to play.”
 

Balanced Virginia team prepares for ACC play
No. 14 Cavaliers remain undefeated since Aug. 21 match against Penn State; five players average more than one PPG
Meryem Karad, Cavalier Daily Senior Writer
Sports / Women's Soccer
September 24, 2009 0

Sophomore Chantel Jones is fourth in the ACC in both goals against average and save percentage. Photo by Jason O. Watson.
The No. 14 Virginia women’s soccer opens ACC play Thursday night against N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C.

After a convincing 2-0 showing against American University last Sunday afternoon at home, the Cavaliers are unbeaten in seven straight games since an opening 1-0 loss to No. 12 Penn State Aug. 21.

“I think we are definitely ready,” junior forward Meghan Lenczyk said. “These pre-conference games have really prepared us for what’s coming in the ACC.”

Offensively, Virginia (5-1-2) has a well balanced attack in that it is one of only two schools nationally to have five players averaging more than a point per game. Lenczyk leads the Cavaliers in scoring with 14 points on six goals and two assists. Forwards sophomore Lauren Alwine and freshman Caroline Miller, scorers of 11 and 10 respectively, also have made significant contributions. Meanwhile, junior midfielder Sinead Farrelly and senior midfielder Jess Rostedt both have recorded nine points.

In all, the Cavaliers have taken 150 shots to just 55 by their opponents, all while scoring 24 points and averaging 18.8 shots per game. Virginia’s depth has allowed for continuously changing lineups and opportunities for players.

Despite the team’s many strengths, though, the Cavaliers have recorded two tie games that could have been wins.

“We’ve got a lot of new faces so we are looking at a lot of new things,” Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. “I’m trying to give people chances without risking the continuity. We are looking at some different combinations still. But I think I’m learning more and more as every game goes. Now that we are in [conference play], we will try to make it a little more consistent.”

In goal for Virginia, sophomore goalkeeper Chantel Jones has started all eight matches and tallied a 0.48 GAA in more than 750 minutes of action. Thus far, she has three shutouts and has made 21 saves, allowing only four goals.

Jones and the Cavaliers will face a N.C. State team hungry for redemption after a 1-0 loss to Charlotte last Sunday dropped its record to 5-2-1. Although the Wolfpack were limited to only five shots in that game, the offense has dangerous attackers Virginia will need to contain.

Freshman forward Kara Blosser leads the Wolfpack with 13 points and six goals. Meanwhile, sophomore forward Paige Dugal has five goals on the year and is tied for third in the league along with classmate forward Tanya Cain with two game-winning goals apiece. Cain is also one of five players in the ACC to record a hat trick this season.

The matchup against Virginia will be the first ACC action the Wolfpack — coached by Steve Springthorpe — have seen this year. N.C. State is 3-1-1 at home in 2009.

Virginia, however, has a 19-12-2 lead in the all-time series and the Wolfpack has not beaten the Cavaliers since 1995.

“It’s always tough in our conference to play anywhere, against anybody, but particularly on the road,” Swanson said, “We are looking forward to it.”

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday. Up next for Virginia is a three-game homestand that will begin Sunday.
 

Squad gears up for promising season after coaching changes
Virginia hopes for successful 2009-10 season, to fulfill expectations after receiving several preseason accolades, slots for television coverage
Dan Stalcup, Cavalier Daily Senior Associate Editor
Sports / Women's Basketball
September 24, 2009 0

Senior guard Monica Wright has piled up preseason honors. Photo by Jason O. Watson.
As the countdown to the tipoff of the first game in Tony Bennett’s career as the Virginia men’s basketball coach continues, the other basketball team on Grounds quietly prepares for the beginning of its season. With preseason awards, plans for television coverage and more exciting news rolling in, anticipation is building.

The No. 11 Virginia women’s basketball team revealed Monday that it is one of ESPN’s selections for two of its Big Monday editions. Big Monday is ESPN2’s name for the Monday evening time-slot, which is reserved for the biggest college women’s basketball matchup each week. The only school slotted to participate more in the upcoming season is Connecticut, which will appear three times.

“We’re excited about our schedule and that we are playing at least eight games on television,” Virginia women’s basketball coach Debbie Ryan said. “We are going to have a lot of exposure during the season, and it is great to be in the ACC.”

Also generating excitement about the season is senior guard Monica Wright’s collection of numerous preseason accolades. Lindy’s College Basketball Preview selected Wright as a preseason first-team All-American, while both the Wade Trophy and Wooden Award have listed Wright on the preseason watch list. Wright led the ACC in scoring, was a member of the All-ACC team and was an honorable mention for the All-American teams following the previous season.

Barring an injury or a significant drop in production, Wright likely will finish her senior year with the all-time Virginia scoring record. Last season, Wright set the single-season scoring record with 696 points, a 20.5 per game average.

Wright’s early honors and the team’s television coverage are not the Cavaliers’ only notable offseason stories. Following the departures of assistant coaches Jeff House and Curtis Loyd in May, Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage hired two new assistant coaches: former Virginia assistant coach Tim Taylor and former Virginia basketball player Wendy Palmer.

“I am very pleased and excited to have Tim Taylor and Wendy Palmer joining our family,” Ryan said. “Our players will really benefit from the unbelievable knowledge and passion they both bring to our program … Tim Taylor is one of the best tacticians in the game of basketball.”

Taylor worked on the women’s basketball staff for 2000-05 and then spent the next four years coaching the high school ranks, heading up the boys’ basketball teams for Orange High School and Madison County High School during this time. Among Orange’s honors during this time were a school-record 25 consecutive wins and a first-time berth in the state tournament.

“I am excited to return to the University of Virginia,” Taylor said. “It is an opportunity to work with a great administration, staff and players to enhance the program on an everyday basis on and off the court.”

Not all of the offseason news has been positive for the Cavaliers, though. Forward Kelly Hartig announced before the school year began that she had decided to transfer to the University of Colorado, Denver for academic reasons and will no longer play varsity basketball.

“I appreciate everything the University of Virginia women’s basketball staff, support staff and players have done for me,” Hartig said. “I wish them all the best and will always be a Cavalier women’s basketball fan.”

Though Hartig’s presence as a starter, dominant size and team participation will be missed, her former team stands behind her decision.

“We will really miss Kelly but we support her decision to change directions academically,” Ryan said. “She was an integral part of our program these past two years, and we all wish her the best in the future.”

Questions about how the team plans to replace Hartig and graduates center Aisha Mohammed and forward Lyndra Littles linger and will not be answered until the season starts, but all other signs about the team’s near future seem positive.

UVa Football Family Loses Kowalkowski
Sept. 23, 2009
2:48 p.m.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Sad news out of the Detroit area: Bob Kowalkowski, a football star for UVa in the 1960s, died last week after a brief illness.

He was 65. His funeral was Tuesday in Orchard Lake, Mich.

Kowalkowski made the all-ACC second team at offensive tackle in 1963 and '64. He was a seventh-round pick of the Detroit Lions and played 11 seasons at offensive guard for that NFL team. Kowalkowski also played for the Browns and the Packers.

His son Scott, who starred at Notre Dame, also played for Lions.

Here's an article from the Lions' website.

-- Jeff White







Former UVa Star Ferguson: Hometown Hero
Sept. 23, 2009
11:18 a.m.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- This is a good time to be D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Not only is the former UVa All-American starting at left offensive tackle for the unbeaten New York Jets, who are coming off a win over the Patriots, his hometown is about to honor him.

Ferguson is from Freeport, N.Y., on Long Island. Freeport will dedicate a street to him Tuesday morning.

"D'Brickashaw Ferguson is a true star both on and off the field, and we are proud to have him as a part of the Freeport Family," the village's major, Andrew Hardwick, said in a news release. "Please come out and join as us as we honor the accomplishments of this talented young man."

Ferguson, a 2002 graduate of Freeport High, was named Long Island's top player as a 12th-grader.

At UVa, he was a four-year starter at left tackle for Al Groh. Ferguson needed only three-and-a-half years to earn his bachelor's degree in religious studies.

A first-team All-American as a UVa senior, Ferguson was the fourth player taken in the 2006 NFL draft. In 2007, he founded the D'Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation, which offers scholarships to deserving students, assists food banks and clothing ministries, and helps churches with repairs.

Ferguson's brother, Edwin Jr., also graduated from UVa.

-- Jeff White


 

White: Common Bond Unites Ryan and Bennett
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 09/23/2009
By Jeff White

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- At some schools, the relationship between the head basketball coaches is superficial at best.
Not so at UVa. Debbie Ryan's office is near Tony Bennett's at John Paul Jones Arena, and they talk regularly.
"She was just in the office today," Bennett said Wednesday morning. "She's been a friendly face, and it's been good to feel comfortable about her."
After a stealthy courtship, UVa hired Bennett in late March to replace Dave Leitao, who'd coached the men's team for four seasons.
Until Bennett came to Virginia from Washington State, Ryan had never actually met him, but "I felt like he was my brother by the time he walked in here," she said, "because I knew so much about him."
That's where Kathi Bennett comes in. "Tony and I are related through his sister," Ryan said with a smile.
In 2003, Ryan was head coach of the U.S. women's team that won the silver medal at the Pan American Games. Her assistants included Tony's sister, then head coach at Indiana.
"Kathi is someone who just idolizes him," Ryan said, "and every time we'd do something, she would say, 'Well, Tony does this, and Tony does that.'
"And I'd be like, 'OK.' So that's how I got to know Tony, and then since he got here, obviously, we've spent a lot of time doing things together. We're trying to help out any way we can."
When he was talking to UVa about its coaching vacancy, Bennett confided in virtually no one. He told his father, but not his sister, who's now an assistant at Wisconsin.
"Then when I got the job, Kathi said, 'Oh, man, I worked with Debbie,'" Bennett said. "And I remember when she did that, because was that a great honor, to be part of USA Basketball and the Pan Am Games."
Ryan has quite a head start on Bennett, whose first season as a head coach was 2006-07. That was Ryan's 30th season at UVa.
"I've picked her brain," Bennett said. "I told her, 'You've been here 33 years. You know a lot of the ins and outs. You've seen what works, what doesn't.'
"I've asked for advice from her, and I've appreciated her input. She's great."
 

Midterm report card
Paul Montana, Cavalier Daily Columnist
Sports
September 24, 2009 0
For University students, midterms are about two weeks away. But Virginia athletics run on a different schedule, with the fall season starting a couple weeks before the academic semester starts, and ending a couple weeks before the academic semester ends.

So, I find this an ideal time to give each of the fall sports midterm grades. Report card columns have been written before, in this publication and in others, so this is not exactly original. But students get midterm grades every semester; why shouldn’t athletic programs?

Here are the associated midterm grades for each of the five fall varsity sports and their justifications. Following each explanation is a metaphor to the classroom setting, which may or may not border on the absurd. And finally, based on the popularity and revenue-generating potential of each sport, I will give approximate credits “earned” and calculate a midterm GPA at the end of the column.

1. Football. This evaluation is by far the easiest. The football team has yet to win a game and is 108th in total offense out of the 120 BCS teams — prior to its 37-34 loss to Southern Mississippi, the Cavs were dead last. It even appears that Virginia coach Al Groh is moving away from new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon’s spread offense and back to the more pro-style approach from previous seasons, with Groh telling reporters after a 37-34 loss that “we got back to our roots” in the days leading up to the game. Now 0-3, only a drastic turnaround will change this team’s fortunes.

In other words, the football team flunked the first two tests, and a C- on its last exam doesn’t bring its current grade above failing. And before the semester started, the professor — Groh — gave more leeway to his teaching assistants — the coordinators — but he is now tightening his leash. One might imagine that the Cavs might be a little confused. Only superb performances the rest of the semester will save the team now, and that is pretty unlikely. Grade: F. Credits: 10.

2. Men’s soccer. This one is interesting. Virginia coach George Gelnovatch decided to rethink his tactical outlook this past summer; this season, he is asking more players to attack from midfield and defending positions. To start, the outlook was not particularly promising, as the team scored one goal combined while losing all three of its exhibition games. Admittedly, Gelnovatch was playing nearly his entire roster while awaiting the return of marquee players Tony Tchani and Chris Agorsor.

Still, however, No. 11 Virginia barely scraped by unranked Washington in overtime in a season-opening tournament, then fell to No. 12 Duke, also in overtime. But, Gelnovatch’s bunch then turned around and impressively took out then-No. 2 Wake Forest on the road Friday, before sweating out a 1-0 win at home against lowly Mount Saint Mary’s. It appears that the Cavs are capable of playing up or down to just about anyone on their schedule.

In other words, Virginia flunked the practice test — albeit while not giving a full effort — but followed that with a couple Cs on some homework assignments that were certainly not meaningless. Virginia then rallied for an A on the next test — Wake Forest — but received another meager passing grade on its next assignment, Mount Saint Mary’s. The Cavs’ grade report is riddled with all sorts of grades, but the A on the toughest test so far means the most. A couple more exams like that, and they’ll be in A territory. And as the Cavs continue to adjust to their new study method — the new tactical outlook — those types of performances appear more likely. Grade: B+. Credits: 4.

3. Women’s soccer. Like its male counterpart, the No. 11 women’s soccer team did not open the season well. Unranked Penn State had only one win in four games against opponents ranked in the top 15 until it faced the Cavaliers — and that was Virginia’s season opener. Unlike the Cavalier men, though, the women have yet to land a landmark win, coming up with a loss and two ties against the three opponents that are ranked or have received votes in the latest NSCAA/Adidas poll. On the other hand, the Cavs have trounced just about everybody else.

In other words, the Cavaliers are making As on homework assignments, but when it comes exam time, they have not fared as well. When the meat of the exam schedule — the ACC slate — hits, the Cavs must perform if they want to earn a B or better, but for now, they are at least on solid ground. Grade: B. Credits: 3.

4. Field hockey. So far, this is the team that has made its biggest mark. No other team that has competed more than once is undefeated in the fall season — field hockey is 8-0. Lately, in particular, the No. 4 Cavaliers have been marvelous, walking all over No. 8 Michigan State, 3-0, and winning their previous three games by at least three goals and by as many as five.

But, I am not completely sold yet. Prior to their streak, the Cavaliers won each of their previous three games against unranked opponents by one goal each. Virginia statistically dominated those three games, outshooting its opponents 51-17, but converted just four of those 51 shots into goals. It is likely no coincidence that the Cavaliers’ leading scorers are both underclassmen: freshman Tara Puffenberger and sophomore Paige Selenski.

Perhaps now, midseason, Virginia’s youth is a thing of the past. On the other hand, the Cavs have yet to play an opponent in their conference, and three of the other four ACC teams are ranked in the three spots above Virginia at No. 4.

In other words, Virginia has gotten As lately, and most recently pulled an A+ on its last and most important exam — Michigan State — but had a few Bs to start the year. The Cavs sit on the border of an A and an A-; if they pull out a few more As the rest of the way, they could be golden. Grade: A-. Credits: 2.

5. Cross country. The cross country teams — both men’s and women’s — are harder to evaluate at this point in the season, because the only meet they have competed in is the Lou Onesty Invitational. This year’s version presented preseason-No. 11 Virginia with unranked Norfolk State, George Mason and UNC-Greensboro, and the Cavs easily tallied the most points on both sides. Nevertheless, Virginia ran exactly as it should have in that one competition.

In other words, the Cavs have had one assignment — the Lou Onesty Invitational — and it was a fairly meaningless one. Virginia put in the work and came out with the A, but the big exams — the ACC and NCAA Championships — won’t occur for more than a month. For now, though, Virginia got an A on its first assignment and will be given its midterm grade accordingly. Grade: A. Credits: 2 (one each for the men and the women).

Without going into too much of the math — I’m sure U.Va. students are pretty accustomed to calculating GPAs — the Cavs’ midterm GPA for 21 credits (quite the course load!) is 1.79, hovering just above a C- average.

Doesn’t seem fair to all the sports other than football, does it? On the other hand, given the state of the football program and the weight it carries in the scheme of Virginia athletics with fans and alumni, I’d say it’s a pretty fair assessment.

Too bad that, unlike University courses, the football team can’t be withdrawn.