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Virginia no longer gets 'biggie size' with Brown
 By JERRY RATCLIFFE / Daily Progress staff writer
Oct 25, 2002

 
There is no truth to the rumor that Bryson Spinner disappeared from the Virginia football program because Elton Brown got hungry one night and ate him. That's strictly hearsay.

As appetizing as the former Cavaliers' quarterback might have appeared, big Elton Brown had already started to cut back on the size of his meals by the time Spinner left school. Brown had other things on his mind.

"Man, I used to toss down a few Wendy's burgers at a time," said Brown, a once-massive offensive guard from Hampton High School, now a solid link in Virginia's offensive line as a sophomore.

He weighs in at between 315 and 320 pounds these days, way down from the 350 that he reported when he arrived for his first crack at college football. As soon as Al Groh got the official weigh-in report in August of 2001, the coach called Big Elton into his office.

"Coach told me I needed to be at a weight where I could take 70 to 75 snaps a game and at 350 pounds, I couldn't do it," said Brown.

Groh also envisioned Brown as a pulling guard to lead some plays around the edges. A 350-pound guy couldn't get to the edge, let alone get out front of a running back to lead interference.

In came the nutrition. Out went the stops to as assortment of fast food chains.

Brown got down to about 330 pounds by the end of last season, when Groh had moved him into the starting lineup as a true freshman right guard. Still the 330 was a bit much. Eating was still the issue.

Basketball coach Pete Gillen, who coaches Elton's cousin, Elton Brown on the UVa basketball team ... I know, I know, it's a bit confusing ... said he used to drop by Basketball Elton's room for a late-night check last season and there they would be: Elton and Elton sitting there playing video games with pizza boxes strewn across the room.

You see, there's a Football Elton and a Basketball Elton. While they're both rather huge guys, they are not one in the same, which some fans apparently thought last year. They are cousins, but Football Elton doesn't play basketball. Basketball Elton doesn't play football.

Both, however, are not the men they used to be. They both hit the exercise and diet trail and lost a human being between them.

"Me and Elton talked about that a lot last year," said Football Elton. "We criticized each other on our games. I told him, 'Hey, if you'd lose some pounds, you'll play better.' And he said back to me, 'YOU lose some pounds and you'll play better.' I think we took each other's advice."

Football Elton doesn't eat hamburgers or hot dogs anymore, but he really doesn't miss that lifestyle or those added pounds.

"I had to watch the things I ate, how much I ate," said Football Elton. "Now that I look back, it really helped me. I'd rather give them things up and be able to play like I am now, rather than be struggling out there for four quarters."

He's not struggling anymore. Brown has twice been nominated for ACC offensive lineman of the week for his efforts. He graded out at 90 percent against North Carolina last week and is helping the offensive line mount a stronger running attack for Virginia.

"He can really get out and run," said Groh of his big pulling guard. "And he can do something when he gets there. He was mowing 'em down pretty good [against UNC]."

If he wasn't mowing 'em down, he was scaring them to death.

"Coach called me to his office two weeks ago and said, 'You know, you've been playing for a while now. It's time to step your game up and take it to another level,'" said Brown of the conversation. "He was talking about when I get out there and pulling around the corner, I have to lay these guys out, crush 'em. That's what I've been trying to do the past couple of weeks."

Sometimes it's not easy being 315 pounds, pulling to your left, leading the block for the running back, while trying to hit a sometimes smaller target in the way.

Take last week for example.

"You just try to put your body on them," said Brown. "Against Carolina the other day, I got out there and I looked at one little cornerback and his eyes got so big, he just jumped out of the way. I missed him completely, but it was kind of like I made my block because he was out of the way, out of the play. If he or anyone else stays in my way, I'm going to take them out."

Brown draws inspiration from Dallas Cowboys All-Pro offensive guard Larry Allen, considered the cream of the crop, particularly as a pulling guard who buries anything in his way into the turf. There's a quote from Allen on Brown's locker that talks about the matter. Something like "anyone gets in my way, I'm going to punk them."

For us old-school guys, punking 'em, simply means plow them under on the football field, something that Brown is becoming more adept at each week.

He is also proud that his pass blocking ability has improved because he is all about keeping pass rushers off his quarterback, Matt Schaub.

Brown has become more of a leader on the line, something that he and right tackle Mike Mullen have accepted because they quickly became the only experienced linemen in the program once center Kevin Bailey went down with a knee injury the second week of the season.

Big E has become a true team player and while it would be nice to be honored as ACC lineman of the week, his happiness doesn't hinge on honors.

"If you want to play a position with fame, offensive guard is not the position for you," said Brown. "If you play offensive line, you're not going to get no fame. I watched one of the NFL's greatest moments films and Korey Stringer said that offensive linemen just gotta love football.

"I look at it as, the better the backs look, the better I look. It might not show on paper, but I get a thrill out of watching them rush for 100 yards because I know I did my job."

Maybe before too long, fans will finally realize that he's a football player only and not a two-sport phenom.

"There was a lot of confusion on campus last year because me and my cousin have the same name," said Brown. "It hasn't been bad this year. I think they are starting to know there's a Football Elton and a Basketball Elton."

Last year, Football Elton was enjoying a meal in the dining hall when some guy came up to him and said, "So, after the football season, how do you think you're going to handle this basketball thing?'

Football Elton had to laugh and explain to the unknowing stranger that he didn't play basketball, that there was another Elton Brown. Unlike Superman and Clark Kent or Michael and Janet Jackson, you do see Elton and Elton together. All the time.

"That's the only person I really hang out with a lot," said Football Elton. "Family is important to me and I'm glad he's here."

But even that presents another problem.

"I am kind of getting tired of the question, 'Hey, Elton, where's Elton?'" he said.

Maybe these guys need a nickname to help end the confusion or at least to simplify things. Let's see, the Alleghenies, the Rockies, the Blue Ridge, they're all taken.

Got any suggestions?

 

 

U.Va. visits Ga. Tech, first of five hardy foes
By ED MILLER, The Virginian-Pilot
© October 26, 2002

Virginia opened the season against three opponents that played in bowl games last year and have spent time in the top 25 this season.
Turns out, that wasn’t the meat of the Cavaliers’ schedule after all. The real heavy lifting begins today, when Virginia (6-2, 4-1 ACC) travels to Georgia Tech (4-3, 1-3) for the first of five remaining games against opponents with a combined record of 30-7, the second-toughest remaining schedule in the country.

The Cavaliers, seeking a seventh win that would make them bowl eligible, are unlikely to be favored in any of their remaining games. They’re five-point underdogs today and almost certainly won’t be the oddsmakers’ choice at No. 18 Penn State, against defending ACC champ Maryland, No. 12 N.C. State or at No. 3 Virginia Tech.

The Cavaliers’ reaction: So what?

“At the end of the day, after 60 minutes of football, we feel like we can get a win,” safety Shernard Newby said.

It has usually taken the full 60 minutes. Virginia has won five games when trailing or tied at the half, and has outscored opponents 177-76 in the final two quarters.

“Every play of every game has been really important,” coach Al Groh said. “I think that sharpens an individual as well as a team. It sharpens your competitive edge.”

Over the years, Virginia’s games with Georgia Tech have been as competitive as any other rivalry. Virginia won 39-38 last season on a hook-and-lateral play with 22 seconds left. The only game since 1996 that has been decided by more than a touchdown was Tech’s 35-0 victory in 2000.

No matter the outcome today, Virginia has already proven many people wrong. Picked to finish eighth in the ACC, the Cavaliers, winners of six straight, are a half-game out of first place, behind Florida State and N.C. State.

“We find ourselves in a position where we’re part of the race,” Groh said. “If we can win again, we’ll stay part of the race. It has all the feeling to me of being in the playoffs.”

Groh said during preseason that he understood why the Cavaliers were picked to finish so low. He understood it, but didn’t agree with it.

“Pickers pick and players play,” Groh said at the time.

Privately, he told his team he thought they had a chance to be good. Much was going to depend, however, on the development of a talented freshmen class. If the kids grew up quickly, the Cavaliers could be competitive.

They have. Six freshmen will start today, and several more will play key roles.

Freshman Wali Lundy leads the team in rushing and receiving. His classmate D’Brickashaw Ferguson starts at left tackle. Linebacker Darryl Blackstock has tied the ACC record for sacks by a freshman, with eight. Tom Hagan has been the team’s punter since day one.

“It’s pretty apparent the talent level was honest,” Groh said. “It wasn’t just hype.”

The rapid development of the freshmen, combined with the emergence of quarterback Matt Schaub and continued strong play of veterans such as linebacker Angelo Crowell and receiver Billy McMullen has put Virginia at least a year ahead of even Groh’s ambitious schedule.

“I haven’t changed my tact on this at all since Jan. 15, 2001,” Groh said. “We’re here to win championships, not to finish second, not to have bake sales, not to look good.”

Groh’s preferred metaphor is to call the season a marathon. As he put it earlier this week, the Cavaliers are about to ascend Heartbreak Hill.
 

 

 

ACC title or bust for Cavaliers
Head coach Al Groh wants his surging team focused on a much bigger goal than a mere bowl bid.

By DOUG DOUGHTY
THE ROANOKE TIMES

There is at least one observer of Virginia football who isn't viewing the Cavaliers as a possible bowl participant.
That would be head coach Al Groh, who has chosen to take a different perspective. Groh sees the Cavaliers (6-2 ACC, 4-1) as a contender for the conference championship.

"I haven't changed my tack on this at all since Jan.15, 2001," Groh said. "We're here to win championships, not to finish second, not to have bake sales, not to look good.

"We're here to try and compete and win the championship. If you're in the business for any other reason, then you've got the wrong target."

The Cavaliers, a preseason choice for eighth after tying for seventh last year, find themselves one-half game behind co-leaders Florida State and North Carolina State as they visit Georgia Tech (4-3, 1-3) today.

Virginia will be looking for its seventh straight victory against a Georgia Tech team that has lost two straight and will play the rest of the season without tailback Tony Hollings, who was leading Division I-A in rushing after four games, and two-time All-ACC defensive lineman Greg Gathers.

Georgia Tech, a 4 1/2 -point favorite, was picked to finish fourth in the ACC before the season and the Cavaliers have not beaten a team picked in the top four. Their victories have come over No.5 Clemson, No.6 North Carolina, No.7 Wake Forest and No.9 Duke.

One more victory will make Virginia bowl-eligible, but the Cavaliers are facing the toughest part of their schedule. Their remaining games are with Georgia Tech, 18th-ranked Penn State (5-2), No.12 N.C. State (9-0), Maryland (5-2) and No.3 Virginia Tech (7-0).

"This is a marathon, not a sprint," Groh said, "and there are still five laps to go. You know, in that Boston Marathon, there's Heartbreak Hill? A lot of pretenders fall out on Heartbreak Hill."

Groh never publicly set a goal for this team, but "things are happening faster than they might have, record-wise," he said.

"I'm not going to say that I predicted it and I'm certainly not going to say I'm surprised by it. People said, 'Are you upset [at being picked eighth] or are the players upset?' If anybody remembers, I said, 'Coaches coach. Pickers pick.'

"I told the players on the first day of spring practice, 'Fellas, I think we have a chance to have a good team.'"

Groh has gotten considerable production out of his freshman class, including leading rusher and receiver Wali Lundy and defensive end Darryl Blackstock, who leads the Cavaliers in tackles for loss and sacks.

There are seven recruited seniors on the UVa roster, one of whom, safety Chris Williams, is out for the season. Seven members of a top-10 recruiting class have started at least one game, including punter Tom Hagan from Roanoke.

"It's pretty apparent that the talent level was honest," Groh said. "It wasn't just hype. There are five or six of the most talented players in that class who aren't contributing."

Ten members of the class are being redshirted, including injured Parade All-America linebacker Kai Parham; three signees are in prep school, including another Parade All-America linebacker, Ahmad Brooks; and SuperPrep All-America cornerback Marcus Hamilton has missed six games since injuring a knee at Florida State.

If the Cavaliers have arrived, they are ahead of schedule.

"I think that would be accurate," Groh said.

On the other hand, have they arrived? The next six weeks, including an open date next Saturday, will determine that. Virginia has been outgained in each of its last five games and trailed or been tied in the fourth quarter of four of them.

"We find ourselves in a position where we're part of the race," Groh said. "If we can win again, we'll stay part of the race. It has all the feeling to me of being in the playoffs."

 

 

 

Group A running back could go to next level

Odoms hard to beat for Lithuanians

By DOUG DOUGHTY
 Exclusive to roanoke.com by 5 p.m. Fridays
Recent history would indicate there is no guarantee that a Group A football prospect will get a Division I-A scholarship offer in any year, but college recruiters already have an eye on a player in this year's Group A junior class.

Brad Bradley, the coach at William Campbell High School south of Lynchburg, recently accompanied Cedric Peerman and Peerman's parents to Virginia's game against Clemson.

The Cavaliers "have expressed the most interest," Bradley said, "and they're the ones he seems most interested in right now."

Peerman, who is no relation to UVa running back Alvin Pearman and doesn't spell his name the same way, has carried 105 times for 1,085 yards and 25 touchdowns for William Campbell, which is 7-0 and ranked second in the state in Group A.

Peerman also has 14 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns, not surprising given Bradley's expertise in the run-and-shoot.

"To be honest with you, he was a receiver before he was a running back," Bradley said. "He started in the slot as a sophomore and didn't start at running back until the eighth game last year."

Bradley said he has timed Peerman, a 5-foot-10 1/2, 189-pounder, in 4.4 seconds. Peerman ran a 4.5 40 at Clemson's summer camp.

Tennessee, West Virginia and Clemson are among the schools that have made inquiries about Peerman, who hasn't heard much from Virginia Tech, Bradley said.

"He's a great student," said Bradley, who reported that Peerman has a 3.7 grade-point average and scored 790 on the SAT as a sophomore, before he had the benefit of junior math.

BRADLEY SAID IT MIGHT BE LATE in the year before William Campbell quarterback Shea Boyd meets Division I eligibility requirements, but Boyd, a 6-1, 202-pound senior, is "a [Michael] Vick on our level," Bradley added.

Bradley said Boyd is on pace to surpass the numbers posted by a couple of record-setting quarterbacks he tutored at Lord Botetourt High School, Josh Aliveto and Anthony Ford. Bradley said it is not inconceivable that Boyd will prep for a year at Hargrave Military Academy in hopes of boosting his Division I-A stock.

The only Division I-A recruit to come out of Group A last year was defensive back Brandon Myles from Goochland High School, although Myles did not qualify academically. Myles who committed to West Virginia but was not on a list of signees distributed by the school, is paying his way this year in hopes of playing for the Mountaineers next year.

There is no good reason why college recruiters should overlook Group A players. Defensive end Lamar Cobb from Gretna has had a respectable career at Virginia Tech and ex-Honaker quarterback Heath Miller might be the All-ACC tight end this year for Virginia.

Other Tech scholarship players from Group A include Josh Spence (Floyd) and Justin Hamilton (Clintwood). Hamilton played in the Lonesome Pine District, the same conference that produced Powell Valley's Thomas and Julius Jones.

The only Group A products on UVa's current roster are Miller and safety Shernard Newby (Surry County), not counting Ryan Childress, a walk-on deep snapper from Shawsville who was awarded a grant before the 2002 season.

AN ASSISTANT COACH at a high-major basketball program said that 6-foot-10, 240-pound Roanoke Catholic senior Paulius Joneliunas is "very, very good" but suggested that South Carolina's lead may be insurmountable.

In fact, some coaching staffs may be reluctant to pursue Joneliunas because of the perception that South Carolina head coach Dave Odom and his sons, Missouri assistant Lane Odom and American University assistant Ryan Odom, have cornered the market on Joneliunas' homeland of Lithuania.

American University has a commitment from 6-4 Linas Lekavicius, who plays for the Miller School in Albemarle County. Lekavicius was named Central Virginia Player of the Year in 2001 by the Daily Progress in Charlottesville.

Missouri is seen as a major player for 6-8 Lithuanian Linas Kleiza, all-star game at the Five-Star Camp at Hampden-Sydney. Virginia is one of the schools that has offered Kleiza, who plays at Montrose Christian Academy in Rockville, Md., and has indicated he will sign in the spring.

Before going to South Carolina, Dave Odom had Darius Songaila for three years at Wake Forest. Then, Odom landed Vytas Danleius, who elected to play for new Deacons' coach Skip Prosser after Odom left in the spring of 2001.

Odom inherited 6-10 Lithuanian Marius Petravicius from the staff of South Caroline predecessor Eddie Fogler.

VIRGINIA TECH NOTIFIED the media this week that prospects are not to be interviewed while on campus, an apparent reaction to a pair of interviews conducted last week with Tyrone Moss, a highly regarded running back from Pompano Beach, Fla.

“The purpose of this e-mail is to remind you of NCAA Bylaw 13.11.4," Tech compliance officer Tim Parker wrote. "It states: 'A member institution shall not publicize (or arrange for publicity of) a prospect's visit to the institution's campus.' Interpretation of this rule also includes 'not permitting contact between prospects and media representatives.' "

ODDS 'N' ENDS: Among the visitors to the Virginia-North Carolina football game was Ahmad Bradshaw, a junior running back from Graham High School in Bluefield. The most cerlebrated visitor was linebacker Jermaine Dias, a preseason All-American from Hackensack, N.J. ... Terry Meeks, the coach at Atlee High School outside Richmond, said Ohio University was the first Division I-A program to offer a grant to Matt Miller, a 6-3 1/2, 300-pound defensive and offensive lineman. Wake Forest and Duke also have expressed interest in Miller, a 4.0 student. ... The state's top-rated running-back prospect, Isaiah Gardner from Salem High School in Virginia Beach, did not play against Cox High School last week. "Indications are he has been suspended indefinitely," The Virginian Pilot said. Gardner has made an oral commitment to Notre Dame.

 

 

Cavs Put Conference on Call
U-Va. Can Become Bowl-Eligible, but ACC Title Is the Focus


By Jim Reedy
Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, October 26, 2002; Page D06


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Oct. 25 -- Predicted by the ACC media to finish eighth in the conference, Virginia would become bowl-eligible on Saturday with a win at Georgia Tech. The Cavaliers would have seven consecutive victories in a season for the fifth time in the program's 113-year history. A victory would also snap a string of recent crushing losses in Atlanta and could move Virginia into the top 25 for the first time in three years.

However, Cavaliers Coach Al Groh said those are not goals his team has thought much about.

"No, our mind-set right now is to compete for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship," Groh said.

That seems possible for Virginia (6-2, 4-1), which sits in third place behind No. 11 Florida State and No. 12 North Carolina State, the two teams with undefeated ACC records. A bowl bid would be nice, Groh said, but that is not the goal he had in mind when he was hired 22 months ago.

"I haven't changed my tack on this at all," he said. "We're here to win championships. Not to finish second, not to have bake sales, not to look good. We're here to try to compete and win the championship. I think if you're in business for any other purpose, then you have the wrong target."

Beating the Yellow Jackets (4-3, 1-3) appears especially important for any conference championship hopes because the Cavaliers have one of the toughest November schedules in the country. Their final four opponents -- No. 18 Penn State, North Carolina State, defending ACC champion Maryland and No. 3 Virginia Tech -- have a combined record of 26-4.

"In terms of staying in the hunt for the championship, this is like the playoffs, because one missed step and probably our chances aren't very good," Groh said.

Few outside observers thought the Cavaliers would be talking about the conference championship at this point in the season. A low-level bowl bid seemed a more reasonable goal for a team that planned to play about a dozen members of its highly touted freshman class. Nine players expected to start Saturday had no college experience -- outside of special teams -- before this season.

Many of the freshmen have had no problem stepping into prominent roles right away. Tailback Wali Lundy leads the team in rushing yards and in receptions and is fourth in the conference with 124.8 all-purpose yards per game. Outside linebacker Darryl Blackstock has eight sacks, more than any other freshman in the nation and as many as anyone in the ACC. Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, tight end Heath Miller and defensive end Brennan Schmidt also have quickly become solid starters.

With a cast of veterans that includes senior co-captains Billy McMullen and Angelo Crowell and junior quarterback Matt Schaub -- who is on pace to set the single-season program records for completions, attempts, passing yards, touchdown passes and completion percentage -- Virginia righted itself after opening the season with consecutive losses to Colorado State and Florida State.

They are doing more of what Groh calls "things that make you win" and fewer of the things that "can cause you to lose." In five of the past six games, for instance, Virginia has had fewer turnovers than its opponent.

"If you turn the ball over, you're going to lose. That's the way it is," said senior inside linebacker Merrill Robertson, who played the best game of his career in last weekend's 37-27 win against North Carolina.

To extend their win streak to seven, the Cavaliers will have to win at Georgia Tech, which they haven't done since 1994. The Yellow Jackets have also played a roll in snapping a pair of Virginia winning streaks, both times by the score of 41-38. One such loss knocked the 1990 team -- the last Cavaliers team to win seven consecutive games -- from the top spot in the national rankings and began a season-ending streak of four losses in five games. In 1998, the Cavaliers were 5-0 and ranked seventh in the nation before losing on a missed field goal at Georgia Tech.

Then again, none of Virginia's current players played in those painful losses. On a team with a second-year coaching staff and only three fifth-year seniors, the institutional memory barely stretches back to cover the 35-0 loss at Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2000.

"It was pretty painful to watch us play as poorly as we did," said Schaub, who was a backup on the sideline that day. "It was a big game for us down there and we just didn't do anything well in all aspects of the game. Hopefully, this year we can turn that around."

 

 

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS PREVIEW
2002 Record: 4-3, 2002 Atlantic Coast Conference Record: 1-3
Dubious Distinctions: So close and yet so far. Since 1997 the Yellow Jackets have lost 17 regular season games. 12 of those losses were by a touchdown or less, including two to Florida State (1999, 2000) and three to Virginia (1997, 1999, 2001).

Stellar Stats: Over the last four years, the Yellow jackets have averaged 34.3 points per game and have not ended a season scoring less than 31.2. Georgia Tech is one of just six schools in the nation that have been ranked in the Top 25 of the final Associated Press each of the last five years.

Overview

New Tech football coach Chan Gailey brings considerable experience to the helm of Georgia Tech's solid football program. With over 25 years of coaching in the college and professional ranks, Gailey's resume matches up nicely or exceeds anyone from the plethora of present ACC head coaching personalities that have littered the ACC landscape since the late 90s.

What Gailey found upon arriving in Atlanta is a program that has tremendous experience and depth at many positions and an abundance of young talent to launch his tenure. Gailey's staff returned 15 starters from a 2001 team that many felt underachieved based on preseason expectations. Only FSU (53) outpaces the Yellow Jackets in the number of returning lettermen, as the Yellow Jackets are tied for second with Clemson at 46. Only Maryland returns as many All-ACC performers as the Yellow Jackets (5 - Nat Dorsey, Greg Gathers, Luke Manget, Kelley Rhino, and Jeremy Muyers).

But no team in America may be more snake bitten than the Wreck. Junior tailback Tony Hollings is out for the season after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn lateral meniscus in his right knee against Brigham Young. In his four games at tailback, Hollings rushed 92 times for 633 yards (6.9 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. With averages of 158.2 yards and 16.5 points per game, he led the nation in rushing and was second in scoring after four games. Tech's career leader in sacks (31) and tackles for loss (57), a two-time First-Team All-ACC (2000-01) and second-team All-American in 2001, Greg Gathers will miss the rest of the 2002 season due to a kidney ailment. If that weren't enough the Jackets have missed playing time from starters Marvious Hester, Daryl Smith, All-Conference kicker Luke Manget has been hurt, Keyaron Fox, Jermaine Hatch and so on and so on and so on. The big question might be how the Jackets are 4-3.

Defense

Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta is a 1982 graduate of Virginia, where he lettered three years as a defensive back. Tenuta began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Cavaliers.

Tenuta's job in Atlanta was made dramatically easier with 9 returning starters. The problem for the Jackets has mentioned earlier has been injuries. Tech's career leader in sacks (31) and tackles for loss (57), a two-time First-Team All-ACC (2000-01) and second-team All-American in 2001, Greg Gathers will miss the rest of the 2002 season and apply for a medical hardship due to a kidney ailment.

The heart of the Georgia Tech defense is its talented linebacker corps. The trio of Daryl Smith, Keyaron Fox and Recardo Wimbush rank one-two-three on the team in tackles, combining for 143 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and five sacks. Wimbush is the elder statesman of the Tech defense with 44 consecutive games started and 323 career tackles, which ranks 13th in Tech history. This season he has 42 tackles, two tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. However, Tech must play this week without Fox, who is out with a sprained ankle. Fox sustained the injury very early in the game against Maryland, has 50 tackles on the season with eight tackles for loss. Add to that Tech's leading tackler and the player who is third on the team with seven tackles for loss and a preseason Butkus Award nominee, Daryl Smith will also miss the Virginia game. Adding to Tenuta's woes is the fact that Georgia Tech's leader in interceptions from a year ago Marvious Hester may miss the Virginia game as well. Ather Brown (Jr. 6-3 230) plays on the opposite side of Wimbush and Matthew Etheridge (Sr. 6-0 222) will likely replace Smith in the middle.

The defensive front consists of Fred Wright (Sr. 6-4 269) and Tony Hargrove (So. 6-4 266) at the defensive ends and tackles Travis Parker (Fr. 6-5 260) and Alfred Malone (So. 6-4 290). Malone started 9 games last season and contributed 16 tackles.

The 'Wreck includes a secondary unit with 3 of 4 returnees and a highly touted redshirt freshman (Reuben Houston) that has really not improved from the level of play seen in past years. A year ago Tech gave up an average of 216 yards per game passing and is giving up 204 ypg this season. Cory Collins (Sr. 5-11 199) has started the last 26 games and finished 2001 with 74 tackles, 2 interceptions and 9 pass breakups. Two-time All ACC free safety Jeremy Muyres (Jr. 6-3 205) is a ferocious hitter who ended last season third on the team in tackles and added 3 interceptions. He has 37 tackles this season. Marvious Hester (Sr. 5-11 180) who started every game last year for the Jackets and finished the season with three picks and breaking up a team leading 12 passes will likely miss the game in Atlanta. Jonathan Cox who started five games in 2000 and played in 10 games last season has delivered 27 tackles this season including 2 tackles for loss and a sack.

It does appear the injuries are starting to show, especially for Chan Gailey's defense. In Tech's first five games the Jackets gave up an outstanding 14.6 points per game; in the last two games against Wake and Maryland the Yellow Jackets have given up 29 points per game. Georgia Tech also held their first five opponents to 103 ypg rushing while Wake and Maryland averaged 215.5.

Offense

Georgia Tech lost a lot of offense to graduation. Their leading rusher, receiver and passer all departed taking with them 76% of the teams touchdowns, 70% of last years rushing total, 92% of the Tech's passing output from 2001 and 28% of their receiving total. While replacing quality players such as Kelley Campbell, George Godsey, and Joe Burns seemed difficult, few programs have recruited with the consistent level of excellence Georgia Tech has enjoyed over three of the past four years.

When a team loses its two year starting quarterback, the top rusher, and the all-time career leading wideout, immediately the perception is the offense will have a rocky season. Don't be so sure! The wide receivers are as deep and talented as any in the ACC - a conference with as much quality at the wideout positions as any in the nation. Will Glover (Sr. 5-10 180) has continued where he left off last season (53 receptions, 590 yards, 4 touchdowns) with a 24 catch, 231 yard and 3 touchdown performance. So has Tech's leading receiver Kerry Watkins Sr. 5-11 186). Watkins had 136 receptions for over 1800 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. The Jacket senior wideout is the ACC's leading receiver with 5.8 receptions per game. He also ranks second in receiving yards at 93.6 per game. The LaPlace, La., native has 39 catches for 655 yards (16.8-yard average) and three touchdowns and is averaging 134.4 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks third in the league. He stands in the Top 30 nationally in all three categories. Also returning to form after some nagging injuries is Jonathan Smith (Jr. 5-10 183) with 18 catches for 166 yards.

Among Gailey's challenges entering the 2002 was selecting a new quarterback, finding a reliable running back that can rush for 800 or so yards, and getting the team to work effectively as they adapt to his coaching style and approach. Tennessee transfer A. J. Suggs won the starting job at quarterback and while not matching George Godsey's 1953 yards and 279 yards per game average from the first seven games of a year ago, he's been serviceable, completing 105 of 180 passes for 1202 yards and a 7-6 touchdown to interception ratio.

The running back situation got more complicated with the loss of their most experienced tailback in Sidney Ford and the loss of Jermaine Hatch who has endured an injury plagued career. It appeared the Yellow Jackets had found the solution at running back with the impressive debut of former safety and special teams player Tony Hollings who was moved to tailback last spring. Hollings opened the season with four straight 100-yard games and was the nation's leading rusher (158.3) and second-leading scorer (16.5 ppg) before sustaining a season ending torn ligament in his right knee against BYU.

With Georgia Tech's tailback position decimated by injuries, the Yellow Jackets have gotten contributions from a pair of unlikely sources in fifth-year senior Gordon Clinkscale and redshirt freshman P.J. Daniels. Clinkscale had been a little-used reserve until this season when he found a niche as Tech's third-down back. Daniels, a walk-on, earned his first significant playing time against Maryland and scored Tech's only touchdown on a one-yard run. He has averaged 32.2 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 59-yarder against Wake Forest.

The Tech line has been consistent if not spectacular. Junior Hugh Reilly (6-4 285) moved from the right guard spot he manned a year ago to play center. Reilly started every game last fall and has good size, strength and athletic ability and according to Georgia Tech play-by-play announcer Wes Durham is having an outstanding season. Filling Reilly's former position at right guard is Raymond Roberts-Blake (Sr. 6-2 278). A steady player, Roberts-Blake served as both a back up and has started 26 games over his three and a half year career. Kyle Wallace (So. 6-5 280) who worked his way into the rotation at right guard by the end of last season starts at right tackle. After being named to the All Freshmen ACC Team by the Sporting News, Leon Robinson (So. 6-4 310) returns as the starter at left guard along side All-ACC candidate Nat Dorsey (So. 6-6 315) to form a very promising tandem on the left side of the Tech offensive line. Dorsey, the first freshman since Dre' Bly to be named to the ACC First Team was also selected as a First Team All American selection by The Sporting News.

Special Teams

Ranked by college football analyst Phil Steele as the 13th best special team unit in the nation, Georgia Tech has the edge in this category on virtually every team they have played. When you consider Tech returns two-time All-ACC kicker Luke Manget (Sr. 5-9 176) and the league's all-time record holder in punt return yardage Kelley Rhino (Sr. 5-7 179) that is quite a base to start from. Rhino averaged 10.1 yards per return in 2001 and he has maintained that average this season returning 22 punts for 238 yards and a 10.8 yards per return average. In kick-off returns Kerry Watkins averages 21.7 yards per return. Manget was second in the ACC in scoring last season, first in field goals made, and has kicked a school record 155 consecutive PATs. Chris Morehouse and incumbent Dan Dyke, with a career 42.3 yards per punt average have shared the punting duties this season and have a combined 42.2 yard average with 11 punts placed inside the 20 and produced a second in the league 37.5 net punting average.

Final Thoughts

Tech coach Chan Gailey says the one of the keys for his team is to manage Virginia's two-personality defense. On first and second down the Cavaliers are a bend but don't break crew according to Gailey, but on 3rd down, he says, "They come after you." Tech has been successful in the conference this season converting on third down at a 50% clip good enough for first in the league.

Gailey also said that it was critical for his team to avoid the big play against Virginia. One area where the Hoos have had some big play success is on special teams. Georgia Tech is second in the league in kickoff coverage (behind the Cavaliers) while Virginia is second in the ACC (13th in the nation) in kickoff return average led by UNC hero Marquis Weeks (40.9 ypr average).

The Hoos must travel into Bobby Dodd, a place they have not won since Bill Lewis was running the Yellow Jackets program. Winning in Hotlanta is not impossible for the 2002 Hoos, but it will be quite a challenge. This game has generally included more fireworks than the 4th of July and we doubt Saturday will be any different. Look for the Hoos to end the home team winning streak in this series with a win.

 

 

 

Series may take atypical turn
Fewer points, yards expected
John Hollis - Staff
Saturday, October 26, 2002
 

If a close but high-scoring game is what you seek, history says you'll enjoy the game today between Georgia Tech and Virginia at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets and Cavaliers have waged one of the ACC's most entertaining and competitive series in recent years, combining to average nearly 1,000 yards and 70 points a game in the past five meetings. In last year's thriller in Charlottesville --- a 39-38 decision for the Cavaliers --- Tech and UVa. rolled up a cumulative 77 points, 56 first downs and 1,021 yards total offense.

Fittingly, the game wasn't decided until Virginia pulled off a memorable hook-and-ladder play in the game's frantic final moments. The game-winning play was the seventh touchdown --- and the seventh lead change, as well --- of the fourth quarter.

"With those two offenses, anything was possible," Tech strong safety Cory Collins said.

Second-year Cavaliers coach Al Groh was at a loss to explain why this series has in recent seasons become such a wild affair.

"I think part of it is just happenstance, and I think part of it might have to do with how systems match up on one another," Groh said. "Player matchups are important, but system matchups are important, too."

The teams have split their past six meetings, with five of those decided by a touchdown or less. Virginia, which comes in on a six-game winning streak, has not won in Atlanta since 1994. That at least partly explains why it is a five-point underdog to a Tech team that has lost its past two games.

Things could be different this year. Chan Gailey now coaches Tech, and the Yellow Jackets haven't resembled the same potent offense of past years. Likewise, Virginia is a young team but has upgraded talent from a year ago.

Collins says he foresees a low-scoring defensive struggle where field position could help determine the outcome.

Groh agreed. "Circumstances and matchups caused those type of games [in the past]," he said. "I think we're starting all over again."

 

 

 

Weeks provides strong boost
TD on kick return energizes Virginia


By Dave Johnson
Daily Press

Published October 26, 2002

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Finally, Marquis Weeks got his chance to run. And run he did, as fast and as far as he could, into history. Not everybody ties an NCAA record that, barring a rule change, will never be broken.

Weeks' 100-yard kickoff return last week not only jump-started Virginia's 37-27 comeback victory against North Carolina, it provided a much-needed boost for Weeks. It had been eight weeks since he started at tailback in the Cavaliers' season opener, six weeks since he fumbled away his turn in the rotation. So when he crossed the goal line with the longest kickoff return possible, Weeks finally felt satisfaction.

"I didn't know what I was going to do," he said. "I didn't want to get an excessive celebration flag."

All things considered, he might have been entitled. In August, Virginia coach Al Groh hailed Weeks as one of the preseason's top performers. The Cavaliers began the season with four tailbacks expecting to play: Alvin Pearman, Wali Lundy, Michael Johnson and Weeks. Most figured Pearman would start the opener against Colorado State, but Weeks started instead.

He ran for 2 yards on second down, was the intended receiver on a third-down screen pass and, mysteriously, was done for the night. The next week, he played the final series of a 40-19 loss at Florida State. A week later, after Johnson sprained his ankle, Weeks got more work. But with the Cavaliers leading South Carolina 34-21 midway through the fourth quarter, Weeks fumbled at the Virginia 8-yard line.

Even though the Cavs held on, Weeks was crushed. "That fumble killed me," he said.

Weeks hasn't had a rushing attempt in the last five games. When Johnson missed four weeks, Groh juggled Lundy and Pearman. When he absolutely had to have somebody else, Groh used backup quarterback Marques Hagans.

"That was a crucial fumble, so I could understand if the coaches lost confidence for a little bit," Weeks said. "But the only way you can get better is if you keep playing."

Weeks' only playing time lately has been on special teams, but he has made the most of that. He has nine tackles on the kickoff and punt teams, and even when he doesn't make the stop, he's usually the first one downfield. Since he began returning kicks four games ago, he has emerged as a threat. His 172 return yards last week set a school record.

Weeks is averaging 40.9 yards per return, which, if he had enough attempts to qualify, would lead the nation. True, 100 yards will boost an average. But even without it, he'd be averaging 31 yards a return, which would be third in the nation. This isn't exactly the role Weeks wants, but for now he has embraced it.

"That speaks to the guy's character," special-teams standout Alex Seals said. "This year, he was probably expecting to play a lot at running back and he's not. But he's focused his attention on helping the team out anyway he can. That's very, very respectable."

Groh pointed out that, after Weeks' 100-yard return, he took a quick water break and then made the tackle on UNC's kick return. Actually, Shernard Newby made that stop. But Weeks was a step from it.

"He doesn't have a personal agenda," Groh said. "I'm sure he'd like to carry the ball 30 times a game. He's done an admirable job with that circumstance."

Weeks still hopes to get another chance.

"A lot of things happen during the season, especially at the running back position," he said. "They take a lot of hits and things can just happen. At any given moment, I could be playing. I'm not hoping anyone gets hurt or anything, but I know how football is. We've a lot of games left and hopefully they'll put me in sometime."
 

 

 

Cavaliers-Jackets may put on show
Pounded in 2000, U.Va. won thriller in '01

BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Oct 26, 2002


The game wasn't televised, so its audience was limited to the 52,000-plus people in Scott Stadium that night last fall. But Virginia and Georgia Tech, as often happens when they meet in football, produced a shoot-out worthy of an ESPN Classic.

The ACC rivals combined for 77 points and 1,021 yards of offense. Georgia Tech's George Godsey passed for 486 yards. U.Va.'s Bryson Spinner threw for 327 yards and five touchdowns. There were seven lead changes in the fourth quarter alone, the last coming with 22 seconds left following a trick play. Spinner passed 10 yards to wideout Billy McMullen, who lateraled to tailback Alvin Pearman, who raced 27 yards to the end zone to lift the Wahoos to a 39-38 victory.

Few nights were more special for Al Groh in his first season as Virginia's coach. Ask senior linebacker Merrill Robertson about the Yellow Jackets, however, and he conjures up images of disappointment.

"What comes to my mind is my sophomore year, when we went down there and they beat us 35-0 on ESPN," said Robertson, the Cavaliers' leading tackler. "All I can think about is how they dominated us two years ago. That's a little motivation."

U.Va. is back in Atlanta for the first time since taking that Thursday night pounding in November 2000. The Cavs (4-1, 6-2) meet the Jackets (1-3, 4-3) at Bobby Dodd Stadium this afternoon.

A victory would make Virginia eligible for a bowl. Good luck, though, trying to get Groh or his players to discuss the possibility of postseason play. They've been focused on the ACC race.

N.C. State (4-0, 9-0) and Florida State (4-0, 5-2) are tied for the conference lead. But if U.Va. were to win its final three ACC games, which include a Nov. 16 date with N.C. State in Charlottesville, and the Wolfpack were to knock off FSU in Raleigh a week later, the Cavaliers would claim at least a share of the conference crown.

"Every week, any misstep and we're out of the race," Groh said.

U.Va. has won six straight since losing Aug. 31 at Florida State. Not since 1990 have the Cavaliers won seven in a row.

Groh acknowledges his team's progress. He also points out that "this is a marathon, it's not a sprint. There's still five big laps to go. In that Boston Marathon, there's Heartbreak Hill. A lot of pretenders fall out on Heartbreak Hill."

Virginia enters today's game in relatively good health. Two of its opening-game starters, center Kevin Bailey and safety Chris Williams, are out with season-ending knee injuries, but several players have returned recently after significant down time, including reserve cornerback Marcus Hamilton and first-team linebacker Raymond Mann.

Hobbled, though, is true freshman Willie Davis, who made his first start last weekend against North Carolina but then hurt his ankle. Davis isn't expected to play again before Virginia's Nov. 9 game at Penn State.

"What we did was lose, here for the short term at least, one of our more dynamic rookie players," Groh said. "He plays on kickoff coverage, he plays on punt coverage, he plays on punt return, he plays on the nickel [defense], he plays on the goal line and he's one of our backup safeties. So we're going to have to replace this player with a lot of other players."

Georgia Tech's medical situation is more dire. Tailback Tony Hollings, the nation's leading rusher when he tore his ACL last month, is gone for the season, as is defensive end Greg Gathers, the school's all-time leader in sacks. The team's top two tacklers, linebackers Keyaron Fox and Daryl Smith, are banged up and might not play today.

The Jackets' top two wideouts, Kerry Watkins and Will Glover, aren't strangers to the Cavs' secondary. Glover had 13 catches for 172 yards against U.Va. in 2001, and Watkins piled up 161 yards on nine receptions.

Virginia returned all its defensive backs from last season.

"I'm sure they either have amnesia about that one - traumatic amnesia - or very acute memory, which we won't have to appeal to very long," Groh said.