Roof's task at Duke still a tough one
By Jerry Ratcliffe / Daily Progress sports editor
October 21, 2004

Scattershooting around the ACC, yes, the Atlantic and Coastal divisions, while still thinking they should have named one of those divisions for former commissioner Gene Corrigan ...
Meanwhile, Virginia can get back into the ACC race this weekend with a successful road trip to Duke, where coach Ted Roof has had his hands full in trying to reverse the Blue Devils’
football fortunes.
Roof celebrated one year on the job earlier this week, although he was reminded of the anniversary by media attending his press conference, who asked him if it was more of a challenge than he anticipated.
“It always is, isn’t it?” Roof replied. “I think that’s true with anything. It’s been challenging. Lack of challenge hasn’t been a problem.”
The Dookies are 1-5 this season and 0-3 in the league. They haven’t beaten a Division I-A opponent this season and have played 13 freshmen, tied for the second-most nationally with neighbor UNC.

Quote of the week. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden must have wondered what was going on when the bus carrying his team around Memorial Stadium to the spot where they unload for the traditional running down the hill, crashed into the police car Bowden was riding in up front.
At least Bowden kept his sense of humor after the 1-4 start.
“I said, ‘Holy smoke, they’re really mad about this 1-4 thing,’” Bowden joked.
His Tigers won the game to improve to 2-4.

Trouble in Tig Town. Beating Utah State might have helped take some pressure off Bowden, but not for long. He made history by becoming the first ACC coach to reach a bowl game in each of his first five years on the job, but that streak is in serious jeopardy.
Clemson has to win four of its last five games to become bowl eligible against a schedule that goes like this: Maryland, N.C. State, at Miami, at Duke, and South Carolina.
Never in the history of the ACC has a team started 1-4 as Clemson did and made it to a bowl. In fact, of the 63 ACC teams that started 1-4, only four finished .500 or better.

Recruiting update. When Virginia-bound Gretna quarterback Vic Hall piled up 366 yards of total offense last week against Chatham, he surpassed former Hampton star Ronald Curry as the state of Virginia’s all-time total offense leader.
Hall now has 11,525 total yards, which is believed to be an underestimation by those who follow the Hawks’ program. However, it won’t matter as Hall still has several games to play in his quest to take the record to a level that will be quite difficult to break.
Meanwhile, UVa recruiting target Toney Baker, a star running back out of Ragsdale High in Jamestown, N.C., is about to become the Tar Heel state’s all-time rushing leader.
Baker, the Touchdown Maker,
rushed for 232 yards last week and needs only 38 yards this week to break the North Carolina all-time high school mark. Baker’s final list of schools include Virginia, Virginia Tech, UNC, N.C. State and Tennessee. He is planning to come to the UVa vs. Miami game on Nov. 13 to check out Charlottesville.
Baker, 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, has been selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 15. He is considered one of the top four running back prospects in the nation.

Tailspinning Terps. Coach Ralph Friedgen is scratching his head over what happened to Maryland’s offense.
After putting up nearly 700 yards against Duke on Sept. 25, the Terps failed to gain 100 yards of offense against both Georgia Tech and N.C. State the past two weeks.
“I wish I could just wave a magic wand and make this thing start happening,” the Fridge said. “In my career, period, I don’t think I’ve ever had two games like that back-to-back. There may be more unless we get something going.”
Struggling at quarterback is one of the problems, but not the only one.
Maryland, 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the league, is in jeopardy of not winning another game. The Terps have three remaining road games: at Clemson this weekend; Virginia on Nov. 6; and Virginia Tech, Nov. 17. They don’t get a break at home, hosting Florida State on Oct. 30 and Wake Forest on Nov. 27.
That means that two ACC teams that have appeared in bowl games ever since present coaches Friedgen and Clemson’s Tommy Bowden, have been at those respective schools, are likely to not qualify for bowls this season.

Carolina blue. That must be the feeling after the Tar Heels were waxed at Utah after upsetting rival N.C. State the week before.
Carolina gave up a whopping 669 yards of offense to Utah’s spread offense, the most ever allowed by a Tar Heels defense. Now, eight of the 11 worst defensive performances in UNC history have all occurred under current coach John Bunting’s watch.
“It’s embarrassing that they set a school record on us,” Bunting said after the loss.
In the last two games, Carolina has given up 1,246 yards of total offense.

Coker not happy. Miami coach Larry Coker was critical of his team’s defense after a comeback win over Louisville last week. In that game, the Hurricanes gave up 507 yards to the Cardinals, the most surrendered by a Miami team since 2000, when FSU picked up 565.
Ironically, Miami won both games.
Coker called the game a wake-up call and described his team’s tackling as shabby.
“In the national championship game against Ohio State, [the Buckeyes] never missed a tackle,” Coker said. “If you made a six-yard catch, you made six yards. We didn’t do that against Louisville.”

Short yardage ... Deee-fense. The ACC boasts six of the nation’s top 16 total defense teams. ...Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said he will stick with Wyatt Sexton as starting quarterback even though former starter Chris Rix has fully recovered from his injury. ... Said Bowden: “We are on a four-game winning streak with Sexton. If you had a pitcher with a no-hitter going, would you take him out?” ... N.C. State has 29 Floridians on its roster. ... UNC lost basketball recruit Richard Hendricks (6-9 forward) to Alabama this week. ... The Wolfies, now ranked the No. 1 total defense in the land, gave up only five first downs and 91 total yards to Maryland last week. ... You think FSU is a passing team? Check again. The Seminoles have rushed for an average of 206 yards and 6.8 yards per carry during their five-game winning streak. ... UVa’s upcoming opponent, Duke, shares the ACC lead with Virginia Tech in turnovers, having forced 16, including 10 interceptions. ... Tell me why anyone would kick the ball to Miami’s Devis Hester, who leads the nation in punt returns (32.3), and has brought back three for scores, not to mention his kickoff return capabilities. ... The Hokies are 48-8 in games when they score at least one TD on defense or special teams dating back to 1993. Beamerball lives.

The picks. Last week: 6-1. To date: 35-12. This week: Clemson 24, Maryland 13; Florida State 35, Wake 17; Miami 30, N.C. State 24; Virginia 36, Duke 19.

Williams settling into role
Sophomore becoming a strong receiver for Cavaliers
By Jay Jenkins / Daily Progress staff writer
October 21, 2004

Deyon Williams will never forget the first catch of his college career.

There are two reasons why.

The first of which is obvious. The reception, which came last year against Western Michigan, went for his only career touchdown.

The second reason he would just as soon like to forget.

Why? Well, Williams didn’t know what to do.

He knew what play was called but he didn’t know what it meant for him.

So like he did so many times, Williams turned to former teammate Ottowa Anderson, who was also playing wide receiver, and asked for help.

“O.A. just told me, ‘Run the post [route],’” Williams said.

The Upper Marlboro, Md. native did what he was told and quarterback Marques Hagans, who was starting for an injured Matt Schaub, delivered a strike. Williams hauled it in for a 35-yard touchdown reception.

“Last year, I got thrown into the mix real early. Coming from high school, where we had three or four basic plays, and then to have 100 different plays thrown at you ... that’s a lot,” Williams said.

His teammate, All-ACC tight end Heath Miller, said it is not an unusual problem for a true freshman.

“I think our offense is an in-depth offense,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of stuff that you have to learn and it can be a bit overwhelming as a first-year player, so it’s definitely advantageous if you have a year to learn it.”

Williams has had a year and he is a changed football player. He has Anderson to thank for that too.

Following the spring semester last year, Anderson was deemed academically ineligible.

Being the team player that Williams has become, his initial reaction was how to think of how Anderson’s absence hurt the team.

“First thing I thought was that it was a big loss for the team,” Williams said. “He was a player all the receivers looked up to. Any time I had a question, I could look up to him.”

Williams quickly learned that Anderson’s departure left the door open. Not only for Williams to become a starter, but a star.

He is well on his way to star status.

Despite missing the Sept. 25th game against Syracuse with a sore hamstring, Williams is second on the team in receptions with 15. He has 232 yards receiving for an average of 46.4 yards per contest, but he is still longing for his second career touchdown.

“I’d love to get another one and I know it will come,” Williams said. “I am improving every game. I’m learning how to be that starting receiver I’m supposed to be and that the team wants me to be.”

Gresham wavering on UVa
College notebook
The Roanoke Times

William Fleming football standout Darryl Gresham, orally committed to Virginia since July14, said Tuesday night that he is weighing his options.

Gresham, named to SuperPrep's preseason All-America team as the sixth-rated prospect in Virginia, described himself as "a soft commit" and said he will visit Virginia Tech, Florida and Tennessee. Gresham has been offered scholarships by all three schools and said he plans to visit all of them officially. As his schedule allows, he may make unofficial visits to one or more of the schools for games.

"I just want to make sure I make the right decision," said Gresham, a 6-foot-4, 238-pound linebacker. "I didn't take any visits before I committed."

Gresham had been to Virginia for its junior day last winter, as well as for the Nike All-Star Camp held in Charlottesville in April. He said he still plans to visit UVa officially and go to at least one game. He put the chances that he will sign with Virginia at 50-50.

As to whether he called the other schools, Gresham said he had let it be known that he was wavering and the other schools found out "through word of mouth." He said he also informed UVa assistant Danny Rocco, who recruits Roanoke for the Cavaliers, of his plans.

"I didn't want him to hear it from somewhere else," Gresham said. "I didn't want to be a butt and not be up front about it."

Rix to bullpen

Many Virginia football fans probably had turned off the television Saturday night by the time Florida State quarterback Chris Rix came on the field with 5:08 remaining, his first appearance since suffering a knee injury Sept.25 against Clemson.

Rix, a fifth-year senior in his fourth year as a starter, will remain the Seminoles' back-up as long as Florida State keeps winning with sophomore Wyatt Sexton performing at a high level.

"If you had a pitcher that had a no-hitter going, would you take him out?" Florida State coach Bobby Bowden asked. "The way I approached Chris before that game [Saturday] was, 'Chris, you're a relief pitcher. If our starter can't get them out, you be ready to go - knowing you might not get in.'

"I'm not interested in any, 'You play a quarter and you play a quarter.' Not now. But, we do have the luxury of having a quarterback that's really a veteran - five years - and another one that has helped stabilize our offense. It's nearly a good problem, but it is a problem ... because it seems unfair to Chris."

Handicapping 101

People who try to pick the winners of college football games might take some advice from Bowden, who compared Florida State's 36-3 victory over then-No.6 Virginia to a 45-7 setback suffered Saturday by unbeaten and then-No.15 Arizona State at Southern California.

"A team plays like us against Syracuse, makes mistake after mistake and doesn't deserve to win, but then wins," Bowden said. "The other team played that team and beat them handily, then they come down and play at your place. That's a trap waiting to happen.

"To me, Miami ... they had their Syracuse game, too. Somebody better watch out next week."

The Hurricanes, who beat Louisville 41-38 after trailing 31-14, visit North Carolina State on Saturday.

Change imminent

After a second straight game with fewer than 100 yards in total offense, Maryland (3-3, 1-2 ACC) appears close to replacing ineffective sophomore quarterback Joel Staham with freshman Jordan Steffy.

"I'm not saying that won't happen this week," said coach Ralph Friegden, whose Terps visit Clemson. "If I thought he could handle it and we could win the game, I'd do it in a heartbeat. He's getting close; he really is."

Recruiting

In another sign that North Carolina will soon return to a position of men's basketball prominence under Roy Williams, the Tar Heels have received an oral commitment from Danny Green, a 6-5 swingman from St. Mary's in Manhasset, N.Y., who is the fourth top-50 player to announce plans to sign with Carolina in November.

North Carolina State landed Brandon Costner, a 6-8 forward from Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, N.J., who is the son of former St. Joseph's standout Tony Costner. Costner, once a Virginia recruiting target, is rated the No.33 prospect in the country by Prep Stars.

Harvey Hale, a 6-3 combination guard from Albuquerque, N.M., has committed to Wake Forest. ... Georgia Tech has taken a commitment from 6-1 Austin Jackson from Denton, Texas. Jackson is the third Texan to commit to Georgia Tech in four seasons and is one of three being recruited by the Yellow Jackets this year.

Uche Echefu, a small forward from Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md., postponed a visit scheduled for Virginia Tech this past weekend as the result of illness. Echefu is not expected to make a decision until the spring. ... Virginia, whose next scholarship opening will be for 2007-2008 unless an underclassman leaves, has dropped off 6-8 Nigerian Alred Aboya from Tilton (N.H.) Prep.
 

Canty upbeat in test of faith
U.Va. captain works in rehab after injury ended college career
BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Oct 21, 2004

Saturday night wasn't easy for Chris Canty. His University of Virginia football teammates were in Tallahassee, Fla., playing on national television. Canty was at his home in Charlotte, N.C.

He watched helplessly as Florida State humbled previously unbeaten U.Va. 36-3.

Canty, one of the Cavaliers' captains, spent much of the game "just yelling at the TV, getting a little upset that I couldn't play in it," he said by phone last night from Charlotte.

His frustration was understandable. A 6-7, 290-pound defensive end, Canty entered this season touted as an All-America candidate, and he played like one, recording 30 tackles, including seven for loss, in three-plus games. But his college career was cut short Sept. 25.

Midway through the fourth quarter of Virginia's 31-10 rout of Syracuse at Scott Stadium, Canty dislocated his left knee. The injury meant Canty would not be able to complete what was shaping up as a memorable season for both him and the Cavaliers. It also damaged his stock as an NFL prospect.

"This has definitely tested my faith," Canty said, "but your faith helps you get through it."

Seeing Canty helped off the field evoked memories of the horrific injury suffered by Anthony Poindexter, then an All-America safety, as a U.Va. senior in'98. Poindexter, now a U.Va. assistant coach, never fully recovered and had an abbreviated NFL career. Canty stressed, however, that his injury is not career-ending.

On Sept. 30, Dr. James Andrews, the renowned orthopedic surgeon from Birmingham, Ala., operated on him. Not long after, Canty started a rehabilitation process that's expected to take six to eight months. He won't be healed by the time of 2005 NFL combine, Canty said, but "I'll be able to go and attend and do certain drills."

Canty, who earned his bachelor's degree in African-American studies from U.Va. last spring, was competing as a graduate student this season. After the injury, he withdrew from school and returned home to rehab his knee.

"I have a lot of support here," Canty said. "To get what I need to get done, I need to be focused. What better place than to be than with my family?"

He goes to therapy for two to three hours each morning. Later, at home, he does an additional 90 minutes to two hours of rehab.

"It's a lot," said Canty, who made the all-ACC second team in 2002 and '03.

The first few weeks were especially difficult, Canty said, but he's begun talking again to people outside his family. He plans to return to Charlottesville as soon as he can comfortably do so.

"It's hard being away from the guys," Canty said, "but it's easier to talk to them now."

Injuries marred Canty's career at U.Va. He wasn't able to play until the third game of the 2002 season after breaking his right leg that spring. In the regular-season finale against Virginia Tech that year, Canty broke his left arm and dislocated his left elbow. Those injuries forced him to miss the inaugural Continental Tire Bowl in his hometown.

Even after his latest setback, though, Canty remains upbeat.

"I have too much not to be considered blessed," he said. "God has definitely smiled on me. I think about that every day."

 

ACC NOTES
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Oct 21, 2004

PRIME TIME: ESPN's College GameDay crew will be in Raleigh, N.C., for Saturday night's ACC game between N.C. State and fourth-ranked Miami.

The Wolfpack (3-1, 4-2) meets the Hurricanes (2-0, 5-0) at 7:45 p.m. at sold-out Carter-Finley Stadium. Miami will be favored, but State coach Chuck Amato isn't concerned that his team might melt under the glare of the national spotlight.

"It can't hurt us," Amato said. "I don't care what happens out on that playing field, it cannot hurt. The exposure will be good for" the Pack and good for the ACC.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: Miami coach Larry Coker said his senior class is "probably not as talented as some senior classes we've had."

That's not because the'Canes made a lot of recruiting mistakes. It's because four players who would have been seniors this season left early for the NFL: tight end Kellen Winslow, safety Sean Taylor, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and tailback Willis McGahee.

ONE OF A KIND: Coker has worked with such gifted return men as Barry Sanders and Tremain Mack. Still, Coker said, "I don't know if I've been around anybody quite as explosive as Devin."

Miami sophomore Devin Hester has returned three punts for touchdowns this season and leads the nation with a 32.3-yards average.

"What you have to be able to do as a football coach is say, 'I'll take a 30-yard punt out of bounds'," Georgia Tech's Chan Gailey said, rather than risk a long return by kicking to Hester.

IT TAKES A THIEF: Duke's John Talley, a sophomore cornerback, leads the ACC with four interceptions. He's returned two of his picks for touchdowns, including an 85-yarder against Maryland.

"Most guys don't get two in their career," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "Two in six games is pretty good. That gets your attention."

Duke (0-3, 1-5) entertains 14th-ranked U.Va. (2-1, 5-1) on Saturday afternoon.

LOVE THAT DEFENSE: Led by No.1 N.C. State, the ACC has six teams ranked in the top 16 nationally in total defense. The others are Florida State, Virginia Tech, Miami, U.Va. and Georgia Tech.

"I think when you play good defense, you got good people generally," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "N.C. State was that way, Wake Forest flew around out there. . . . I think Georgia Tech is going to be real good.

"If you got guys who can run fast and knock them to their knees, you usually can play pretty good defense."

SPUTTERING: Maryland ranks sixth among ACC teams in scoring offense (24.8 ppg), but that's deceiving. In their two games since whipping Duke 55-21 on Sept. 25 - losses to Georgia Tech and N.C. State - the Terrapins have totaled only 10 points and 172 yards.

"It's not just the quarterback," said fourth-year coach Ralph Friedgen. "We haven't been playing well at receiver, and we haven't been doing a good job of coaching."

The Terps (1-2, 3-3) won 10 games in each of their first three seasons under Friedgen. They may struggle to qualify for a bowl this year. Maryland's next four opponents are Clemson, FSU, U.Va. and Virginia Tech.

BACK IN THE FOLD: Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe has welcomed back junior tailback Cornelius Birgs, who left the team early this month with designs on transferring.

"I think he made a mistake," Grobe told the Winston-Salem Journal. "Hopefully, he's going to work hard these next few weeks."

Birgs was unhappy that he didn't carry the ball in Wake's overtime loss at N.C. State on Oct. 2. Freshman Micah Andrews was used as Chris Barclay's backup in that game. Birgs gained 105 yards on 23 carries before leaving the team.

"Our biggest concern with Cornelius is we want to see him get a degree," Grobe said. "Football is really for him. I can't make him a good football player, and can't make him a good student."

ROUGH ROAD: North Carolina heads into an off weekend with a 3-4 record. Poor defense is one reason the Tar Heels have struggled. Their brutal schedule is another.

The combined record of UNC's first seven opponents is 33-8. That group includes U.Va., Louisville, Florida State, N.C. State and Utah.

Next up for the Heels: an Oct. 30 date with Miami. - Mike Harris and Jeff White

Talley leads Duke defensive unit with aspirations of returning to bowl game
Cornerback shows talent by leading ACC in interceptions, opposing coaches take note offensively
Barney Breen-portnoy, Cavalier Daily Senior Writer

What comes to mind when you think of Duke athletic stars? Images of J.J. Redick's sweet shooting touch, Shelden Williams's stellar moves in the low post and Chris Duhons's ball distribution skills might flash through your head.

Basketball is king in Durham, N.C. However, there are still other sports at Duke. John Talley, a quiet and unassuming cornerback on Duke's unheralded football team, is making a name for himself and Duke football by leading the mighty ACC football conference in interceptions.

Talley has been an integral component of the Blue Devils' (1-5, 0-3 ACC) defensive unit. Against Maryland, Talley picked off an errant pass thrown by Terrapins quarterback Joel Stathum and ran the ball back 85 yards for a touchdown. His first interception of the year came against the University of Connecticut. He intercepted UCONN quarterback Dan Orlovsky's pass and returned it 62 yards for the score. Talley has six career interceptions and his latest came this past weekend in Duke's 24-7 loss to Georgia Tech.

"He sees the ball real well," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "He's got a feel for the patterns and the passing lanes."

Talley is modest when discussing his accomplishments.

"No, I'm just kind of surprised," Talley said when asked if he ever expected to lead the league in interceptions. "I just like to go out and work hard."

Duke has not won the ACC championship since 1989 and has not been to a bowl game since 1994. The Blue Devils have not won a bowl game since the 1960 Cotton Bowl. Talley expresses confidence that Duke can return to a bowl game before he graduates.

"We've got a very good chance," Talley said. "Sometimes we don't get enough credit, but we've got a good team."

Duke's stellar academic reputation played an important role in Talley's decision to attend the university.

"One of the reasons I came to Duke was for the strong academics," Talley said.

Talley thinks about his football preparations constantly, even during his free time.

"I just sit around my room and chill, focusing on football," Talley said. "I watch game film to get motivated."

Duke's defense will have its hands full this weekend when the Cavaliers travel south to Wallace Wade Stadium. Despite last weekend's blowout loss to Florida State, Virginia still boasts some of the gaudiest offensive statistics in the conference.

"They have a good offense both running and passing," Talley said. "They've been No. 1 in both categories for most of the season."

Despite Talley's demonstrated abilities, the Cavaliers will not shy away from throwing the ball his way.

"We can't use just half the field," Groh said. "That's only 25 yards and that's not enough space."

In order to compete with the Cavaliers, Duke will have to play flawlessly. Talley is well aware of this fact.

"We need to commit few penalties and go out and execute," he said.

So now when you think of Duke, don't just think basketball. Show a little love to the Duke football team and remember John Talley's name.

Williams steps up to fill wideout void
Sophomore wide reciever comes long way from clueless first career play, emerges as rising star at Virginia, averaging over 15 yards per catch
Jeremy Root, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

Early in the second quarter at Western Michigan in September 2003, a freshman Virginia receiver broke the huddle and lined up in the wideout spot next to junior Ottawa Anderson. There was one problem, however -- the newcomer, who was in for one of his first plays, had no idea what route to run.

He turned to the experienced Anderson who told him to run a post. The freshmen did as Anderson said and hauled in the first catch of his career -- a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marques Hagans -- helping propel the Cavaliers to a 59-16 triumph.

That was over 13 months ago. And although Hagans is now the quarterback again, not much else is the same for sophomore starting wide receiver Deyon Williams, who has progressed substantially since his days of leaving the huddle and not knowing what to do.

Since Anderson left the team and fellow sophomore Fontel Mines broke his collarbone during the Temple game, Williams has stepped up to fill the vacant spot at wideout this season. He has started two games opposite senior Michael McGrew and has had considerable playing time in each contest except against Syracuse, which he sat out with a hamstring injury. This year Williams has snagged 15 receptions for 232 yards and a 15.5 yards per catch average -- second on the team behind McGrew. His 15 catches are tops for a Cavalier wide receiver and his 46.4 yards per game average ranks him eighth in the conference.

"There's a lot of natural skill there, which obviously we want to take advantage of," Virginia coach Al Groh said of Williams.

Williams' break-out game came versus Clemson Oct. 7, when he led the team with five receptions for 83 yards. Three of his receptions were on third and long, including a 22-yard catch on 3rd-and-14 and a 25-yard catch on third-and-10.

"I'm improving every game," Williams said. "I'm learning how to be that starting receiver I'm supposed to be and that the team wants me to be."

Williams showed his potential last season, when he caught eight balls for 122 yards to lead the team with a 15.2 yards per catch average. Ironically, it was the loss of Anderson in the offseason that helped give Williams the opportunity to receive significant playing time this fall.

"First thing I thought was that it was a big loss for the team," Williams said of Anderson's departure. "He was a player all the receivers looked up to. Any time I had a question I could look up to him."

Williams brings a lot to the table as a 6-foot-3-inch, 188-pound wideout, who has blazing speed. He was a track-star in high school and his junior year he won regional titles in the 110-meter hurdles, the 300-meter hurdles and the high jump. He also brought home a state title in the 300. His top time in the 40-yard dash is a 4.39 and his personal best in the 100 is a 10.7.

"I think he can get a lot done," Groh said. "He has size and speed. He's got toughness; he wants the ball."

Mines is listed on the depth chart for the Duke contest this Saturday for the first time since he started the Temple game. Like Williams, Mines' first career catch last season was also a touchdown. However, don't look for Mines to resume his starting role any time soon. His teammate Williams has made the most of his opportunity.

FSU déja vu: Virginia fans can still hope
Bart Isley, Cavalier Daily Columnist

"Welcome to our universe."

That was all my father said when he called Saturday night immediately after Florida State blocked Sean Johnson's first quarter punt. My father is a die-hard North Carolina fan, and many of my childhood fall weekends were spent in Kenan Stadium, cheering on the Heels.

Since my arrival at Virginia he has struggled with my Cavalier conversion, but he didn't call to rub the Cavaliers' misfortune in my face. He's no bad sport, and besides, he is a season ticket holder here as well as at North Carolina.

He only called out of sympathy because he knew I was going through a terrible case of déjà vu. This isn't the first time I'd witnessed Florida State dismantling an up-and-coming unbeaten challenger. I'd seen the exact same scenario play out seven years ago as a high school freshman on Nov. 8, 1997.

That year, Mack Brown was still North Carolina's head coach, about a month before he jumped ship to coach the Texas Longhorns. The Tar Heels were unbeaten and ranked No.5 in the nation to the Seminoles' No.2. The game was a national event -- both teams were unbeaten and it was the first time in ACC history that two teams who were ranked in the top five played each other.

There was an electric atmosphere that night during pregame, and Carolina fans were confident the Heels would prevail. Handlers escorted live mascot "Ramses" the ram through Florida State's pregame warm-up lines, showing disrespect to the visitors as the Carolina faithful cheered wildly. I personally remember watching "the beer keg with a leg," Sebastian Janikowski, kick a 75-yard field goal with ease in warm-ups, an event I still have a hard time believing. I was also fascinated with how older, more mature Tar Heel fans' interpreted the Seminoles' traditional Tomahawk Chop with an extended middle finger.

The excitement ended shortly after kickoff, as Florida State never let North Carolina get into the game and won by 17 points. The 'Noles didn't rely on one superstar who the Heels couldn't stop. In fact, quarterback Thad Busby, who went on to an illustrious one year career with the Arena League's Tampa Bay Storm, only threw for 159 yards that night. And while freshman Travis Minor rushed for 128 yards, he wasn't an unstoppable force. FSU just played well in all aspects of the game and put together an excellent team effort to win.

So, the similarities between the two games began to mount quickly Saturday night, beginning with the blocked punt. In 1997 the culprit was Seminoles linebacker Brian Allen, who broke through UNC's punt team for a block in the second quarter. Fast-forward to 2004 and Ernie Sims comes flying around the right side of the Virginia line.

Lorenzo Booker went on to play the role of Travis Minor, rolling up 124 yards and wearing down a Cavalier defense that seemed to be on the field the entire game. The Cavalier rushing attack fell apart as well, not as bad as Carolina's 1997 total of negative 28 yards, but 20 positive can properly be termed a disaster when you come in averaging 275 yards a game.

The point totals for the two losing teams were also exactly the same, each posting just a field goal. Both games were relatively lopsided, a 20-3 final for Carolina, and 36-3 for the Cavaliers Saturday.

Each time FSU does this, which is fairly often, people start to look for answers as to how, and why. Many point to the talent pool the Seminoles enjoy in Florida, but Virginia seems to have the talent to match FSU at most positions. The pundits certainly seem to think so, just as they did when Carolina hosted the Seminoles in 1997. Maybe when it all comes down to it, Florida State just knows they're that good, and somewhere, deep down, that worries other teams. Few Division I college players will admit publicly to being intimidated, but maybe Chief Osceola and his burning spear act combined with the Chop are just as effective as FSU fans seem to think.

In both cases, the stage seemed set for a power shift in the ACC, and the Seminoles just weren't ready and willing to play the part.

With all the similarities between the two games, one might wonder how Carolina finished out the season after their demoralizing loss. They ran the table finishing 10-1 before demolishing Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl, 42-3. Five tough games lie ahead for the Cavaliers, but recovering after being torn apart by FSU has been done before.

As long as Al Groh isn't planning to relocate to the Big 12 in early December, I wouldn't mind watching a season similar to Carolina's in 1997 from here on out.