Long Adds to Family Legacy
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 10/01/2007

Toiling under the alter of expectation can be daunting. Difficult. Discouraging. Perhaps depressing. Many a man has faltered under the weight of ‘living up’ to a perceived pre-destiny of greatness. And all have heard the crushing adage, "Giants beget Midgets".

Following in the footsteps of parental success is often a minefield with the younger generation looking to avoid being blown up and away before finding their own way.

In Charlottesville, Virginia, however, that mantle of achievement has seemingly been passed along as easily as a family recipe.

It is here that Christopher Howard Long, Virginia’s captain and star defensive end, is building his own football resume to hang on the family tree next to dad Howie, the Hall of Famer from his NFL days with the Raiders.

And make no mistake about it, Long No. 2 can strap it on and play with the best of them.

“He’s unbelievable,” says former Virginia Coach George Welsh. “His motor runs just like his dad’s did. He’s relentless. He’s all over the field.”

Current Cavalier Coach Al Groh also gushes over Long: “”He possesses many great attributes, but the one that impresses me most is his commitment to putting our team first in all of his activities. He is very focused on doing whatever it takes to improve the team and help us win. His motivation is very simple. He is fueled by a sense of accomplishment.”

And he is accomplishing. With six sacks in Virginia’s first five games (the Cavs are off to a solid 4-1 start), Long is among the nation’s leaders in that category. He’s also been credited with 5 pass breakups and 6 quarterback hurries plus an interception that he returned 25 yards.

It all adds up to Long being on the watch list for The Lott Trophy. Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy goes to the outstanding college defensive player of the year who has had the biggest IMPACT on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. It represents the first college football trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance. Lott and Howie Long were teammates with the Raiders in 1991 and 1992.

“Nothing speaks more about Chris than the fact our players have elected him a team captain for both his junior and senior campaigns – a rare honor at Virginia,” says Groh.

“He is the rare player who has the ability to change the course of his game and his work ethic in all of these areas has been an inspiration to the other players on the our team. His actions, attitude and commitment to being the best helps to make him an outstanding leader on our team,” Groh continues.

It is Long’s dedication and work ethic that is constantly championed by his coaches.

John Blake coached him at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville. “He is the hardest working athlete I have been around in my 35 years of playing and coaching. His hard work makes him one of the best football players in every game he plays, but he is also one of those special people who is a great person, teammate, leader and friend. He is absolutely great with people. He is humble but not shy and will always engage with anyone who just wants to meet him.

“In this day and age when every time one opens a paper and there is an article about an athlete doing something wrong it is refreshing to know a great athlete who knows how to do it right. I’m glad that I have the opportunity to know Chris, but I can’t put into words how I feel about the fact that my two sons have the opportunity to know such a great young man and role model.”

A sociology major, Long will graduate in the spring, about the same time the National Football League holds its annual draft. It is unlikely his sociology career will be given much of a chance after that.


 

Contribution real, or just a tease at U.Va.?
Peter Lalich waits for his next chance for the Cavaliers, where true freshmen on the field is not unusual.
BY MELINDA WALDROP | 247-4634
8:27 PM EDT, October 17, 2007
 

CHARLOTTESVILLE - After Jameel Sewell threw a third-quarter interception that set up a Connecticut touchdown last Saturday, he headed for the Virginia sidelines.

Peter Lalich, the team's backup quarterback, never took off his headset.

Sewell, the starter, frebounded from the pick to lead a game-winning drive, illustrating the improvement he's shown this season.

Lalich, a true freshman who showed promise in the season's first four weeks but hasn't played since Sept. 22, was left to wonder about his status. Is the quarterback rotation that Virginia coach Al Groh described -- after Lalich's redshirt year was burned with a last-drive appearance in a season-opening blowout loss to Wyoming -- a part of the team's offense? Or is it an idea that may have been aimed at motivating the incumbent QB in the first place?

"If I'm not going to be playing, I'd like to be redshirted, but I'm not sure if I have that option," Lalich said.

He doesn't. NCAA rules count any competition during a season as a year of eligibility used. Lalich can't apply for a hardship waiver because he has participated in more than three games this season.

Lalich's situation isn't unique at Virginia.

During the past six seasons, Groh has played 48 true freshmen, including five on this year's roster -- with mixed results. In 2002, the Cavaliers led the ACC by playing 14 true freshmen, and were second in 2005 with 11.

In the past six years, Wake Forest has played the fewest true freshmen in the league, with seven, while Georgia Tech has played a conference-high 59. Virginia's class of freshmen in 2005 included Kevin Ogletree, who finished with seven catches in seven games for 27 yards, and Maurice Covington, who had five catches for 60 yards in five games. Defensive end Alex Field also played in five games, making two tackles, while linebacker Aaron Clark had a bigger impact, making 10 tackles in nine games.

Groh said a freshman's ability is the main factor in determining whether he plays.

"If he's not ready for this level of competition, then that's where it stops," Groh said. "If he is ready for this level of competition, then how much difference will he make in the game? ... Every player on the team is a valuable resource to the team. Just saying we're not going to use this class is like automatically saying you're not going to use 25 percent of your resources."

Groh said a decision to play a freshman isn't made to keep that player happy, saying, "We've got a lot more people's satisfaction to take into account than one person's."

Groh also pointed out that players have taken their redshirt year as sophomores after filling in where needed as freshmen and have gone on to productive careers.

In Lalich's case, Groh said game situations dictate which quarterback goes in on a particular series. Groh said Lalich might have played Sept. 29 against Pittsburgh, had the Panthers not turned a 27-0 deficit into a 37-14 game in the fourth quarter. And Lalich didn't play against Middle Tennessee State, when Sewell put together a 63-yard drive with 1:26 to play, after his interception led to MTSU's go-ahead touchdown, because "we liked the way things were going," Groh said. "Jameel was in good control of the game (and) we were getting good ball movement."

Against UConn, Groh didn't consider going to Lalich after Sewell's second pick led to the Huskies' TD.

"Maybe if it had been earlier in the game, but you've got a player who hasn't been in the game (and) one who was (warmed up)," Groh said. "It wouldn't have made sense, unless I wanted to give you all (the media) something else to write about.

"I guess it's just a fan mentality," Groh said. "There's always just a fascination at that position (quarterback) with a player who's not playing. ... Our starting quarterback's won six games in a row. That's a pretty fascinating thing."

As to people who question the point of playing Lalich for four games -- if that's all he plays this season -- Groh said: "That's people who aren't accountable for the results. There are a couple of games early in the year there where if you take his production out of the game, the result might have been different. If that only occurred in one game -- if we won one more game than we could have won as a result of his performance -- then it would make everything worth it, which it clearly has. We've got a whole half a season left to play yet, so who knows? He might be the ACC player of the year before it's all over with."

After his 3-for-5, 16-yard debut at Wyoming, Lalich led a 15-play, 82-yard drive in the fourth quarter to put away Duke, finishing that game 13-for-18 for 131 yards and a TD. He saw less time the next week at North Carolina, going 7-for-10 for 57 yards, and was 4-for-10 for 56 yards with an interception against Georgia Tech.

Lalich said he didn't expect to play against UConn, although there have been times during the previous two games when he thought he might trade his headset for a helmet.

"It's definitely not hard to watch, because I think Jameel's a great player," said Lalich, who gave Sewell's shoulder an encouraging pat after a third-quarter drive stalled against the Huskies. "Of course I'd like my opportunity, but the coaches are doing what's best, obviously. We're 6-1, so they know what they're doing."

Senior defensive end Chris Long played as a true freshman in 2004, making five tackles, including a sack, in six games.

"I trust the coaches completely, so you're in the game as much as you should be, in my mind," Long said. "I got my opportunity and I made a couple of plays, and I think that experience was pretty valuable to me, because you're not going in blind your second year when you've got to take 700 snaps." Lalich's on-field excitement has been limited lately.

"You just got to not think about it," said Lalich, who said he hasn't been told anything by coaches about his playing time the rest of the season. "Even a guy like Tom Brady didn't play much in college, but he kept working hard, and he ended up doing all right in the NFL."

Peter's father, Todd Lalich, watched his son play against Wyoming in what he interpreted as "a vote of confidence in Peter" by Groh. Todd Lalich said Groh was the main reason Peter chose Virginia after passing for 3,134 yards and 33 touchdowns for West Springfield High, and said his son is happy playing for the U.Va. coach.

"He went down there to help Coach Groh win an ACC championship, and I think he's contributed enough this year to be a part of it," Todd Lalich said. " ... Peter's the type of guy that he if he was just the ball boy, not even on the team, I think he's the type of young man that would be excited to get a ring."

In the meantime, Lalich -- who said he hasn't contacted any other schools about transferring -- watches, and waits for his next chance. "I'm never content," he said. "I always want to get to the next-best spot. I'd like to play and make some plays for us, so I'm not content where I'm at."

 

Albert focused on Maryland, not NFL
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
October 18, 2007

Branden Albert faces it all the time.

There is one burning question among people the left guard comes in frequent contact with.

Will Albert, one of the ACC’s best offensive linemen, return to Virginia in 2008 for a fourth campaign? Or will Albert instead toss his name in the 2008 NFL Draft, a path taken recently, for better or worse, by former Virginia players such as Darryl Blackstock, Heath Miller and Kai Parham.

“That’s the question I get every day,” Albert said Tuesday. “Everybody asks, ‘What are you going to do?’ I am like, ‘Whatever the future brings me.’”

For now, Virginia fans step back from the ledge. Albert, a three-year starter at left guard, quickly cited two players that returned to UVa for a fourth season as factors for what may or may not turn into a decision.

Chris Long, who is enjoying an All-American season at defensive end for the Cavaliers, and former left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the No. 4 pick in the 2006 draft, boosted their value by completing their eligibility.

“Chris is elevating his stock every week,” Albert pointed out. “I also see what Brick did and that will help if I ever make that decision, if I ever even think about leaving early.

“It will make it a lot easier.”

This week, Albert has a greater issue on his mind. Virginia (6-1, 3-0 ACC) faces a stiff road test at Maryland (4-2, 1-1 ACC) on Saturday at 8 p.m. (ESPN2).

The Terps’ stout defensive line gives reason for concern.

“They have a very big line. They have two good [defensive] tackles that are over 300 pounds,” Albert said. “[Maryland has] probably the biggest line that we have faced all year. It is going to be a tough, rugged game against those guys.”

Albert will likely get his share of work against junior Jeremy Navarre. The defensive end has recorded a program-best 14 career tackles for a loss and had a game-saving sack in the Terps’ win over Rutgers on Sept. 29.

“He is a very good defensive end,” Albert said. “I think he’s one of the best defensive players in the ACC.”

Opponents could offer similar praise for Albert.

“His performance is continuing to move upward,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “We are pleased with how he is doing.”

Albert, who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, showcased his versatility recently, starting at left tackle for Eugene Monroe against Pittsburgh and Middle Tennessee State.

Before the first start at his new position, Albert had just six days to make the transition.

“I didn’t expect it, but I feel like if I am a team player I have to fill any role that they want me to,” said Albert, who played tackle in high school and at Hargrave Military Academy for a season.

“It wasn’t too much different. Me being here for three years already, I pretty much know what everybody has to do on the offensive line.

“The only adjustment was playing against faster guys, defensive ends instead of stout tackles at guard.”

With tape of Albert’s play at left tackle in the vault, NFL teams will certainly take notice. In last year’s draft, 23 offensive tackles were selected, as compared to just 11 guards.

Albert said he does not have an opinion on which position he plays in the professional ranks.

“Who knows?” he said. “Wherever the future brings me, I’m not worried about that right now.

“If it helps in the future, it does. It is not my say-so if it is going to help me or not.”

 

Groh defends decision to not redshirt Lalich
October 17, 2007 1:05 
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

CHARLOTTESVILLE--University of Virginia football coach Al Groh remains confident his decision to burn the redshirt season of true freshman quarterback Peter Lalich was the right thing to do.

Lalich, a highly touted Springfield native, played in Virginia's season-opening 23-3 loss at Wyoming, leaving him with just three years of eligibility remaining.

He then shared snaps with sophomore Jameel Sewell in the Cavaliers' victories over Duke, North Carolina and Georgia Tech after Groh said there would be a quarterback rotation.

But since the victory over Georgia Tech on Sept. 22, Lalich has been on the bench.

He didn't play a single snap in Virginia wins over Pittsburgh, Middle Tennessee State and Connecticut.

Lalich's best game came at home against Duke when he was 13-of-18 for 131 yards and a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tom Santi that clinched a 24-13 victory.

Groh said those who are questioning why he chose to use Lalich and then sit him are "people who aren't accountable for the results."

"There were a couple of games early in the year that if you take his production out of the game, the result might have been different," Groh said. "If we win one more game than we could've won as the result of his performance then it would make everything worth it, which it clearly has."

Groh said the reason he's stuck with Sewell is because his running ability allows the Cavaliers (6-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) to play the grind-it-out style that has become the team's identity. Lalich is more of a traditional drop-back passer.

Groh points to the Cavaliers' 17-16 victory over Connecticut on Saturday as proof that Sewell is the right player for the job.

Virginia was without leading rusher Cedric Peerman, but still managed 148 yards on the ground thanks in large part to Sewell's 66 yards on a career-high 16 carries.

Sewell has also been the starter throughout the Cavaliers' longest winning streak since 2002.

"Our quarterback has won six games in a row," Groh said. "That's a pretty fascinating thing. He brings some things to the offense that fit this team at the present time."

Still, Groh said he hasn't ruled out using Lalich again this year.

"We've got a whole half a season left to play yet," he said. "So who knows? He might be the ACC player of the year before it's all over with."

Groh ignores ranking
Virginia is No. 24 in the USA Today poll and is ranked 19th in the first Bowl Championship Series standings that were released on Sunday. Virginia's BCS ranking is its highest since it was No. 11 in November 2004.

However, Groh said, "We don't even pay attention to it."

"Those ratings at this time of year are strictly for your ego," he added. "The only two spots that mean anything are 1 and 2. If you're ranked 1 and you're ranked 2, then that means if you win out, you're in the championship game. Outside of that, it means nothing."

Not bringing the Payne
Cavaliers' redshirt freshman running back Keith Payne is sharing duties with junior Andrew Pearman in the absence of Peerman, who isn't listed on the depth chart for Saturday's game at Maryland (4-2, 1-1 ACC) because of a right foot injury.

Even though Payne is 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds, he hasn't exactly been tough to bring down.

"He's a big back, but right now he's not necessarily a punishing back," Groh said. "He just happens to be a big back."

Groh said Peerman, "is the most punishing back we have."

Not so fast
Cavaliers' senior wide receiver Chris Gorham, who moved from cornerback this season, had his best day on offense against Connecticut with three catches for 76 yards, including a key 30-yard reception on the game-winning drive.

But Groh said it's far too early to call Gorham, "a go-to receiver."

"I'd be a little bit restrained in the term go-to," Groh said. "I think Randy Moss is a go-to receiver. But [Gorham] certainly stepped up and did a nice job for us on three really significant plays."

Injury update
Peerman (foot) and junior cornerback Chris Cook (sprained knee) didn't practice on Monday. Peerman isn't likely to play at Maryland, but Cook hasn't been ruled out.

Sophomore fullback Rashawn Jackson (hamstring) has yet to practice this week. If he can't play at Maryland, senior Josh Zidenberg will likely start in his place. Groh said it's possible junior wide receiver Maurice Covington (hand) will play on Saturday.

 

UVa's ranked, but not interested in the polls
By Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 17, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Riding a six-game winning streak, Virginia returned to the polls this week for the first time since 2005. Not that the Cavaliers are paying much attention.
UVa is 24th in the USA Today coaches poll and 19th in the initial BCS rankings. It also received 85 votes in the Associated Press poll, coming in 27th.

"We don't even pay any attention to it," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "Those ratings at this time of year are strictly for your ego.

"The only two spots that mean anything are 1 and 2. If you're ranked 1 or you're ranked 2, then that means if you win out, you're in the championship game. Outside of that, it means nothing."

The last time the Cavaliers were ranked in any poll was Oct. 16, 2005, after they upset No. 4 Florida State. They were No. 23 in the AP poll but dropped out after a 7-5 loss at North Carolina.

Virginia (6-1, 3-0 ACC) is 19th in the BCS largely because of its lofty position in the six computer rankings used for the formula. The Cavaliers' average computer ranking is 14th, higher than big-named schools like Florida (17th) and Southern Cal (25th).

UVa's highest ranking in the BCS was 11th on Nov. 6, 2004, when it was 7-1 and 10th in the AP poll. The Cavaliers finished 18th in the BCS at the end of that season.

At Tuesday's press conference, players brushed off questions about both the team's ranking and winning streak - its longest since 2002 and one shy of the school record - saying they continue to take a week-by-week mentality.

"One thing I learned from (offensive line) coach (Dave) Borbely, he always tells us, treat each win or loss as the same thing," left guard Branden Albert said.

"That's the mentality we have now. Keep focused and stay humble."

There was no one more eager to dismiss the polls or what Virginia could still accomplish this season than Groh, who is steadfast in his one-game-at-a-time approach.

Asked if he separates the season into segments, Groh said: "We do, very clearly. Twelve of them. We're in the eighth segment now. That's as far as we go.

"I trust in the fact that when it's all over with, someone here will count them all up for me and tell me what the result was."


 

Peerman not expected to play anytime soon
By Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 17, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Virginia tailback Cedric Peerman is not listed on the depth chart for the Maryland game, and coach Al Groh did not give the impression that that the junior is close to a return.
Groh said UVa is still monitoring the injuries to Peerman (right foot) and cornerback Chris Cook (left knee sprain). Neither practiced Monday and Groh only referred to Cook when he said "we're kind of waiting on a day-to-day basis for him to get out there."

Cook (Heritage), who did not dress for the Connecticut game, is atop the depth chart at one of the cornerback positions.

Peerman (William Campbell), who was still on crutches last week, is not listed at all. Andrew Pearman is first, followed by Keith Payne. Those two combined for 82 rushing yards in Peerman's absence last week.

In other injury news, wideout Maurice Covington (broken left hand) is nearing a return. The junior practiced for the first time last week and has been taking "a pretty consistent turn" in the rotation, according to Groh.

"Last week at this time I would have said no, (he can't play)," Groh said. "This week I can just say he might be able to."

Fullback Rashawn Jackson (hamstring) won't attempt to practice until later this week.

Payne not punishing

At 6-foot-3, 234 pounds, Payne might have big-back size, but he's not running with big-back power right now.

The redshirt freshman ran tentatively at times against Connecticut. In the third quarter, he was met one-on-one at the line by 6-foot, 189-pound safety Robert Vaughn, who drove Payne back for a 1-yard loss.

"He's a big back, but right now he's not necessarily a punishing back," Groh said. "The most punishing back we have on the team is Cedric. He's fashioned his game around that style."

In two games since Peerman suffered his injury, Payne has 29 carries for 112 yards.

Work in progress

Cavaliers fans have made a habit of holding their breath whenever Vic Hall (Gretna) returns a punt - for good and bad reasons.

Despite his 13.3-yard return average, the sophomore has fumbled or muffed three punts. Twice, UVa lost possession.

Against Connecticut, Virginia was fortunate that Nate Lyles jumped on the loose ball.

Groh isn't blaming Hall entirely.

"He got kind of hammered (against UConn)," Groh said. "I put that as much on the guys who are supposed to be keeping those gunners off of him as on Vic."

That's part of the reason why Hall called for a fair catch on a punt in the third quarter last Saturday when it appeared he had a significant running room in front of him.

"We bring to his attention that, look, we're having a little difficulty out there, so if you have any doubt, the best thing to do is (fair catch it)," Groh said.

"At least we're going to have the ball. We'd like a nice return, but we are going to have the ball on the next play provided we don't do something disastrous with it."

Extra points

Senior defensive end Chris Long, a midseason All-American by Rivals, Sports Illustrated and Phil Steele's College Football Preview, will be featured on ESPN's College GameDay on Saturday. The show airs at 10 a.m. and goes until noon. ? Groh has been known to heap praise on Long but never quite like he did Tuesday. "I've only had the pleasure to coach one other player in 40 years who is as dominant at his level of competition as Chris is," he said. The player? Lawrence Taylor.



 

UVa's trio of tight ends spearheads the Cavs' passing attack
By Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 17, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE - An Al Groh-stocked roster will never have a shortage of tight ends. The nature of the position fits the Virginia coach's NFL-influenced football philosophy, in which versatility is a prized commodity.
He's even fonder of the position this season. He might not have a passing game without it.

With no reliable threats at wide receiver, Virginia has once again staked its claim as Tight End U.

The trio of Tom Santi, Jonathan Stupar and John Phillips has combined for 53 catches, 540 receiving yards and six touchdowns this year. UVa's wide receivers, by comparison, have 42 receptions, 458 yards and one touchdown.

"It is a very complete position for us," Groh said.

That's an understatement. There were eight tight ends on the Cavaliers' dress list for the Connecticut game.

The conventional wisdom is that the three who get significant time on offense all bring different things to the table - Santi the speed, Stupar the hands and Phillips the power. But their respective games have evolved to the point where Virginia can feel comfortable using any of them in any situation.

"I think we're all interchangeable," Phillips said.

Santi, a senior co-captain, leads the team and is second among ACC tight ends with 23 receptions. He played some fullback as a 225-pound freshman but has since bulked up to 242 pounds without losing his trademark speed. Groh likens him to Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark.

"He's on the line, he's in motion, he's separated from the line, he's an inside receiver, he's an outside receiver, he's a moving blocker, he's a stationary blocker," Groh said. "He fulfills a lot of roles for us."

Groh called Santi the best pass-catching tight end in the conference, but Stupar might not be far behind. The senior has 22 receptions this season for 181 yards and a touchdown.

And while the 6-foot-6, 255-pound Phillips has long been lauded for his blocking skills, the former three-sport star at Bath County High has shown off his pass-catching ability, with two of his eight receptions this season going for touchdowns.

"I think we've got a tight end unit," Phillips said. "It's not first guy, second guy, third guy. We're a unit."

Virginia has long considered itself a tight end destination. The standard bearer remains current Pittsburgh Steeler Heath Miller, who won the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in the final season of a UVa career that produced 144 receptions, 1,703 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. The 70 catches and 835 receiving yards he had in 2003 remain ACC tight end records.

He was preceded by Chris Luzar, who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Patrick Estes, now an offensive tackle for the 49ers, was Miller's contemporary. And beyond Virginia's current trio, highly touted freshmen Joe Torchia, Andrew Devlin and Mark Ambrose are waiting in the wings.

"If you want to make a university known for its tight ends, you can't just have one guy who's running around there," Stupar said. "You've got to have a couple."

Last season, UVa's production at the position took a hit. With an inexperienced offensive line serving as a liability, the Cavaliers held their tight ends in for pass protection.

Santi saw his yard-per-catch average drop from 18.8 to 8.7. Stupar went from 24 receptions to 15. As a unit, they scored one touchdown.

"You can just imagine what impact staying in on protection would have had on Heath Miller's production when he was here," Groh said. "Certainly, it wouldn't have been something that we wanted to do, yet if that's what it would have taken to protect the quarterback at that particular time, it would have been necessary."

With the line holding its own this season, Virginia's tight ends are back where they belong - down the field looking to get open.

Connecticut knew it. The Huskies blanketed UVa's tight ends. Santi had just one catch for eight yards. After having a questionable catch held up by replay, Stupar finished with three catches for 23 yards.

But on one play in the second quarter, Phillips slipped under the radar. Quarterback Jameel Sewell sold the play-action fake and Phillips ran free on an underneath route. No defender was within 10 yards of him when he hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass.

"You're hopefully not going to be able to stop us completely," Stupar said. "We feel like we've got a good group of tight ends who can do a lot of things."

NOTES: Groh said during the ACC teleconference Wednesday that tailback Cedric Peerman (right foot) will not play against Maryland on Saturday. Peerman injured his foot at Middle Tennessee on Oct. 6 and was on crutches last week. ? Defensive end Chris Long was named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's top lineman.


 

SECOND WIND
Demoted CB Chris Gorham makes impact at receiver
Doug Doughty

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Few Virginia football players have undergone as precipitous a fall as Chris Gorham, a starter for the Cavaliers two years ago in the Music City Bowl.

Gorham was a cornerback then and a prospective three-year starter.

However, he was to start only one more game -- the 2006 season opener at Pittsburgh -- before he was no longer in the Cavaliers' plans.

Gorham dropped out of the starting lineup, then he dropped out of the cornerback rotation and, by the end of the season, he no longer travelled with the team. He didn't see action in UVa's last six games.

There was little buzz last spring when Gorham was moved to wide receiver.

He hadn't played wide receiver at Pottstown (Pa.) High School, but the Cavaliers needed depth and Gorham wasn't likely to play at cornerback.

There was no guarantee that he would play at wide receiver, either, but 2006 leading receiver Kevin Ogletree sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the spring and the other projected starter, Maurice Covington, suffered a broken hand in the third game this year.

In UVa's fourth game, Gorham suddenly found himself starting against Georgia Tech.

Gorham didn't have a reception that day; in fact, he had two receptions all season before Connecticut visited Scott Stadium last week.

The game got off to an ominous start for the Cavaliers as quarterback Jameel Sewell spotted Gorham on the first possession, only to see his pass skid off Gorham's hands and into the arms of Huskies defensive back Dahna Deleston.

"Jameel threw a great ball," Gorham said.

It was the end of the quarter before Sewell came back to Gorham, who pulled in another fastball and got his feet down in front of Connecticut's sideline for an 11-yard gain.

That second-and-10 completion was one of the key plays on UVa's first touchdown drive, and Gorham was a major figure on the Cavaliers' other two scoring drives.

He caught Vic Hall's option pass for a 35-yard gain in the second quarter, setting up the touchdown that put the Cavaliers ahead 14-6, and his 30-yard reception preceded the Cavaliers' winning field goal.

"It's nice to see a senior player have a moment like that," head coach Al Groh said.

"He hasn't had a lot of those slap-in-the-back kind of moments."

As a feel-good story, it ranks with the saga of fifth-year offensive guard Gordie Sammis, who had played in a handful of plays from scrimmage before he took over as a starter against Pittsburgh and Middle Tennessee State.

"It took [Gorham] a little while to feel comfortable," Groh said. "He wasn't even a wide receiver in high school. We talk a lot about having a man-up philosophy and Chris represents that. He's been very diligent."

Gorham played in a total of 20 plays as a true freshman in 2004, essentially wasting a year, but there is no trace of bitterness about any of the turns his career has taken.

"Our attitude is, 'We want to win,' " Gorham said.

"We don't get too caught up in our own individual circumstances. That's our attitude and that's what we're sticking to."

Gorham had scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and South Carolina before picking the Cavaliers. He had run a leg on a 1,600-meter relay team that finished second in his state and was seen as a natural cornerback because of his speed and better-than-average size (6 feet, 194 pounds).

His media-guide biography reveals that he also played running back at Pottstown and rushed for approximately 500 yards.

What's more, he had 600 receiving yards out of the backfield.

Skills were never a problem at UVa, but maybe confidence was.

"Very definitely, in the early going, yes," Groh said. "At corner."

Covington returned to practice prior to the Connecticut game. It is likely that he will return to the starting lineup as soon as he is 100 percent, but Gorham's performance Saturday has made him an intriguing option.

"Circumstances were such that we desperately needed him at corner," Groh said, "but his personality and style of play probably fits better at wide receiver.

"It would have been a great thing if we could have started [his career] over there."
 

A Leading Indicator
Maryland Has Jumped Out Front in Four of Its Six Games, But That's When the Trouble Begins for the Terrapins
By Marc Carig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 18, 2007; Page E01

Two weeks ago, in his first career start, Maryland quarterback Chris Turner smiled on the sideline, enjoying the 18-point lead the Terrapins had opened against Georgia Tech.

"Wow," Turner thought to himself. "Even I can't blow this."

"There's a consistency that I think is separating our team right now from being a very, very good team," Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said. "In spurts we play very, very well both ways. Then we just have trouble sustaining that." (Bloomberg News)

But caution arrived quickly, as several grim-faced players sounded warnings to their teammates about the dangers of relaxing, the memories of a wasted 21-point lead at Wake Forest still vivid. The concern proved prophetic: Minutes later, Turner fumbled, and the Yellow Jackets returned it for a touchdown. The sideline laughs turned into grimaces, and tension began to build among Maryland players. It was released only when the Yellow Jackets missed a go-ahead field-goal attempt in the final minute.

The first half of the college football season has offered the Terrapins several reasons for encouragement: They appear to have found a quarterback in Turner, and despite a spate of injuries at key positions, they're 4-2 with a shot to win the wide-open ACC. But injuries aside, one concern outweighs most others as Maryland prepares for a key ACC game Saturday night against Virginia: the Terrapins' inability to close out opponents.

"There's a consistency that I think is separating our team right now from being a very, very good team," Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said. "In spurts we play very, very well both ways. Then we just have trouble sustaining that."

Through the first six games, the Terrapins have outscored opponents 50-16 in the first quarter. But in four games -- including the past three -- Maryland has allowed teams to rally from those deficits, a major reason the Terrapins begin the second half of their season with a 4-2 mark, instead of the 5-1 record they could have had by simply closing out the Demon Deacons after taking a 24-3 lead.

"We know that 5-1 sounds a lot better than 4-2," Terrapins defensive lineman Jeremy Navarre said. "But we're happy. We need to finish strong here to build on the first half of the season."

Friedgen, who has been pleased with his team's effort and toughness, said the Terrapins must learn to close out games.

"That's part of the frustration I have at times because I think we can be a very good football team once we learn to finish, concentrate and focus," he said. "And it's got to be everyone on the team."

Virginia should provide another reminder of the perils of getting too comfortable with a lead. Last season, Maryland made Virginia pay for not finishing the job, overcoming a 20-point halftime lead by the Cavaliers to steal a victory that served as a catalyst for the rest of the year.

Since the Wake Forest debacle, Turner said coaches have made finishing games a "point of emphasis." Yet the Terrapins have responded to the Wake Forest loss by nearly reliving the nightmare in their following two games, allowing both Rutgers and Georgia Tech to get off the canvas.

When they try to narrow down a cause for the phenomenon, Friedgen and most of his players seem unsure. Friedgen cites an occasional lack of concentration, though he said the team's effort has been up to par.

Turner said the team has trouble resisting the temptation to relax after securing a big lead, especially because the Terrapins have often stormed out early.

"When you're up 21 points with 11 minutes to go in the second quarter, you forget you still have three quarters to play," Turner said. "It's kind of strange to be up like that so early. I definitely felt it [against Georgia Tech]. It felt too good to be true, almost. I honestly didn't think it would come down to that."

Senior safety Christian Varner attributed the trend to a lack of maturity as a group. As the second half of the season unfolds, Varner said learning to put away teams will come as part of the normal process of gaining more experience.

"It's not one player or one side of the ball; it's the whole team that's guilty of it," he said. "I think we're getting better. It's just not happening as fast as we'd like it. But we're holding on, instead of letting them take over like in the Wake Forest game. So we're learning."


 

Miami, FSU woes proof of parity
By Jerry Ratcliffe / jratcliffe@dailyprogress.com | 978-7251
October 18, 2007

Scattershooting around the ACC, while wondering why major college football is turned upside down ...

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, who has won more games than anyone on that level thinks he has the answer.

“I’m sure parity plays a big part in the thing,” Bowden said Wednesday during the ACC coaches’ teleconference. “After parity comes attitude. When we put our winning streaks together our biggest enemy was complacency.”

Quoting Dylan

After taking in the Bob Dylan concert here a couple of weeks ago, it is appropriate to borrow one of his song titles to sum up this week’s Florida State-Miami game: “Times Have Changed.”

After being nationally televised for what seemed like forever, even kicking off college football’s opening weekend the last few years, Saturday’s clash between the Seminoles (4-2) and Hurricanes (4-3) has been relegated to regional TV by ABC.

“The last 25 years it has been the best rivalry in the country,” Bowden said. “You’ve got seven national champions coming out of the two. That can change. Has it lost its luster? Not to the players, not to the coaches, not to our fans. As far as a national aspect it has. It’s a year-to-year thing.”

Would you have ever thought that out of 119 major college teams that FSU would be ranked No. 93 in total offense and Miami would be No. 95?

They still have two of the top 25 defenses.

How legit is UVa?

That was one of the popular questions of the day during the coaches’ teleconference.

“I can only speak to the time we played,” said UNC coach Butch Davis of the 6-1 Cavs. “They’re a big, physical team. Chris Long has to be one of the premier defensive linemen in the country. They do a good job of running the football and don’t beat themselves.”

Duke’s Ted Roof echoed those sentiments, as did Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen.

Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey said: “[The Cavaliers] are doing something right. They’re winning close games. If you can win a bunch of them, you’ve got yourself a good year, and so far they’ve been able to do that.”

Praising Ryan

N.C. State’s Tom O’Brien, who coached Boston College for 10 years before taking the job in Raleigh last winter, said that BC quarterback Matt Ryan, a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, is even better than before.

“Last year he played on one leg,” O’Brien said. “He had a high ankle sprain and then broke his foot. He played with a peg leg. He’s throwing the ball a heck of a lot better. He goes 1-2-3 on his pass progressions as well as any quarterback in the country.”

Good choice

The 82-degree temperature and high humidity at the Orange Bowl didn’t bother Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice last weekend. Neither did the Miami fans who booed him heartily and screamed: “You’re the wrong Choice,” and “You’re the second Choice.”

Turns out he was the right choice - 37 times.

That’s how many times the Tech back rushed, tallying a career-high 204 yards in the win over Miami. He gained nearly two-thirds of his real estate in the second half against a Hurricane defense that had previously yielded only 2.9 yards per carry to opposing rushers.

How many carries are too many?

Jackets coach Chan Gailey doesn’t think Choice has hit that number.

“He’s carried it 32, 32 and 37 times,” the Tech coach said. “You don’t like to do that. You don’t want to wear a guy out. But he seems to get stronger as you go. What do you say to a great player when he says he’s fine?

“It’s like a pitcher going nine innings nowadays. They probably can, but everybody takes them out after six or seven. We don’t make any bones about who the No. 1 carrier is. The guy behind him knows that one day it will be his turn.”

Peerman out

Is it just me, or does it seem like the ACC’s injury report gets longer each week?

Virginia coach Al Groh said Wednesday that leading rusher Cedric Peerman will not play at Maryland this week. Peerman suffered a foot injury in the first quarter at Middle Tennessee State. No word on his return.

Meanwhile, UVa cornerback Chris Cook’s status will be decided later in the week.

Virginia Tech is hurting, too. The Hokies, who don’t play this week (next game is a week from tonight in Blacksburg against Boston College on ESPN), may have lost one of its starting linebackers, Cam Martin, who has mononucleosis and is already listed as questionable for BC.

Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s right leg remains in a short cast for his high ankle sprain last week, and his status is questionable. As for linebacker Vince Hall, who broke his left wrist at Clemson two weeks ago, there is a slight chance he could play against the third-ranked Eagles.

Clemson, which is off this weekend, would have struggled if the Tigers had to play. At least a dozen players, including most of their offensive line, are on the injury list. All have a chance to play next week.

Boston College has lost senior left guard Ryan Poles to a torn Achilles’ tendon.

Maryland QB Jordan Steffy wants to play against Virginia on Saturday, but Friedgen doesn’t know if he’ll be ready. Steffy has improved since suffering the second concussion of his career on Sept. 29 at Rutgers. He also had one in 2004 during a game at Virginia Tech.

Terps guard Andrew Crummey’s broken left leg will keep him out at least until the last regular-season game and defensive tackle Travis Ivey (MCL) is out at least six weeks. Linebacker Rick Costa (neck injury/concussion) will not play against Virginia, but linebacker Erin Henderson (knee) may be back for this Saturday’s game.

Slumming John

Former UNC coach John Bunting and his wife are back in the Tar Heel state after spending their summer in Maine.

Bunting said he’s not planning on getting back into coaching but did attend summer NFL camps in Miami and San Francisco. He admitted that stirred the juices a bit.

He said he’s not bitter over being fired by his alma mater.

“I’d be lying if I said that it doesn’t bother me and the way that it was done,” Bunting said. “I cannot harbor or live in the present in those things because it would create resentment, which would create a lot of problems for me.”

Stat of the Week

310.86 - Virginia’s average of total offensive yards per game, which ranks No. 108 out of 119 Division I-A teams.

Quote of the Week

“You make it like a spring game and put the ball on the 30, offense versus defense, we’re undefeated.”

That was Clemson coach Tommy Bowden’s remarking that his Tigers wouldn’t have had any trouble with the past two opponents if special teams weren’t a part of the game.

Note to Tommy: Last time we checked, special teams were a HUGE part of the game. Don’t imagine the Clemson fans took a liking to Bowden’s excuses after back-to-back losses against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

Bye, bye Orange Bowl

Miami is planning some big doings for the last game ever at Orange Bowl Stadium on Nov. 10 when Virginia comes to town.

The Hurricanes have invited back every former player for the game, which will add to the atmosphere.

Miami grad Jon Secada, a Cuban-American Grammy winner, will reportedly provide some entertainment for the evening and former Hurricane turned pro wrestler turned actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will host the stadium’s farewell ceremony.

Tickets to the game are still on sale.

Jacket returns

Remember Georgia Tech receiver Correy Earls, who was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center after a collision with Cavalier defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald a few weeks ago?

Earls returned to action last week for the Yellow Jackets and caught a 13-yard pass against Miami, plus played on the kickoff return team.

“I feel good, as crazy as that may sound,” Earls said.

That was not the case on Sept. 22 when everyone at Scott Stadium was concerned for Earls’ health.

“I think I moved my fingers and my toes but I couldn’t move my arms,” Earls said of his condition after the collision. “I had a real tingly feeling going through my whole body. I just went numb for a while.”

Short yardage ...

Virginia Tech is 13-1 in ACC road games since joining the conference three seasons ago. ... The Kenan Stadium crowd, infamous for leaving games early when the Tar Heels trail, stayed to the end last weekend when the 61,000 on hand gave a standing ovation to the Carolina players in a close home loss against South Carolina. ... If Duke loses at FSU in two weeks it will be the Devils’ 22nd consecutive ACC loss, breaking their own record for league futility. ... N.C. State ranks dead last nationally in turnover margin.

The picks

Last week: 5-1. To date: 43-16. This week: Clemson 35, Central Michigan 17; Florida State 27, Miami 20; Wake Forest 33, Navy 24; Georgia Tech 44, Army 10; East Carolina 37, N.C. State 21; Maryland 27, Virginia 17.