Barker giving Cavs' line big boost
Virginia OL Will Barker is playing up to his potential after rebounding from some off-field issues.
Doug Doughty

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- The anticipated showdown between Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe and Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson has resulted in an unexpected recognition for Monroe's linemate, Will Barker.

Barker, who spent considerable time lined up against Johnson, was named ACC offensive lineman of the week for his contributions to a 24-17 UVa victory over the Yellow Jackets.

Not that Barker would have thought to inquire about his chances.

"Will doesn't have that much to say," UVa head coach Al Groh said earlier this week. "In fact, I called his dad to tell him that I had some happy news, that [Barker] was the ACC player of the week. I thought that, perhaps, he might not have known.

"He said that someone had sent him an e-mail. I said that I was calling because Will was not the type to call him up and say, 'I'm the ACC lineman of the week.' He said, 'Matter of fact, I got it from someone other than Will.'"

Turns out, Will didn't know.

"I found out from my mom," Barker said. "I don't know how it works."

First, a player must be nominated. The way Barker played over the first month of the season, nobody would have thought to nominate him.

"I don't think I could put my finger on one difference," said Barker, a fourth-year junior from Bryn Mawr, Pa. "Getting some of the off-field issues definitely helped my focus. I can focus entirely on football now, especially the last five or six weeks."

Barker was referring to an incident July 26 in which he was charged with petty larceny for taking beer from a cooler at a Charlottesville after-hours club.

Barker did not face team sanctions, but it was more than two months before his case was heard in Charlottesville General District Court, where he was found not guilty Oct. 6. The judgment came down two days after Virginia's 31-0 victory over Maryland, the first of four straight UVa wins.

Groh said he never asked Barker about the strain Barker may have been feeling about his court case, "but it's a weighty matter to hang over any kid, particularly when it's given the unnecessary public scrutiny that it got.

"He's a kid who tries the do the right thing and it bothered him. Probably, once that deck was properly cleared, he was able to relax a little bit."

For the first month of the season, Barker looked nothing like a player who has started all 33 games of his college career. At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, he should have been dominating. But he was collecting holding penalties and allowing blow-by sacks.

"It was always in the back of my mind," Barker said of his court case. "I went through camp and the early part of the season trying not to think about it [and] trying to focus on the team. I thought I did a pretty good job of that. But, being cleared from everything and having a clean slate really helped a lot."

Barker was recognized for not allowing a sack by either of Tech's defensive ends, Johnson or promising sophomore Derrick Morgan. The Cavaliers were on pace for a third straight 400-yard afternoon until three late kneeldowns left them at 396.

"Going against somebody as athletic as Michael Johnson is definitely a challenge," Barker said.

"But, you've got to remember, I went up against Chris [Long] every day in practice and that was huge. Things didn't always go your way but you knew you were getting better."
 

Double duty for back’s parents
By Jay Jenkins
Published: October 29, 2008

On the surface, it would appear that Cedric Peerman does not possess a selfish bone in his body.

That is not completely true.

Virginia’s leading running back and emotional offensive leader enjoys making plays and scoring touchdowns while clinging to the hope that it brings a smile to the face of his biggest fan.

Peerman’s father, Stanley, works long hours every week to provide for his family.

Every weekend in the fall, however, football serves as Stanley’s escape from the hectic grind, just as it will when Virginia (5-3, 3-1 ACC) entertains Miami (5-3, 2-2) at Scott Stadium on Saturday.

Stanley has had reason to smile this season — Peerman ranks third in the ACC in rushing with 541 yards in seven games. He has also scored seven touchdowns and is tied for ninth in the league in scoring.

“It is just a big joy for a lot of people when I do well, but especially for my dad,” Peerman said. “He works his tail off during the week, and on Friday night he gets to see my younger brother play high school football, and then he gets to see me play on Saturday.

“That’s kind of his time to get away and relax and enjoy some football for a change and enjoy watching his sons.”

A devout Christian and an ordained minister, Peerman calls his father his hero.

“He just goes through so much,” he said. “I am just thankful to God that this can be his outlet from all his work and from all the things that he goes through.

“I think that’s the most gratifying thing to me.”

Stanley is not alone in the Peerman fan club. His wife, Melissa, is typically at his side when Peerman dismantles countless defensive players with his strong running style and powerful stiff-arm.

“My success has been good for her, too, because she goes through a lot herself,” Peerman said. “I am thankful that she can make it out there, too.”

Last year, when Peerman suffered a broken bone in his foot in the sixth game, Melissa ensured that her son remained positive.

“My mom has always been the glue and held everything together,” Peerman said. “That’s not to take anything away from my father, but certain people in your family play certain roles.

“My mom has just been this dynamic woman that held us together when things got rough. Last season there were difficult times that were difficult for me and she was always there helping me. It is a blessing to have a mom like that. She is the mother of mothers.”

Thus far, Peerman has been the running back of running backs.

Despite his success, Peerman said he debated attending a job fair on Tuesday at John Paul Jones Arena. If his success continues, the business world may have to wait.

And his father will have football games to watch on a different day of the week: Sunday.

 

ACC NOTES
Thursday, Oct 30, 2008 - 12:07 AM

ACC leading way right now in bowl chase
In 2006,'07 and again in'08, the ACC had eight teams that were eligible for bowls. The league could well top that mark this season.

Of the ACC's 12 teams, 10 have winning records. The exceptions are Clemson (3-4) and N.C. State (2-6), and every team in the conference has at least four regular-season games left.

No other Football Bowl Subdivision conference has more than seven teams with winning records.

Maryland and North Carolina already are bowl-eligible. Florida State, Boston College, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Miami are each a win away. Wake Forest and Duke need two more victories apiece.

The ACC has tie-ins with nine bowls. That group includes the new EagleBank Bowl, which will be played Dec. 20 at RFK Stadium in Washington. ESPN will televise the 11 a.m. game.

Wilson is on target
N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown 117 consecutive passes without an interception. That's the longest such streak at State since Philip Rivers threw 126 passes without a pick in 2003.

Wilson, a redshirt freshman, starred at Collegiate School.

One for the ages
For the first time in 37 years, Duke and Wake Forest will meet when each team has a winning record overall.

The Demon Deacons (2-2, 4-3) host the Blue Devils (1-2, 4-3) on Saturday.

In 1971, Wake was 5-4 and Duke was 6-3 when they met in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Deacons won 23-7.

U.Va. lining up nonconference foes
Virginia's nonconference opponents in 2009 will include Texas Christian, which is scheduled to visit Scott Stadium. The return game in Fort Worth is expected to be played in 2011 or 2012.

U.Va. and TCU have met once, in the 1994 Independence Bowl, with Virginia winning 20-10.

In 2009, Virginia will play at Southern Mississippi and host three out-of-league opponents in Charlottesville: TCU, a Mid-American Conference foe and a Football Championship Subdivision team, the last two still to be determined.

TCU, from the Mountain West Conference, is ranked No.12 in the latest Associated Press poll.

FSU coach not that impressed with his team
Of the three ACC teams in the AP Top 25, No.16 Florida State has the highest ranking. Still, Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden said, "I don't think we're strong enough yet to blow people out. It seems like everybody has blowouts except for us. We've had to play 60 minutes every game."

Atlantic Division leader FSU (3-1, 6-1) plays at Georgia Tech (3-2, 6-2) on Saturday.

Looking for offense
Among ACC teams, Wake Forest ranks 10th in total offense and last in scoring offense. The Deacons are averaging 17.4 points per game.

"We've been waiting for somebody to emerge as a playmaker, but that hasn't happened," Wake coach Jim Grobe said.

Hokies are preparing for the home stretch
Lane Stadium has never looked more inviting to Virginia Tech's players and coaches.

Since beating Georgia Tech in Blacksburg on Sept. 13, the Hokies have played at home only once, against Western Kentucky on Oct. 4.

"It's been kind of an unusual schedule," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "Yeah, we're eager to get back home with our fans."

The Hokies, off this weekend, play three of their final four regular-season games at Lane Stadium, starting next Thursday night against Maryland.

Beamer and Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen are longtime friends and former colleagues. As ACC head coaches, they've met twice. Tech whipped Maryland 55-6 in 2004 and 28-9 in'05.

"It's always hard when you compete against your friends," Friedgen said. "But we're in the same league, so it's going to happen."

Heels QB Yates back at practice
North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates, who fractured his left ankle Sept. 20 against Virginia Tech, has returned to practice on a limited basis. He's participating in noncontact drills.

"He'll do that this week, and we'll judge how he handles it," UNC coach Butch Davis said. "He's still a ways away."

The No.21 Tar Heels (2-2, 6-2) are off this weekend. Carolina hosts Georgia Tech on Nov. 8. -- Jeff White
 

Mediocre ACC is difficult to figure
David Teel
October 30, 2008

One month to untangle 11 teams. That's what November promises as ACC football enters the second half of its conference schedule.

Say what you will about the league's mediocre talent. There's no denying the weekly head-scratching results and subsequent entertainment value.

"Every Saturday is a new experience," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "It's wide open, that's for sure."

Indeed, of the ACC's 12 teams, only North Carolina State has no shot at winning its division. Lumping perennial doormat Duke and preseason favorite Clemson with N.C. State is tempting, but the Blue Devils won impressively at Vanderbilt last week, and the Tigers' three conference losses are by a combined 11 points.

For the second consecutive year, Virginia embodies the zaniness. Last season, the Cavaliers won six games by less than a touchdown; this season they've won four straight as underdogs.

"We're halfway through the conference season," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "We might not win another game ... and we might win 'em all. I can see where every one of them is going to be hard to win, and I can see where every one of them we have a chance. I think the players see that, too. …

"It has been hard enough in each one of (the four recent victories) that we can see that the margin is very, very small, and if we do anything less than what we've done, it probably won't be enough."

A glance at each team's prospects, with the caveat that this summer I anointed Clemson as the champion-to-be.

ATLANTIC DIVISION
Florida State: The Seminoles committed 11 turnovers in their first two ACC games, none in their last two. Now that's progress. Their conference finale, at Maryland, looms large.

Maryland: Pitiful in a 31-0 loss at Virginia, the Terps are 5-0 at home. Stealing one of two remaining road tests — Virginia Tech and Boston College — likely would land them in the ACC title game.

Boston College: How the Eagles have won four of their last six while committing 18 turnovers is beyond my meager comprehension. Quarterback Chris Crane is as skittish as Joe Biden on the stump.

Wake Forest: Four home games among the last five bode well. Four touchdowns in the last four outings bode ill.

Clemson: Think Florida State coach Bobby Bowden will twist the knife when the school that dumped his son comes to Tallahassee? Dabo Swinney, we hardly knew ya.

N.C. State: The Wolfpack must run the table to avoid a third consecutive losing season. Not happenin'. The last time State endured such lean times was 1983-85.

COASTAL DIVISION
Virginia: Win the next three and the Cavaliers could clinch the division before their finale at Virginia Tech. One more win and I'm calling 1-800-ILOVEAL to purchase bandwagon tickets.

Georgia Tech: Unless the Yellow Jackets' secondary gets healthy in a hurry, they'll lose Saturday to Florida State and be toast.

Virginia Tech: The schedule — three of four at home — sets up nicely. But the karma around the Hokies went from bad to toxic with last week's injuries to quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon. Trainer Mike Goforth may well determine Tech's fate.

North Carolina: The odds are against them, but if any team is going to win out, the Tar Heels are the best bet. If Brandon Tate weren't injured and Butch Davis hadn't brain-cramped with the prevent defense at Virginia, Carolina would be cruising.

Miami: Everyone raves about the Hurricanes' young players. But their inexperienced head coach, Randy Shannon, has yet to demonstrate his sideline chops. Upcoming games against Virginia and Virginia Tech will reveal plenty.

Duke: Two more victories and bowl eligibility are about all you can ask from a program that was 4-42 the previous four years. Anything more and David Cutcliffe enters the discussion for national coach of the year.

"I told the team, 'Welcome to November,' " Cutcliffe said. "It's their first real trip to November in college football. I want them to enjoy the challenge and the opportunity they have. Now we have to fight like crazy to stay in it."

Similar sentiments echo throughout the conference.

 

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Robert Marve learning when to force the ball
University of Miami's Holmes glad to be back in the game
By SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

Quarterback Robert Marve told reporters this week that the things he has been happy with about himself this season are ``managing the game, making the play when it's time to be made and sticking it in there to fight.''

He said his biggest challenge has been ``knowing when to be smart with a play -- when to know when a good time to force the ball is and when not to force the ball.''

When is a good time to force it?

'There are a lot of different situations. Two-minute drill when you know you need it. A third-down play. When you say, `force the ball,' you can force a ball into an interception or you can force it into the right play. . . . Then there's another thing of wanting it too bad and going after something where maybe the ball shouldn't be there.''

Was that the case in the final play against North Carolina, when a defender seemed to take the ball out of Kayne Farquharson's hands for an interception?

''No,'' Marve said. ``I thought that was the right ball in the right situation. I put everything on it. They dropped eight people back. You'll see that in the Virginia game. It's hard to throw against eight.''

• UM has a short practice this morning and will leave for Charlottesville on Friday.


 

University of Miami's Holmes glad to be back in the game
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Robert Marve learning when to force the ball
BY SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

Third-year sophomore defensive tackle Josh Holmes was completely happy Saturday when he played against Wake Forest -- and understandably so. It was Holmes' first game since taking part in seven plays at North Carolina on Oct. 6, 2007.

His only other game action for the University of Miami: playing 14 snaps against Duke in September of 2007, when he made three tackles and one quarterback pressure.

''Overall, to get back out there, I was excited,'' he said, adding that the speed of the game was at first a bit overwhelming. 'I was like, `Oh, man, this is moving kind of fast.' But then I settled down and went back out there the next series and made a play, and it got me to calm down a little.''

Holmes, out of Point Loma High School in San Diego, has been injured much of his UM career. He most recently sustained a knee injury during the spring.

''I wasn't optimistic about him playing,'' UM coach Randy Shannon said Wednesday after practice. ``But he worked hard in the weight room and we gave him about two weeks of getting pounded on by the offensive linemen on scout team.

'The first week he was sore. The second week he felt a little bit better and the third week was last week and we said, `Let's give him about 10 plays and see what he can do.' He played 10 plays in the game and was very active as far as getting penetration. Now he doesn't have any more pain. We may use him about 15, 20 plays a game. He'll give us more depth.''

Holmes, listed as 6-0 and 279 pounds, ''is a squatty guy, short guy, but very quick on the football,'' Shannon said. ``If you talk to offensive linemen such as Orlando [Franklin], they'll tell you how quick and powerful he is. . . .''

UVA PLAYER ARRESTED

The University of Virginia Police Department released a statement Friday saying that starting fullback RashawnJackson was charged ``in connection with a breaking and entering incident that occurred on November 22, 2007 at Cauthen Dorm.

``Mr. Jackson was charged with one count of breaking and entering and one count of grand larceny. He was held in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail on a secured bond.''

Jackson, 21, is listed on the UVA depth chart as a 6-1, 253-pound junior, and is the lead blocker in goal-line packages. Virginia (5-3, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) is ranked 104th nationally in rushing offense and 109th in scoring offense.

According to wcav.tv, Jackson's hearing has been continued until Nov. 20. The website said this is the sixth Cavaliers football player arrested this year.

''At this time Rashawn Jackson is still a participating member of the football team,'' according to a statement released by the UVA media relations department Wednesday evening.

• Shannon said linebacker Romeo Davis, who returned to play last week after a knee injury, ``did a great job. He made three or four tackles that were key plays.''


 

U.Va. fullback arrested
Rashawn Jackson's status for Saturday hasn't been revealed
Thursday, Oct 30, 2008 - 12:07 AM
By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

The Cavaliers' top fullback, Rashawn Jackson, is facing two felony charges.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Another University of Virginia football player is in trouble with the law.

Rashawn Jackson, the team's No.1 fullback, was arrested this week by U.Va. police. He faces two felony charges related to an incident on Thanksgiving last year at a first-year dormitory at U.Va.

Jackson, a redshirt junior from Jersey City, N.J., was charged with grand larceny and breaking and entering.

Virginia hosts ACC rival Miami on Saturday at Scott Stadium. If Jackson has been ruled out for the game, nobody at U.Va. is saying so publicly.

Cavaliers coach Al Groh was not available for comment. In a statement released last night, Athletic Director Craig Littlepage said: "At this time Rashawn Jackson is still a participating member of the football team. This matter will be handled within the team and the athletics department, and his final status with the team will not be determined until such time as the legal process is resolved or additional information becomes available. The athletics department will not have additional comment until this case is resolved."

Jackson, 21, appeared in Albemarle General District Court yesterday. His next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 20.

He reportedly stole a video-game console from Cauthen Dorm on Nov. 22, 2007. Why police waited nearly a year to charge Jackson is not clear. Lt. Melissa Fielding, the spokesperson for the U.Va. police department, could not be reached for comment last night.

The 6-1 245-pound Jackson has carried 15 times for 60 yards this season. He's gained 59 yards on 10 receptions.

At St. Peter's Prep, Jackson's classmates included Mike Brown, and they were part of the recruiting class that arrived at U.Va. in 2005. Brown, a cornerback, was kicked off the team in August after a series of off-the-field problems.

In March, U.Va. police charged Brown with three felonies -- one count each of grand larceny, possession of stolen property with intent to sell, and altering serial numbers. That case has been continued until March 2009.

In April, Charlottesville police arrested Brown and charged him with DWI and refusing to take a blood/breath test, both misdemeanors.

Also this year, U.Va. football players J'Courtney Williams, Peter Lalich, Will Barker and Dave Roberts faced criminal charges.

Williams and Lalich no longer are at U.Va. Barker and Roberts were acquitted of misdemeanor charges and still are on the team.

 

Cavs’ Jackson faces charges after arrest
By The Daily Progress Staff
Published: October 29, 2008

The streak of University of Virginia football players running into legal trouble grew longer Wednesday when starting junior fullback Rashawn Lamont Jackson was charged with grand larceny and breaking and entering.

The felony charges stem from a Nov. 22 theft at Cauthen Dorm, according to UVa police Lt. Melissa Fielding.

Jackson, a 21-year-old from Jersey City, N.J., had a bond hearing Wednesday morning in Albemarle County General District Court. It could not be determined whether he received bond by The Daily Progress’ deadline.

“At this time, Rashawn Jackson is still a participating member of the football team,” said Craig Littlepage, UVa’s athletics director. “This matter will be handled within the team and the athletics department, and his final status with the team will not be determined until such time as the legal process is resolved or additional information becomes available.”

UVa has pulled off a string of surprising upsets of late, but there have been numerous disappointments off the field this season.

In January, the team announced that four of its players were no longer enrolled at UVa, including sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell, junior cornerback Chris Cook, redshirt freshman wide receiver Chris Dalton and redshirt freshman linebacker Darnell Carter. The players left the university for academic reasons, according to sources.

The following month, cornerback Mike Brown was arrested and accused of stealing stereo equipment and trying to sell it on eBay. A grand jury certified his case and it remains in the court system. He is no longer on the team.

In April, redshirt freshman J’Courtney Rydell Williams was arrested on a credit card theft charge. He pleaded guilty in May and received a four-day jail sentence. Coach Al Groh kicked him off the team shortly after his arrest.

In July, two players were charged with stealing beer from Club 216. They were cleared earlier this month in Charlottesville General District Court.

But one of the players, Dave Roberts, pleaded guilty to possession of a fake ID and entered a pre-conviction probation program. He is still on the team roster.

Roberts agreed to take part in the same program former UVa quarterback Peter Lalich enrolled in for similar charges. Lalich drank alcohol while in the program and was kicked off the team. He has since left UVa.