Memorable plays against Terps put Cavs’ Simpson in spotlight
By Michael Phillips
Published: October 15, 2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE Did he get the first down? How about the touchdown?

Two years later, that's still asked of Mikell Simpson's fourth-quarter heroics against Maryland -- a pair of plays that went upstairs to the replay booth and still brings strong feelings out of both sides.

The 18-17 victory for U.Va. was the seventh consecutive for the team, as well as a breakout game for the then-sophomore running back. His opportunity came as a result of injuries to the players in front of him.

This week, the rivalry could offer a similar opportunity to one of the Hoos' young rushers, though Simpson will make every effort to play after being carted off the field last Saturday with a neck injury. He's already back to working out with the team.

Fullback Rashawn Jackson said that Simpson's status won't affect how the team approaches the game.

"We go all out every day -- it's pretty up-tempo, pretty physical," Jackson said. "So whether or not Mikell's in, we'll be ready to go."

Simpson also would like to play because it's the closest U.Va. gets to his hometown of Harrisburg, Pa. He certainly gave friends and family something to cheer about two years ago, starting with a fourth-and-4 run with fewer than 42 seconds left.

"The energy in that stadium was one of the most surreal experiences of my life," linebacker Aaron Clark said. "We were all on the sideline holding hands, watching plays, not watching plays, trying to figure out if he made the first down."

The fourth-down gain went to video replay, a close call that was ultimately upheld. Asked Monday if it was a legit call, Clark laughed before offering a playful "no comment."

That wasn't the end of the excitement, though. From the 1-yard line, Simpson dived over the goal line, crossing it right before he fumbled the ball, a turnover that would have ended the game. Instead, it was the winning touchdown.

The close finish was typical of what the rivalry has produced in recent years. "We take it personally, and I'm sure they do too," Jackson said. "I'm sure there's a little extra enthusiasm and anxiety from both sides this week."

Coach Al Groh said that Saturday will be a measuring stick for how far the team has come since the beginning of the year. Just as that '07 victory was part of a run that followed a loss to Wyoming, this year's game also comes in the midst of a two-game winning streak that followed some bad losses.

"This will be a critical challenge for us, to find out just how much consistency we're developing," he said. "Otherwise, it's just a sporadic start-and-sputter thing."

Regardless of the outcome, it will be tough to deliver an encore to the show the teams put on in College Park two years ago.

"It was a great football experience," Clark said. "That's definitely something I'll remember forever."
 

Terps compete despite losses
By Jerry Ratcliffe
Published: October 15, 2009

Scattershooting around the ACC, while wondering what Ralph Friedgen has in store for the Wahoos on Saturday ...

Maryland struggled to start the season and then came back to stun Clemson before losing in a shootout against Wake Forest last weekend. So, can Virginia cross the Potomac and beat Friedgen’s Terps for a third straight year?

Big Ralph isn’t about to throw in the towel even though his defense is ranked No. 114 out of 120 in points allowed and No. 99 against the rush. The Terps are also No. 117 in turnover margin and No. 102 in total defense. Maryland, hampered with a patchwork offensive line, is having a hard time running the football as well, ranked No. 105 in the country in rushing.

“I don’t think we’re out of it,” Friedgen said of his team’s chances to win the Atlantic Division.

The Terps are 2-4 overall, but still 1-1 in the league.

“Florida State has three losses and everybody but us and Wake Forest has two losses [in league play],” the Fridge said. “Wake plays Clemson at Clemson this week. Who knows what will happen? We have to take care of our business and find a way to start winning again.”

His team is beaten-up, but Friedgen believes his team can still win.

“I don’t want to use [injuries] as an excuse,” the coach said. “When you lose your best corner, best running back, your punter, your best left tackle, it stretches you. It really does. You have a young team to start with, and all those guys are veterans.”

Who’s No. 1?

When chatting with former Virginia coach George Welsh recently, we discussed the Legends Poll that he votes in weekly. It just might be the most legitimate of all the polls out there because there are 17 former star head coaches watching films of the top teams, talking about what they see in a teleconference, then voting on the top 25.

So, who does Welsh like?

“I voted Florida No. 1, but I’m not sure anymore,” Welsh said. “According to what I’ve heard on those conference calls every Monday, Alabama may be the best team in the [SEC] conference. They have balance, power, the running game, the passing game.”

Welsh believes the SEC is clearly the best league in the nation.

“I don’t think there’s any comparison to the rest of the leagues in the country,” Welsh said. “I think they’re more physical than the rest of the country week a fter week and they have playmakers.”

Overrated ....

Welsh wasn’t afraid to throw some opinions around either.

“I’m not sure that Texas isn’t overrated,” he said. “I think Boise State belongs in the top 10. I always thought that North Carolina was overrated and I think Georgia Tech is overrated ... you can quote me on that. Some teams don’t know how to defend [Georgia Tech’s] offense, but when they do, [the Jackets] can’t throw the ball. ...Somebody said on the [conference] call that ‘California ... they’re a fraud.’’”

Beware the Hokies

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson knows that even though his team is winning, it will have to play much better defense to beat visiting Virginia Tech in a huge Coastal Division showdown this Saturday in Atlanta.

In recent wins against Mississippi State and Florida State, the Yellow Jackets surrendered 487 yards and 539 yards. If the Jackets allow those kinds of yards to the Hokies, there’s no question Virginia Tech will prevail.

Johnson would like his defense to play like the Virginians.

“Virginia Tech’s defense plays fast,” the Georgia Tech coach said. “They don’t have players standing around looking like they don’t know what they are doing. They look like they know what they are doing. That’s where we need to get.”

Quote of the week

When asked at his weekly press conference how much better he thought QB Jameel Sewell could get over the rest of the season, Virginia coach Al Groh bent over as if to look under the table and said:

“Let me get my crystal ball up here,” said Groh drawing chuckles from the media. “We certainly don’t want to put a cap on that, but that would be hard for me to speculate. If I could tell you that, I would buy stocks low and sell high.”

Stat of the week

Clemson’s C.J. Spiller needs 55 yards to become the first player in ACC history with 6,000 all-purpose yards.

Stat of the week II

Sewell is now sixth on UVa’s career passing yards list with 4,474, having just passed his former offensive coordinator, Mike Groh. If Sewell continues on his current pace, the senior will finish third on the Cavaliers’ all-time list, behind only Shawn Moore (6,629) and Matt Schaub (7,502).

The wacky Atlantic

Who is going to win the ACC’s Atlantic Division?

Your guess is as good as mine, although I voted for Wake Forest in the preseason poll.

Currently Jim Grobe’s Deacons are in the lead with a 2-1 ACC record, but just about everyone else is still in it, even Florida State, which is off to a surprisingly poor 0-3 start.

One of the big games in the division will take place in Death Valley on Saturday when Wake Forest travels to 1-2 Clemson.

The Tigers believe that they can still win the division, a title that has eluded them since the ACC went to divisional play five years ago (BC won the past two years, Wake in ’06, and FSU in ’05). Clemson was the favorite last season but fell apart early.

“The door is wide open,” said Tigers cornerback Crezdon Butler. “We know that, and the coaches know that. We just have to be more focused. This is big. It’s a must-win for us.”

In two of the four previous races, the division champ had three losses: FSU in 2005 and BC last season.

Wolfpack packing money

N.C. State will be packing some cash for its trip to Boston College.

Wolfpack officials took donations at last Saturday’s game against Duke and several N.C. State players have donated to a fund for the treatment of Ewing’s Sarcoma, a cancer that struck BC linebacker Mark Herzlich, who is fighting the disease while sitting out this season.

Herzlich was the 2008 ACC defensive player of the year.

State players raised more than $2,000, donating their meal money to help out Herzlich, who used to play for current N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien.

“He’s very up-spirited,” said O’Brien, who talked to Herzlich two weeks ago. “He received a good medial report and he’s very positive.”

Not so blue

Duke’s road blues are over.

The Blue Devils had lost their last 20 ACC road games until Saturday’s fourth-quarter breakaway at N.C. State.

Because of QB Thaddeus Lewis, who completed 40 of 50 passes in that game, Duke is no longer a gimme. Lewis threw for 459 yards and broke Ben Bennett’s record for career TDs by a Blue Devil with 59 for his career (Bennett’s mark was 55).

All this left Coach David Cutcliffe to say about his quarterback: “I told [Lewis] it was the best game I’ve ever had a quarterback play.”

That’s pretty high cotton, considering that Cutcliffe used to coach Peyton and Eli Manning.

The picks

Last week: 6-1 (Why can’t I ever pick N.C. State right?). To date: 37-15. This week: Miami 38, UCF 10; Boston College 20, N.C. State 17; Wake Forest 24, Clemson 21; Virginia Tech 36, Georgia Tech 26; Virginia 30, Maryland 20.
 

Self-parity in the Atlantic
By Jay Jenkins
Published: October 15, 2009

Rumors have swirled about his job security.

His defense has played haplessly, giving up 30-plus points in five games and rank last in the ACC in scoring defense, rushing defense and turnover margin.

The team has just two wins this season, including one against an FBS opponent in overtime.

Yet somehow, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen has elected to take a positive approach to a season that could be his last in College Park, Md.

It certainly helps that the Terrapins (2-4, 1-1 ACC) reside in the stunningly-bad Atlantic Division.

The six-team division boasts four teams with at least two losses in conference play.

“As strange as things are, here we are at 2-4,” Friedgen said with a positive tone. “Obviously if we had won last week we’d be in a very good situation, but the way [our division] is, everybody but Wake and Maryland has two losses.

“Wake plays Clemson this week in a big game. We’re right in this thing if we could just get going.”

The players are not oblivious the standings.

“I think we are number two in the ACC on our side,” Maryland wideout Adrian Cannon said. “We just have to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I’m just focused on us and getting better every day, limiting our mistakes and taking advantage of opportunities.”

While injuries have mounted on Maryland’s offensive line and the program has lost three of is past four games, production in practice has remained a constant for Friedgen.

“I haven’t changed how I feel about these guys. They came out and practiced hard [Monday] night. If anything, I’m proud of them,” he said. “We’ve got some guys that are nicked up and I’m trying to take it easy on them a little bit so we can get them well, but yet they still want to go.

“That’s a thing I appreciate very much and kind of love them for it.”

Could a rivalry game with Virginia (2-3, 1-0) provide the Terps with the lift needed to challenge for a spot in the ACC championship game?

If the second half against Wake Forest last week was any indication, Maryland could be on the verge of solving some of its problems.

The Terps outscored the Demon Deacons 22-7 in the second half, making a lopsided affair somewhat respectable.

“If there’s any strength I draw from our players, it’s the fact that it was 35-10 and everything was going wrong and we had some injuries and yet we played a lot better in the second half,” Friedgen said. “That game could come down to an onside kick with us three points down. I draw strength from that because of the type of players we have … that they hung in there. I’ve been in other situations where that wasn’t necessarily the case.

“I still have a lot of optimism about this season and I’m hoping we can get a win this weekend and then see where we are health-wise by the stretch run at the end.”

Friedgen said facing a rival and a team that embarrassed Maryland last year could be the perfect recipe for a turnaround.

“I think if you’d ask the Virginia players, they would say the same thing. The kids all know each other,” he said. “A lot of them have gone to school with each other. We have Virginia kids, they have D.C. and Maryland kids.

“I think, over the years, and even since Al Groh and I played, it’s always been a rivalry. They have Virginia Tech also, but I think Maryland’s a rivalry to them and I think it’s a rivalry for our guys, too.”

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner agreed.

“It means a lot because it’s really the only rivalry that we have,” he said. “I know Virginia has other in-state rivals — Virginia Tech and all. So for us it’s a big game every year, regardless of records.

“It’s a rivalry game and both sides come out pretty fired up.”
 

Reflecting on a trio of football legends
By Jerry Ratcliffe
Published: October 14, 2009

Hard to believe it has been nearly a decade since George Welsh graced the sidelines at Scott Stadium.

Welsh, who retired after the 2000 season at age 67, perhaps called it quits too early. At the time it seemed right in his mind. He was worn down, having trouble sleeping and concerned about his health.

Still, the Hall of Fame coach marvels at how his longtime friend, Penn State’s Joe Paterno, and Florida State’s Bobby Bowden, a formal rival, have kept going.

Paterno and Bowden are the two winningest coaches in major college football history.

Can’t please everyone

Yet both have come under fire from their fan bases — Paterno a few years back, Bowden only last week when an FSU board of trustees member said it was time for the coach to hang it up.

Welsh, who took a downtrodden Virginia football program to unprecedented heights in one of the best coaching performances in the game’s history, wasn’t treated so kindly by a portion of the Cavaliers’ fan base his last couple of years on the job. While all coaches know that criticism comes with the territory, impatient fans with sometimes unrealistic expectations can exhibit an amazing lack of class in such instances.

Like this columnist, Welsh found it mind-boggling that some fans would call for Bowden’s head.

He’s earned the right

“I think, at this stage, that Bowden should be the one that determines when he steps down,” Welsh said. “That should be his choice. I mean, how much can you do for a university? He had top-10 finishes and 10 wins a year for 10 straight years. I don’t know if that will ever happen again in college football.”

Actually, it was 14 consecutive years with at least 10 wins, but in 10 of those seasons, it was 11 or 12 wins.

“He’s a really good coach,” Welsh said. “I think it’s ridiculous the way they’re treating Bowden. I think he should be given a long leash. What do they expect, a national championship every year?”

The former Virginia and Navy coach isn’t quite sure why there is so much criticism. Maybe part of it is jealousy because Florida has been so successful the past few years and Miami is starting to come on after tumbling. There’s also South Florida, which beat FSU a few weeks ago and is possibly the best team in the Big East.

Welsh said the only difference he can tell since the days he coached against the Seminoles is that FSU used to feature a great pass rush and doesn’t seem to have that going any more. When Mark Richt was the ’Noles’ offensive coordinator, Welsh remembered that FSU seemed to be able to change the tempo of a game from hurry-up to not hurry-up.

“I think the problem is — and this is my personal opinion now — there should never be an announced ‘Coach in Waiting,’ never,” Welsh said. “Maryland’s done it, and look what’s happened up there. Maybe they can bring it back. I don’t know [Florida State’s] Jimbo Fisher, but I just don’t understand that concept.”

Welsh, who still lives in the Charlottesville area and is a member of the Legends Poll, a collection of some of the most recognizable retired coaches in college football, remembered that it wasn’t long ago until a group of disgruntled Penn State fans tried to run Paterno out of Happy Valley.

They said he was too old, that the game had passed him by after the Lions went 3-9 and 4-7 in 2003 and ’04.

JoePa weathered the storm and is 45-12 since then.

“How can you beat that?” Welsh said. “I think what they did was reorganize at Penn State and did a better recruiting job.”

Welsh said he doesn’t know how involved Bowden is in the day-to-day operations at Florida State anymore, but he does know what’s going on at Penn State. Welsh and Paterno have been close friends since they coached together under Rip Engle, Paterno’s predecessor.

“Paterno is intimately involved,” Welsh said. “He doesn’t call the plays anymore but he’s making decisions on what they want to do on offense and he’s very much involved in practice and in game days. He’s chewing kids out on the sidelines still [Welsh paused for a chuckle] now that he’s on the sidelines again.”

For a while it seemed that these two giants of the game, Bowden and Paterno, were locked in a dance to determine who would go out as the king of wins in major college football.

Bowden’s son, Tommy, once joked to this writer that, “the first one who dies loses.”

Now it seems that Bobby Bowden will be the first guy out. He will likely call it quits after either this season or 2010. Bowden, who will turn 80 years old on Nov. 8, has 384 career wins. Paterno, who is 82, has 388.

Welsh can’t believe either one of ’em is still going.

“I have no idea how they did it,” Welsh said. “I don’t know Bobby’s temperament, but he told me way back when that if he went 7-4 for three or four straight years, that he was going to quit. Joe doesn’t want to give it up.

“I think they have a different temperament than I do and most of us, most coaches have,” Welsh said. “I kind of wore out at a certain stage and most coaches do — well, except for Amos Alonzo Stagg.”

Stagg coached college football as either an assistant or head coach from 1890 to 1958.

I’m in total agreement with Welsh. These two legendary figures should coach as long as they have good health, which they both do, and as long as they feel like it.

These two men of outstanding character are good for college football.

They’ve earned the right to call their own shot.
 

Wahoos Travel to Maryland for 4 p.m. Saturday Game
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 10/14/2009

Game 6 • Oct. 17 • 4 p.m.
Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium
Game Details
Playing Surface: Grass
Series vs. UM: Maryland leads, 41-30-2
at College Park: Maryland leads, 20-11-2
Webcast: ESPNU
P-b-P: Todd Harris
Analyst: JC Pearson
Radio: Virginia Sports Network (affiliates)
P-b-P: Dave Koehn
Analyst: Frank Quayle
Sidelines: Chris Slade
Satellite Radio: XM Radio 191, Sirius 212
Live Stats: Click here for the link to the LiveStats page. Note: Link available 30 minutes before kickoff. Allow 1-2 minutes for it to load at the start.
Rosters: Virginia Maryland
Game Notes: Virginia Maryland
Statistics: Virginia Maryland
Five Things You Need To Know
• Virginia has won the last two meetings with Maryland, but the teams have split the last eight.
• UVa has played 12 true freshmen in the first five games.
• Jameel Sewell moved into sixth place on the UVa all-time passing ledger last week (4,474 yards).
• UVa's defense has allowed just 22 third-down conversions in 77 attempts (28.57%). That is tied for eighth-best in the FBS.
• Virginia's opponents are averaging 8.59 yards per completion - third fewest in the FBS (North Carolina, Florida).
Maryland-Virginia Series
• Maryland owns a 41-30-2 record in the series, including a 20-11-2 edge in College Park. UM also holds a 21-19 record in Charlottesville.
• Virginia has won back-to-back games in the series.
• The Cavaliers and Terps have played every season since 1957, the second-longest current streak for a Virginia opponent behind North Carolina (1910).
• Virginia and Maryland have met 73 times on the gridiron, making the Terps the fourth-most played opponent in UVa history (Virginia has faced North Carolina a record 114 times).
Maryland Natives on UVa Roster
• Virginia has nine natives of the state of Maryland on its 2009 roster:
QB Brendan Lane (Annapolis)
CB Rodney McLeod (Oxon Hill)
S Matt Leemhuis (Bethesda)
CB Devin Wallace (Fort Washington)
WR Raynard Horne (Baltimore)
LB Cam Johnson (Greenbelt)
LB Jeremiah Mathis (Bowie)
TE Colter Phillips (Darnestown)
NT Nick Jenkins (Westminster)
UVa Ground Game Key to Victory
• When the Cavaliers are able to run the ball, they increase their chances to win against Maryland.
• Overall UVa is 22-8 since 1937 when gaining at least 150 rushing yards.
• Virginia rushed for 201 yards last season and 191 yards in its wins over Maryland.
• In 2005, the Cavaliers rushed for 295 yards, their fourth-highest total ever against Maryland, to gain a 16-0 win.
• In the 2006 loss to Maryland, UVa rushed for 181 yards, ending a streak of 10 consecutive series wins with at least 150 yards.
• In contrast, when Virginia is unable to run the ball, Maryland typically comes out on top.
• Virginia has lost 15 consecutive games to Maryland when rushing for fewer than 100 yards, dating back to 1957.
• Since 1957 UVa has averaged 213.5 yards rushing in wins over the Terps and 119.8 yards in losses.
• Since 1937 the team with the most rushing yards is 55-5 and won all 38 meetings from 1937-86. The only years the loser had more occurred in 1987, 1990, 1998, 1999 and 2006.
Virginia Defense Tough vs. Terps
• Another factor that has enabled the Cavaliers to win 13 of the last 17 meetings against Maryland is an ability to hold the Terrapin offense in check.
• Virginia has held Maryland under 380 yards of offense 16 times since 1988 and won 14 of those games.
• Overall, Maryland has topped 200 yards rushing only four times since 1987 (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005).
Cavaliers Reverse Turnover Woes
• Virginia has not turned the ball over in its last two games and its last 35 possessions, dating to an interception in the second quarter of the Southern Miss game.
• After being minus-6 in turnover margin the first two games, UVa is plus-6 the last three games, including plus-5 in the two victories.
• Jameel Sewell has not been intercepted in his last 86 pass attempts, dating to the USM game.
Cavaliers Start Games Strong
• Virginia has been particularly strong on defense early in games this year, giving up just one score in the first quarter.
• UVa has not allowed an opponent to score in the first quarter since William & Mary reached the end zone in the opener.
• Virginia is outscoring its opponents 34-7 in the first quarter.
Octoberfest!
• Virginia has won six straight games in October, dating to 2008, and 11 of its past 12 games in that month.
• UVa last lost an October game on Oct. 27, 2007, a 29-24 defeat at NC State.
• The Cavaliers' last home loss in October was Oct. 14, 2006, to Maryland.
Twenty-Seven Cavaliers Earn First Playing Time
• Twelve true freshmen have played for UVa this season, while 11 redshirt freshmen have seen their first action.
• Overall, 27 UVa players have earned their first career playing time this year.
• 37 percent of the Cavalier players to see playing time this season have been freshmen (27 of 73).
Three More Make Debuts
• Sophomore TB Max Milien and true freshmen LB Tucker Windle and OL Oday Aboushi made their first college appearances last Saturday.
• Here are the 27 UVa players who have made their college debuts this season:
• True freshmen (12): Oday Aboushi, LoVante Battle, Will Hill, Quintin Hunter, Drew Jarrett, Perry Jones, Corey Lillard, LaRoy Reynolds, Tim Smith, Javanti Sparraw, Dominique Wallace, Tucker Windle.
• Redshirt freshmen (11): Javaris Brown, Steve Greer, Torrey Mack, Kyle McCartin, Matt Mihalik, Mike Price, Aaron Van Kuiken, Colter Phillips, Bill Schautz, Ausar Walcott, Devin Wallace.
• Others (4): sophomores Max Milien and Matt Snyder, juniors Patch Duda and Daniel Childress.
True Freshmen Get Chance to Shine
• Al Groh is not afraid to use true freshman, as evidenced by the 12 he already has played this year.
• Since Groh started as UVa's head coach in 2001, 65 true freshmen have seen playing time for the Cavaliers.
Offense Explodes vs. Indiana
• Virginia racked up 536 yards of total offense vs. Indiana - the program's most since tallying 549 vs. UNC on Sept. 11, 2004.
• The 536 yards is the second-most total offense by an ACC team this year (VT, 605 vs. Marshall).
• UVa's 29 first downs tied for the most by an ACC team this year (NCSU, 29 vs. Gardner-Webb).
Sewell Joins Select 300 List
• Jameel Sewell's 308-yard passing day vs. Indiana was his second 300-yard passing game (312 vs. Southern Miss).
• He is just the seventh QB at Virginia to record multiple 300-yard passing games.
• Sewell joins Matt Schaub (8), Aaron Brooks (6), Mike Groh (3), Shawn Moore (2), Marques Hagans (2) and Dan Ellis (2) to record more than one 300-yard game.
Sewell Moves Up Passing Charts
• With his 308-yard passing day against Indiana, Jameel Sewell moved into sixth place in career passing yards at Virginia.
• Sewell now has 4,474 career passing yards. He passed Mike Groh (4,366) last Saturday.
Career Passing Yards at Virginia
1. Matt Schaub (2000-03) 7,502
2. Shawn Moore (1987-90) 6,629
3. Scott Gardner (1972-75) 5,218
4. Aaron Brooks (1995-98) 5,118
5. Marques Hagans (2002-05) 4,877
6. Jameel Sewell (2006-07, ‘09) 4,474
Simpson Stars vs. Maryland
• Mikell Simpson has had big games against Maryland the last two years.
• In three career games against the Terps, Simpson has 200 career rushing yards (32 rushes) and 165 career receiving yards (16 receptions).
• In the Cavaliers' last visit to College Park, Simpson touched the ball on each of the last 14 plays during the final, game-winning 15-play drive in the fourth quarter.
• Simpson's 271 all-purpose yards in that game ranks sixth all-time at UVa.

Quick-Strike Offense
• Virginia has shown a knack for scoring quickly this season.
• The Cavaliers have scored in less than 2 minutes, 30 seconds in 12 of their 22 scoring drives, including five drives of less than a minute.
• UVa's longest drive (by time) this season is 4:52 at Southern Miss.
Simpson Posts Monster Day
• Mikell Simpson had a huge game against Indiana, with four rushing touchdowns.
• His four rushing TDs were most by a UVa player since Wali Lundy had four vs. Temple on Nov. 5, 2005. It tied for the second most by a UVa player since 1915 (one of eight to do so).
• His four rushing TDs are most in the ACC this year.

Jackson Gets into Offense
• Fullback Rashawn Jackson has been a big part of the offense the last three games.
• He has shown his pass-catching ability, with 10 catches for 119 yards in the last three contests.
• He did not record a reception in either of the first two games and had 22 catches in 23 career games entering this year.
• Jackson also has recorded 19 rushes for 107 yards the last three games after getting just one carry for two yards in the TCU game.
• He had a career-high 73 yards rushing on eight carries in the win over Indiana.
Hall A Man of Many Roles
• With his first-quarter TD reception vs. Indiana, senior Vic Hall now has scored touchdowns three different ways in his career - via interception, reception and rushing.
• Hall finished the game with a team-high six catches for 85 yards - both career bests.
• Hall has filled a multitude of roles this season, starting at quarterback and wide receiver, while also spending time at tailback, returning kicks and punts and holding for kicks.
• The last two weeks, he also played safety on third-down plays.
• A year ago he made a career-high 59 tackles to lead the team's cornerbacks and also picked off two passes and forced a school-record five fumbles.
Defense Steps Up In Wins
• Virginia's defense has been swarming in shutting down its opponents in its two wins.
• Opponents have reached the red zone just one time in the last two games.
• Before Indiana scored with 8:18 left in the game, UVa had held its opponents out of the end zone for the previous 119:43, dating to the Southern Miss game.
Pass Defense Locks It Down
• Virginia's pass defense has been solid, giving up just 163.2 yards per game - 15th fewest nationally.
• Opponents are averaging 8.59 yards per completion - the third fewest in the FBS. Only North Carolina (7.91) and Florida (8.00) allow fewer yards per completion.
• UVa has allowed no more than 190 yards passing in any game this year.
• Something will have to give this weekend - Maryland has passed for at least 215 yards in each of its last five games.
Rush Defense Comes Along
• While the pass defense has been strong all year, Virginia's rush defense has been especially stout the last two games.
• UVa has given up just 121 yards rushing the last two games - fewer than each of the first three games (125 vs. W&M, 203 vs. TCU, 214 vs. USM).
• Virginia has avoided big plays in the running game as well - the longest opponent run in the last two games is 12 yards.
Buckling Down on Third Down
• Virginia's defense has been tough on third-down opportunities this year.
• UVa opponents have converted on just 22 of 77 attempts on third down (28.57%).
• That is tied for eighth best nationally with Air Force and second in the ACC to Virginia Tech.
 

Virginia (2-3) at Maryland (2-4)
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By Sports Network; The Sports Network
Published: 10/14/09 7:51 am | Updated: 10/14/09 7:51 am
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Recommend (0)FACTS & STATS: Site: Byrd Stadium (48,055) -- College Park, Maryland. Television: ESPN U. Home Record: Virginia 1-2, Maryland 2-2. Away Record: Virginia 1-1, Maryland 0-2. Neutral Record: Virginia 0-0, Maryland 0-0. Conference Record: Virginia 1-0, Maryland 1-1. Series Record: Maryland leads, 41-30-2.

GAME NOTES: The suddenly surging Virginia Cavaliers are back on the road this weekend, as they are set to tangle with the Maryland Terrapins in an Atlantic Coast Conference clash at Byrd Stadium in College Park.

Virginia opened its season with three straight losses to William & Mary, TCU and Southern Miss. But the Cavaliers have rebounded in the past couple of weeks to post consecutive victories at North Carolina (16-3) and at home last weekend against Indiana (47-7). A win this weekend would even the Cavs' record at 3-3 with home games on tap in three of the next four weeks.

Meanwhile, Maryland is coming off a 42-32 loss at Wake Forest. The Terrapins have been inconsistent on both sides of the ball, and their 2-4 record is a reflection of that. However, they are celebrating Homecoming this week, and their last home game was a three-point win over Clemson two weeks ago.

Maryland holds a 41-30-2 edge in the all-time series, although UVA has won the last two meetings.

The Cavaliers' offense had been waiting for a breakout game. And last week against Indiana, they finally got it as they racked up 536 total yards and put 47 points on the board. In fact, it marked the first time in five years the Cavs eclipsed 500 total yards. The offensive outburst takes on more significance when you consider that Virginia entered the game ranked 117th in the nation in total offense. Mikell Simpson carried 15 times for 83 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns in the win, while Jameel Sewell completed 20- of-30 passes for 308 yards and a score. Converted defensive back Vic Hall finished with six catches for 85 yards, including his first career touchdown reception. Hall spent his first three seasons at corner, then switched to quarterback to start the season, before finally settling at the receiver position.

Virginia junior cornerback Ras-I Dowling had a huge day in the blowout win over Indiana. Dowling set up a pair of touchdowns for the Cavs with an interception and a forced fumble. He also led the team with nine tackles (seven solo) and notched a sack. It was tough to find many faults on the defensive side of the ball last week. The Cavaliers were pitching a shutout until the Hoosiers finally got on the board midway through the fourth quarter, which was set up by a long kick return that got the Indiana into Virginia territory. IU quarterback Ben Chappell attempted 33 passes but managed just 190 yards against a stout Cavaliers' secondary. The Hoosiers didn't convert a third down until the third quarter, as they finished with just 272 total yards. UVA currently ranks fourth in the ACC in both total defense (295.8 ypg) and scoring defense (20.6 ppg).

In terms of field position, the Maryland offense has gotten a major boost from return man Torrey Smith. Last season, Smith set the ACC single-season record for kick return yards (1,089). Against Wake Forest last week, Smith returned his first kick 85 yards to the Demon Deacons' 15, and he went on to pile up 267 all-purpose yards. He enters this contest leading the nation in all- purpose yards (236.7 ypg) and is coming off a career-high 10 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Adrian Cannon caught two touchdown passes on the day, but the Terps simply weren't able to match Wake in what turned out to be a shootout. Chris Turner completed 24-of-44 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw an interception and was sacked four times. Maryland wasn't able to get much going on the ground, averaging just 2.1 ypc as a team.

Wake Forest merely became the latest team to exploit a porous Maryland defense. The Terps rank 102nd in the nation in total defense (406.3 ypg) and 114th in scoring defense (36 ppg). They had no answer for the Demon Deacons, who kept the chains moving by converting 9-of-15 third downs and went on to amass 516 yards of total offense. Wake quarterback Riley Skinner had ample time to operate in the pocket, as he threw for 360 yards and four TDs. Alex Wujciak (11 tackles) and Anthony Wiseman (seven tackles) led Maryland's defensive stance. Wujciak is the nation's active leader in career tackles-per- game (10.3), and he currently heads the ACC in tackles so far this season. Unfortunately for the Terps, Wujciak has been somewhat of a one-man wrecking crew.

The Cavaliers hope their offensive success carries over from last week. Playing against a leaky defense such as Maryland's, they should be able to move the ball once again. But the Terps won't be a pushover playing at Byrd Stadium, and this one could come down to a few key plays on special teams -- cue return man Smith.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Maryland 27, Virginia 19
 

Struggling Terps remain in ACC hunt
By JOHN McNAMARA, Staff Writer
Published 10/14/09
COLLEGE PARK - At 2-4, the Maryland football team is off to its worst start during coach Ralph Friedgen's tenure. A look at the statistics explains why. Maryland ranks last in Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring defense (36.0), rushing defense (174.2 yards per game) and ranks 11th out of 12 teams in total defense (406.3 yards per game).

Despite all that, Friedgen remains resolute - optimistic, even - as the season passes its halfway point. A look at the standings explains why.

For all its troubles during the first six games, Maryland remains one of only two teams in the ACC's Atlantic Division with just one loss. The other is Wake Forest, which downed the Terrapins 42-32 last week in a game that wasn't that close.

Everyone else in the Atlantic Division has lost at least twice in league play, including Boston College (2-2), Clemson (1-2) and N.C. State (0-2). Florida State, which dominated the ACC for the first dozen years it was a member, is 0-3 in league play for the first time ever.

What does it all mean? Among other things, it means Maryland remains in the hunt for the division title and a possible berth in the league championship game against the Coastal Division champion. The Coastal is the much stronger of the two divisions, featuring teams such as fourth-ranked Virginia Tech (5-1, 3-0), ninth-ranked Miami (4-1, 2-1) and 19th-ranked Georgia Tech (5-1, 3-1), which is led by former Navy head coach Paul Johnson.

"As strange as things are with the way the division is ... we're right in this thing if we can just get going," Friedgen said. "I'm working as hard as I can so we can punch through."

Friedgen has seized upon the idea that the division race remains wide open, hoping to boost the confidence of his youthful, banged-up team. Maryland's defense was absolutely shredded in the first half by Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner last week - just as it was by Cal's offense in the season opener. But a victory over Virginia at home on Saturday would give the Terps a 2-1 ACC record and make everything seem brighter.

"We're 1-1 right now in the division," center Phil Costa said. "We still think we can compete with every team we are going to play against this season. It's great that we've still got that opportunity alive."

In order to stay afloat in the Atlantic, the Terps will have to halt a two-game losing streak against the Cavaliers. In each of the last two seasons, Virginia has dealt Maryland a painful mid-season loss. In 2007, the Cavaliers scored a last-second touchdown after driving the length of the field to pull out an 18-17 victory. By beating Virginia in that game, Maryland would have finished 4-4 in the league and 7-5 in the regular season. Instead, the Terps wound up 3-5 and 6-6, dropping to 6-7 overall with their Emerald Bowl loss to Oregon State.

Last year, The Cavaliers (who were just 1-3 at the time) ran for 201 yards and handed the Terps an embarrassing 31-0 loss in Charlottesville on Oct. 4. It was Maryland's lone loss in a six-game span and one of its worst performances of the year.

Another loss at the hands of Virginia on Saturday would be difficult for Maryland's players to stomach.

"This is a must-have," Costa said. "It's a big rivalry game against Virginia and homecoming, so it's going to mean everything to us."

NOTES: Maryland's game at Duke on Oct. 24 is slated for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff ... Linebacker Alex Wujciak leads the ACC in tackles with 63, an average of 10.5 per game ... Return man Torrey Smith was honored as the ACC's "Specialist of the week" after he accumulated a career-high 194 yards on six kickoff returns against Wake Forest, including an 85-yarder that set up Maryland's first touchdown.

Former 'Hoo Thriving at K-State
Oct. 14, 2009
9:12 p.m.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Just got an e-mail from Sheila Fitzgerald, who wanted to pass along a link to this story about her son, whom UVa football fans will recall fondly.

Jeffrey Fitzgerald was a two-year starter for the Cavaliers. In 2007, as a redshirt sophomore, he teamed with Chris Long to give Virginia perhaps the nation's top set of defensive ends.

Fitzgerald is now a senior at Kansas State, where he has emerged, not surprisingly, as one of Bill Snyder's best players.

Like classmate Jameel Sewell, Fitzgerald came to UVa from Hermitage High School. Fitzgerald withdrew from UVa in February 2008 and later that year transferred to K-State. The Wildcats' head coach then was Ron Prince, a former assistant under Al Groh.

Alas, Fitzgerald never got a chance to play for Prince. K-State dismissed Prince after last season, which Fitzgerald had to sit out. Prince is back at UVa as special-teams coordinator.

-- Jeff White

 

'Cats searching for leaders
Special to The News

MANHATTAN - Bill Snyder is looking for a few good men.

Halfway through a 12-week season without a break and coming off an embarrassing 66-14 loss at Texas Tech last Saturday, the Kansas State Wildcats can ill afford to wallow in self pity.

Not with an improved Texas A&M coming to town for a 6 p.m. game Saturday.

"We need leadership right now in a major way," Snyder said Tuesday during K-State's weekly media gathering. "It's not just this week (and) it's not just a matter of saying, 'Wow, look what happened, we need leadership now.'

"We do, but I said a week ago and the week prior to that and the week prior to that, we need leadership to step forward - internal leadership that will help the entire direction of this football team."

Texas Tech exposed the Wildcats' on-field deficiencies in every phase. But a fragile team psyche can do ever more damage in the long run.

"(Leadership) is more important now than ever," said sophomore safety Tysyn Hartman. "It's time we need leaders to step up and bring the team closer than it's ever been before."

Offensive tackle Nick Stringer, a team captain, said he's seen a resolve in the Wildcats (3-3, 1-1 in the Big 12) to put the loss behind them and move forward.

"There's not many guys that are hanging their heads and trying to pack it in," Stringer said. "That's a plus from what has happened in the past.

"I think guys are staying motivated and trying to stay positive coming off a loss like that."

Snyder said he is constantly on the lookout for players who can take more active leadership roles, even if it's not their nature. He thinks he has found one in senior defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald.

"He's a very quiet young guy, not tremendously vocal, but understands the need for that kind of leadership in our program," Snyder said. "He hadn't played before - hadn't played here, hadn't been on the field.

"He really needed that opportunity to allow his teammates to understand that he's becoming a good player. That's happened, and I think that helps him gain a greater respect from his teammates."

Fitzgerald, who returned an interception for K-State's first touchdown against Texas Tech and leads the team in tackles for loss with 4.5 and sacks with two, said Snyder essentially recruited him into the role.

"Me and coach Snyder talk quite frequently about me stepping up and being a leader, so I'm trying to do my best to do that," he said. "Pretty much every day before practice he comes up to me and pretty much assures me that he needs that leadership from me.

"It's kind of out of character because I'm the type of guy who tries to lead more by example than vocally."

The quarterback position, usually a source of leadership on offense, remains unsettled at the midway point. Junior captain Carson Coffman and senior transfer Grant Gregory both have held down the starting spot at one time, but they are back to competing for the job after Coffman relieved Gregory late in the third quarter of the Tech game.

Still, that doesn't disqualify them as leaders, according to Gregory.

"I feel like both Carson and I do the right thing on and off the field and have the right mental attitude going into practice every day, and that's the biggest part of leadership," he said. "After going out and getting smoked like that, this is the type of game you find out a lot about the team, and I think our leadership is going to be a big part of that."

Quotes From Virginia Basketball Media Day
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 10/14/2009

The Virginia men's and women's basketball programs held media day on Monday, Oct. 12. Below are excerpts from head men's basketball coach Tony Bennett's and head women's basketball coach Debbie Ryan's press conferences.
UVa head coach Tony Bennett
On official start of practice:
“We’re certainly looking forward to it. With the way the NCAA over the last few years has changed the rules, you get a little taste of it when you get to work for two hours a week with the team for about a month. So to be able to start building habits on a day-to-day basis will be crucial for us and I think that’s what every coach is looking forward to before we play.”
On the offensive style of the team:
“The offensive style is going to start with soundness. Trying to build some discipline and first and foremost trying to take care of the ball. That’s a constant that you have to have. We work hard at being, as we say, “ball-strong,” or sure with the ball. We’ll see how certain guys can score in certain situations and give guys freedom with hopefully good decision-making. But our style will certainly start at the defensive end. When the opportunities are there we’ll have the balance to get out and go at times, and we’ll be solid in the half court as well.”

On team building habits:
“The things we do from the system’s standpoint are different. How we want to shape the ball, using our terminology, and how we want to get the guys used to it on a daily basis. Just the things we want to emphasize. You’ve probably heard that it’s not what you teach, but what you emphasize. Until you can have enough times of “hey, you didn’t do it right” we’ll do it again and again, and we’ll do it the next day and until you get it right. We’ll have the things we call our “non-negotiables”, our areas, our constants. Certainly transition defense is one, as well as trying to be sure with the ball, trying to take good shots, trying to not give up second chance points, those kind of things.”

On teaching good defense and playing good defense:
“I think to be a good defensive team, it’s a challenge for the players and honestly it’s a challenge for the coach, too. You’ve got to constantly stay after them, you have to push them and you can’t yield on what’s important to you and what you emphasize. So it isn’t always the most appealing thing, but you always look at your program and think what is going to give us the chance to win. They have to understand it and it has to fit. I think you can talk defense, but they have to understand why they are doing this one on one drill, or this three on three drill, and why does it fit into the whole. I think they have to be rewarded when they do play the kind of defense that you want and we try to do that through positive affirmation. The commitment to it can’t be lukewarm. That’s our job as coaches and our players have to certainly acknowledge and buy into that.”

On commitment of the players:
“I think without a doubt, it’s a very hard working group. The effort is there. The way they talk, the way they train, their condition. I’ve been pleased with that, but I think every team in America has been working hard right now and we haven’t had to go through any adversity yet. That is going to be a significant test. How will we be when we go through some hard times? Will the character stay strong? Will the work ethic be there? Will the commitment to team over self win out? Those are the things that don’t happen overnight. They are part of building programs that are huge.”

On Virginia’s Sylven Landesburg, the 2009 ACC Rookie of the Year:
“Sylven is a talented player and he really wants to be good. My challenge will be this, and I’ll say this publicly and I’ve said it to him, every good player I’ve been around, real good ones, they just find a way to make their teammates better. I believe he wants to do that, so I really want to challenge him. I’ve watched over the years and players figure out ways to do it.”
________________________________________
UVa head coach Debbie Ryan
On starting the season with 699 career wins and playing the first game on the road:
"The schedule is done long before you actually know anything like that. That's my own fault. I would have won on the road anyways if I had won our last game of the season last year [in Los Angeles, Calif.] vs. Cal."
On the emotional impact of the 700th win:
"It's more about the pride that we take as a program and as a team - not as individuals. I honestly don't feel like this belongs to me. I feel like it belongs to all of us. I haven't scored a basket for the University of Virginia. Probably my biggest emotional part of it will be that I got to live this long to see it - that's true."
On the team's schedule:
"It's very exciting. I think there's nine TV games and there's two ESPN games and it's a really exciting schedule. If you look at it, it's just tough as nails. I imagine it will probably be right around a top 5-10 schedule in terms of RPI so it's a very, very difficult schedule. Even when you look at some of the teams we added late, we really did a good job of keeping the RPI nice and low. I'm just really anxious and excited to get the season started and to see where we stand."
On freshman guard China Crosby:
"She probably lends herself more to a Tora Suber who has the inside-outside game, a little bit toward Dawn Staley with her size and her ability to play bigger than she really is. She definitely plays bigger than she is. I'd say more along those lines, she can penetrate so well that it's amazing. She just finds little cracks and crevices and just gets in there and either finishes herself or kicks it out. She is amazing."
On who will emerge beyond senior guard Monica Wright:
I don't know the answer to that. I would think that Paulisha Kellum left us scoring about 10 points per game, is ready to take over in that area. In the guard position, I just really couldn't tell you because we are going to be so tested in terms of that. I do think Whitny Edwards can give us a lot more scoring. Lexie Gerson looks like a scorer to me. Telia McCall looks like a scorer to me."
On finding a dominant rebounder:
"I really feel like Simone Egwu is that kind of player, a dominating rebounding player and I think that [assistant coach] Wendy [Palmer] being here is going to help a lot because Wendy was such a dominating rebounder. Telia McCall has the ability to rebound the basketball. Erinn Thompson is going to have to find a way. Chelsea Shine was an adequate rebounder last year."
On the talent level of the program:
"I think the talent level is pretty high, and I don't want to speak too soon, but there is a good level of talent there."
 

Biddix Walk-Off Single Pushes Orange to 3-2 Win in Game 4
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 10/14/2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Tyler Biddix hit a walkoff single with two out and the bases loaded in the ninth to lift the Orange team to a 3-2 win over the Blue team Tuesday in Game 4 of the Orange and Blue World Series at Davenport Field. The game marked the first contest of the second three-game series; the Orange swept the first three-game set.
The teams play again at 6 p.m. Thursday. On Friday, UVa will host a celebration of the 2009 team as well as the ACC Championship and College World Series ring ceremony at 6 p.m. prior to Game 6 of the Orange and Blue World Series. For full information on that event, click here.
Robert Morey picked up the win for the Orange with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. The Orange also got strong pitching from starter Shane Halley (5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 H) and Neal Davis (2.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H). Corey Hunt took the loss for the Blue and pitched the final 1.2 innings. Whit Mayberry started for the Blue and pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs and four hits while striking out three.
Pitching and defense dominated for most of the day as each team recorded seven hits while there were several strong defensive plays. Jarrett Parker of the Orange team was the only player with more than one hit. He went 2-for-4 with a triple. Chris Taylor homered and drove in two for the Orange.
The Orange struck quickly in the bottom of the first, as Parker launched a triple to center field and scored when Taylor grounded out to second base.
The Blue tied the game in the fourth inning on a groundout by John Barr which plated Danny Hultzen, but the Orange responded with a run in its half of the fourth when Taylor ripped a solo home run into the left-field bleachers.
The Blue knotted the score in the sixth inning, but missed out on a big inning after loading the bases with none out. Reed Gragnani grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to score Tyler Cannon, but the Blue could not do any more damage.
In the bottom of the ninth, Dan Grovatt doubled to lead off. John Hicks was intentionally walked and John Hicks moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt. Hunt intentionally walked Stephen Bruno to load the bases and then got Jared King to ground to third base, with Grovatt getting thrown out at the plate for the second out. Biddix then lined a single up the middle to plate Swab with the winning run.
Orange & Blue World Series (all games are at 6 p.m.)

Game 1: Orange 7, Blue 4

Game 2: Orange 9, Blue 2

Game 3: Orange 6, Blue 5 (Orange wins first series, 3-0)
Game 4: Orange 3, Blue 2
Game 5: Thursday, October 15

Game 6: Friday, October 16 

(Ring Ceremony/Celebration of 2009 Team/Youth Baseball Day)

Game 7: Tuesday, October 20


 

Virginia Rowing Competes at Head of the Charles This Weekend
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 10/14/2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE – To open its fall competition, Virginia rowing will travel to the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston, Mass., this weekend. Called the ‘Largest Regatta in the World,’ the Head of the Charles features more than 8,000 competitors from more than 15 countries.

Virginia will compete in the Championship Eight against national teams from the United States and Canada, as well as four other finalists from last year’s Varsity Eight race at the NCAA Championships – Stanford, Yale, Brown and Princeton.

Head coach Kevin Sauer, now in his 15th season as head coach of Virginia rowing, has announced his eight line-up that will compete at the Head of the Charles: coxswain Sidney Thorsten, Jennifer Cromwell, Helen Tompkins, Desiree Burns, Katrin Reinert, Lauren Hutchins, Lauren Shook, Nora Phillips and Summers Nelson.

Virginia will also have teams competing in the Championship Four, Club Eight and Club Four races.

Club events will take place on Saturday and Championship events on Sunday.
 

Cavaliers Take Undefeated Records Into Panorama Farms Invitational
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 10/14/2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Virginia men’s and women’s cross country teams will host the Panorama Farms Invitational on Friday at Panorama Farms in Earlysville, Va. The women will toe the line at 4 p.m., followed by the men at 4:45 p.m.

Virginia’s women’s team brings a national ranking of No. 10 into the weekend and is the top team in the Southeast Region. Senior Lauretta Dezubay and junior Catherine White each won individual titles this season to lead the women to back-to-back victories at the Lou Onesty and George Mason Invitationals.

The Cavalier men are ranked No. 15 nationally and are the second-ranked team in the Southeast Region. Virginia is coming off consecutive victories to open the season and is led by junior All-American Emil Heineking, who won individual titles at the Lou Onesty and George Mason Invitationals.

Three top-15 teams will compete for the title on the women’s side, featuring No. 2 Villanova, No. 10 Virginia and No. 14 Duke. American, Maryland, Richmond, Tennessee and Texas A&M will also field teams.

The men’s race will feature four nationally ranked top-30 teams, including No. 11 Syracuse, No. 15 Virginia, No. 24 Villanova and No. 26 Duke. Rounding out the field of competitors will be American, Belmont, Maryland, Richmond, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

The first 100 children to arrive at Panorama Farms will receive a free cross country t-shirt. In addition, a clinic for children ages 12-and-under will be held following the women's race at approximately 5:15 p.m.