Virginia Plays Host to No. 11 Georgia Tech at Noon Saturday
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 10/21/2009

Game 7 • Oct. 24 • Noon
David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium
Game Details
Playing Surface: Grass
Series vs. GT: UVa leads, 16-14-1
at Charlottesville: UVa leads, 9-2-1
Television: Raycom (affiliates)
P-b-P: Steve Martin
Analyst: Rick ‘Doc' Walker
Sidelines: Mike Hogewood
Radio: Virginia Sports Network (affiliates)
P-b-P: Dave Koehn
Analyst: Frank Quayle
Sidelines: Chris Slade
Satellite Radio: XM Radio 190, Sirius 211

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 Georgia Tech
Game Notes: Virginia Georgia Tech
Statistics: Virginia Georgia Tech
Five Things You Need to Know
• Virginia has won eight straight in Scott Stadium against Georgia Tech and five of the last six meetings overall.
• UVa opponents have converted on 29.3 percent of third-down tries (best in the ACC, 10th-best in the FBS). GT's offense ranks fourth in the FBS on third down (52.6%).
• The Cavaliers have allowed 82.3 rushing yards per game the last three games.
• UVa is one of two teams nationally (San Jose State) to convert on 100 percent of its red-zone opportunities.
• UVa has played 12 true freshmen in the first five games (tied with UNC, FSU for most in ACC).
Virginia-Georgia Tech Series
• Virginia holds a 16-14-1 edge in the 44-year-old series and has won five of the last six games to take the series lead.
• Overall the home team has won 12 of the last 14 meetings.
• The home team won nine straight from 1995 until UVa's 30-10 victory in Atlanta in 2004.
• The Cavaliers have a 9-2-1 edge at home and have won the last eight on their home turf.
Last Five Meetings
2008 Virginia 24, @ Georgia Tech 17
2007 @ Virginia 28, Georgia Tech 23
2006 @ Georgia Tech 24, Virginia 7
2005 @ Virginia 27, Georgia Tech 17
2004 Virginia 30, @ Georgia Tech 10
More On The UVa-GT Series
• Georgia Tech's last win in Charlottesville came on Nov. 3, 1990, when the No. 16 Yellow Jackets knocked off the top-ranked Cavaliers, 41-38, on a last-second field goal.
• All six meetings between 1996-2002 were decided by a touchdown or less.
• Since 1996 Virginia's seven victories have come by an average of 8.2 points, while Georgia Tech's five wins have come by an average of 13.8 points.
• The Yellow Jackets' average is skewed by a 35-0 win in 2000, the only blowout in the last decade.
Tight Games The Norm In Series
• Since the Yellow Jackets began playing an ACC schedule in 1983, the teams have met 26 times and 14 of the games have been decided by eight points or fewer.
• Since 1983, the series has featured one tie and other games decided by one point (two games), three points (3), four (2), five (1), six (1), seven (3) and eight points (1).
Turnovers Make a Difference
• Since 1982, the Cavaliers are 9-1 vs. Georgia Tech when committing fewer turnovers. The lone loss occurred in 1991.
• Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is 6-4-1 when it commits fewer turnovers.
• There have been six games since 1982 (‘82, ‘87, ‘98, ‘02, ‘05, ‘08) where the teams had equal turnovers; UVa won in 1987, 2005 and 2008.
• In the last six meetings, Virginia has recorded 15 takeaways and turned them into 57 points.
• Since Al Groh took over as Virginia's head coach in 2001, the Cavaliers have committed 13 turnovers in the eight games against Georgia Tech.
• Conversely, the Yellow Jackets have turned the ball over at least once in every game since 2001 (15 total).
Virginia vs. Ranked Teams
• Virginia is 0-1 vs. ranked teams this year with a 30-14 loss to then-No. 16 TCU (current No. 10) on Sept 12.
• Virginia is 12-18 against ranked teams under head coach Al Groh (since 2001).
• The Cavaliers are 9-8 at home vs. ranked teams under Groh.
• UVa has not beaten a team ranked as high as No. 11 since winning 45-38 over then-No. 7 Georgia Tech on Nov. 6, 1999.
Virginia vs. Ranked Georgia Tech Teams
• UVa has won four of its last five games against ranked Georgia Tech teams, including a 24-17 win over No. 21 Georgia Tech last year in Atlanta.
• The Cavaliers were not ranked in any of those contests.
• Virginia is 5-5-1 all-time against ranked Georgia Tech teams, including an 4-1-1 record in Charlottesville.
• At No. 11 in the AP poll this week, this Georgia Tech team is the second-highest-ranked Yellow Jacket team to play in Scott Stadium since 1999 (UVa 45, No. 7 GT 38).
Last Five Meetings vs. Ranked Georgia Tech Teams:
2008 Virginia 24, @ No. 21 Georgia Tech 17
2005 @ Virginia 27, No. 24 Georgia Tech 17
2001 @ Virginia 39, No. 20 Georgia Tech 38
2000 @ No. 24 Georgia Tech 35, Virginia 0
1999 @ Virginia 45, No. 7 Georgia Tech 38
Georgia Natives on UVa Roster
• Virginia has two natives of the state of Georgia on its 2009 roster.
• WR Javaris Brown is from Macon (Northeast HS) and DE Tory Allen-Ford is from Fayetteville (Lovejoy)
Cavaliers Reverse Turnover Woes
• After being minus-6 in turnover margin the first two games, UVa is plus-9 the last four games, including plus-8 in the three victories.
• Virginia has turned the ball over one time in its last three games and once in its last 49 possessions, dating to an interception in the second quarter of the Southern Miss 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 37-7 in the first quarter.
• The Cavaliers have not given up a first-half TD since the Southern Miss game.
Octoberfest!
• Virginia has won seven straight games in October, dating to 2008, and 12 of its past 13 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).
• 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.
• That total is tied for sixth among FBS programs and first in the ACC (with FSU, UNC).
• Tulane (17) has played the most true freshmen among FBS programs.
• Since Groh started as UVa's head coach in 2001, 65 true freshmen have seen playing time for the Cavaliers.
Jackson Steps into Spotlight
• Fullback Rashawn Jackson has been a big part of the offense the last four games.
• Last week, he had 19 rushes for 90 yards (both career highs) and recorded his first career rushing touchdown.
• He had just one carry for two yards in the TCU game and did not record a reception in either of the first two games.

Perfect in the Red Zone
• Virginia is one of two teams nationally to convert on all of its red-zone opportunities this year (San Jose State).
• UVa is 17 of 17 (10 TD, 7 FG) this year when entering the red zone. All 10 touchdowns have come via the run.
Sewell Precise with Passes
• Jameel Sewell has not been intercepted in his last 109 pass attempts, dating to the Southern Miss game.
• Virginia has won all three games in that stretch.
• The school record for consecutive passes without an interception is 231, set by Matt Blundin from 1990-91.
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.
• After a 137-yard day at Maryland, Sewell now has 4,611 career passing yards. He passed Mike Groh (4,366) vs. Indiana.
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) 4,611
UVa Holds Opponents to Single Digits
• Virginia has held three straight opponents to fewer than 10 points.
• It marks the first time since 1994 that Virginia has limited its opponents to 10 or fewer points in three straight games.
• In 1994, UVa held four straight teams to fewer than 10 points.
Shutdown Defense
• Virginia's defense has been swarming in shutting down its opponents in the three wins.
• The Cavaliers rank 21st nationally in total defense (293.8 yards/game).
• Virginia ranks third in the ACC in total defense and scoring defense (18.7 points/game) this year.
• UVa gave up at least 309 yards of total offense in each of the first three games; no opponent has topped 300 since.
• Opponents have reached the red zone just four times in the last three 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.
Opponent Yards/Game Comparison
Avg. First 3 Last 3
Rushing 180.7 82.3
Passing 163.7 161.0
Total 344.3 243.3
Scoring Off the Defense
• Virginia got its first non-offensive TD of the year on Saturday on Nate Collins' 32-yard interception return.
• UVa had not scored a non-offensive TD since Vic Hall returned an interception 60 yards vs. Richmond on Sept. 6, 2008.
• Collins' INT was the first by a UVa lineman since Nick Jenkins recorded one against North Carolina in 2008.
Pass Defense Locks It Down
• Virginia's pass defense has been solid, giving up just 162.3 yards per game - 11th fewest nationally.
• Opponents are averaging 8.77 yards per completion - second fewest in the FBS. Only North Carolina (7.91) allows fewer yards per completion.
• In pass efficiency defense, Virginia is seventh in the FBS (93.86 rating).
• UVa has allowed no more than 190 yards passing in any game this year.
• UVa held Maryland to a season-low 158 yards passing last week.
Rush Defense Improves
• While the pass defense has been strong all year, Virginia's rush defense has been especially stout the last three games.
• UVa has given up just 82.3 yards rushing per game the last three contests.
• Virginia has avoided big plays in the running game as well - the longest opponent run in the last three 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 27 of 92 attempts on third down (29.3%).
• That is 10th best nationally and first among ACC schools (BC, 29.6%).
• Georgia Tech ranks fourth nationally on offense in third-down conversions (52.6%).
Randolph Takes Charge of Kicking
• Robert Randolph has hit his first nine field-goal attempts this year, including a 7-for-7 mark the last three weeks.
• Virginia already has matched its field-goal total from 2008 - UVa ranked at the bottom of the ACC in field goals (9), attempts (15) and percentage last year (.600).
• Reynolds' three field-goal day at UNC was a career best and he booted his two longest field goals, from 38 and 43 yards.
• He is now 12-for-13 career in field-goal attempts. He also has hit all six of his PAT attempts this year and is 12-for-12 in his career.
• Randolph spent the offseason working on his leg strength (much through underwater running) and also competed at an elite kicking camp.

OPPORTUNITY AWAITS HILL
Oct. 21, 2009
1:28 p.m.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- True freshman Will Hill, who has yet to make a tackle for UVa, is listed as the probable starter at right defensive end for Saturday's game against 11th-ranked Georgia Tech at Scott Stadium.

In the second quarter of its recent win over Maryland, Virginia lost Matt Conrath to an ankle injury that may sideline the 6-7, 275-pound sophmore for several games.

Another sophomore, Zane Parr, capably replaced Conrath in College Park. In the depth chart distributed Tuesday, however, Parr is listed as the backup to senior Nate Collins at left end. Parr, unlike Conrath, plays in the Cavaliers' dime package, which is used in passing situations.

The 6-4, 250-pound Hill graduated in December from Williamsburg's Lafayette High. He enrolled at UVa in January and went through spring practice with the football team.

Hill, who's on the field goal-block team, has appeared in every game for the Wahoos (2-0 ACC, 3-3 overall) this season. He's played defensive end in two games: versus William and Mary on Sept. 5 and against Indiana on Oct. 10.

Asked Wednesday on the ACC coaches' teleconference how he'll try to accelerate Hill's learning process, Al Groh said, "I don't know that there is any particular way. We just keep him in the practice rotation. Clearly he'll get more plays than what he got in the past, but he's just in the same circumstance here in week 7 that a good deal of his predecessors have been in year 1. Whether it was [Darryl] Blackstock, [Wali] Lundy, [D'Brickashaw] Ferguson, a lot of those guys who started in the very first game of their freshman year.

"Obviously we thought those guys were ready for that and capable of it. If we'd thought Will Hill was ready to start the first game as those guys, clearly we would have done it. But we're confident in Will and any of these guys we put out there."

Another true freshman, Brent Urban, is listed as Hill's backup at right end. Urban hasn't played yet this season, but Groh said he would not hesitate to use the 6-7, 280-pound Canadian if he felt the team would benefit.

"What would be the reason?" Groh said. "Everybody gets all hung up on this redshirt thing. For one, this is the season that we're playing. And two, just because a player doesn't redshirt this year doesn't mean it's impossible to do so in the future.

"In fact, we've had players here who have done that, who played initially as a first-year player, sat out the second year because somebody else could do just as much and caught up with a year's worth of growth that way. So we're not looking much further beyond next Saturday. That's pretty important."

Andrew Hoffman, who played as a true freshman in 2000, redshirted in '01, Groh's first season as UVa's coach. Hoffman later became a standout nose tackle for the 'Hoos. Tailback Michael Johnson also redshirted after playing as a true freshman.

The overwhelming majority of players who have taken mid-career redshirts during Groh's tenure, however, have done so because of injuries.

-- Jeff White


 

Virginia’s report card at the halfway point
By Michael Phillips
Published: October 22, 2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE Virginia has a 3-3 record, which generally denotes an average team.

It just doesn't seem that way to most fans.

The Cavs started 0-3, including a loss to FCS member William and Mary, before turning things around with a 3-0 rally. Now with six games remaining, coach Al Groh is going to have to find a way to make up for the loss to the Tribe if he wants to return for a 10th season at U.Va.

It's not impossible, but it will be challenging. The schedule for the second half of the season is significantly harder than the one the Hoos rode to their .500 record.

But especially this season in the ACC, anything is possible, and while Groh knows there is work ahead, he's pleased with the progress that's been made.

"I wouldn't put it up against the scales yet and say we're there," he said. "But this is what teams are supposed to do. Teams are supposed to get better. Players are supposed to get better."

Groh has weathered slow starts before, but the last time he suffered a bad opening-season loss, it was in Wyoming. This year, it happened in front of the biggest crowd of the season, against a state opponent.

And while all the woes can't be traced to that one game, it will certainly be cited as the main reason if this is the final year of his tenure at Virginia.

The coach, of course, maintains he's looking squarely forward. With an offense that is finding its groove and a defense that has been dominating, the Cavs are beginning to turn heads. Here's a look at where they stand at the halfway point.

Halfway through the season, Virginia is 3-3, but maintains a perfect 2-0 mark in ACC play. Here's how the report card stacks up at the midway point:

OFFENSE: Hermitage grad Jameel Sewell said that he had no confidence in himself while he was auditioning with two other quarterbacks for the starting spot. Now that he's the choice, he's grown into the role and is playing with poise and ability.

Sewell is also benefiting from having Vic Hall at wide receiver. Along with Matoaca grad Kris Burd, the two are providing a playmaking threat for the offense that can stretch the field. Running backs Mikell Simpson and Rashawn Jackson also started maturing when Groh made the decision two weeks into the season to dump the spread offense that Gregg Brandon was brought in to install.

The weak spot offensively remains the offensive line, which is allowing too much pressure on Sewell every week. They couldn't hold up their assignments in the spread, hastening its demise. It will be crucial for Sewell to learn to make quicker decisions, or there will be even more costly sacks in the second half of games. Grade: C

DEFENSE: Despite a lack of big names, Virginia has created a defense just as stout as any of the unit's past incarnations. The front seven of the 3-4 has benefited from the rise of sophomore linebacker Cam Johnson, who now anchors the outside. Up front it's a unit that has been solid at stopping the run, but often allows quarterbacks time.

That hasn't been a problem, because the cornerback combo of Ras-I Dowling and Chris Cook might represent the two best players on the unit. Bringing Vic Hall in to help on third downs also has boosted the unit's ability to shut down the long pass.

To continue to succeed against ACC competition, the group will have to develop stamina, and work on being as effective in the fourth quarter as they've been in the first. Grade: B+

SPECIAL TEAMS: Put bluntly, this is the weakest unit on the team. After saying there would be a renewed emphasis on putting the best players on the unit, and a focus on scoring points through kick runbacks, that has yet to happen.

The kickoff situation remains in flux, with Robert Randolph and Chris Hinkebein both struggling to pin opponents deep. Punter Jimmy Howell has been better, but still hasn't met expectations. Kick and punt runbacks have both been well below the national average, with no signs of that turning around anytime soon.

The unit's lone bright spot is Randolph's field-goal kicking. Thanks to a timely penalty, he hasn't missed one yet. Grade: D-

COACHING: The offseason included two new coordinator hires. Neither has been as successful as hoped. On offense, Brandon was supposed to introduce the spread and modernize the U.Va. offense. That was scrapped after two games. Similarly, Ron Prince's special teams have failed to produce the game-changing results he was expected to bring. Meanwhile, the defense, under Groh's supervision, continues to thrive.

Groh's time at Virginia will almost certainly come to an end if he fails to reach six victories this year. The results down the stretch will show whether this is the final act, or whether he lives to see another day. Ultimately, it may come down to an embarrassing loss in the season's opener. Grade: D+
 

The Will Hill/Zane Parr split
Michael Phillips
Oct 21, 2009

Last week the main personnel issue for U.Va. football was whether running back Mikell Simpson would start (he didn’t). This week it seems to involve how the snaps will be split at defensive end.

This week’s depth chart shows true freshman Will Hill as the starting defensive end. Last week the job went to Zane Parr in the second half after Matt Conrath was injured. The only certainly here is that Conrath won’t get the snaps, he’s out with an ankle injury, though that won’t be made official until tomorrow’s injury report.

So between Parr and Hill, it’s likely that both will see time, but it’s unusual for a true freshman to rise into the ranks so quickly - especially since a sophomore who has seen time all season is available for the job. But with Parr more of a pass specialist, it’s possible that the coaches could be saving him for third-down situations, and don’t want to tire him by making him an every-down player.

Coach Al Groh said in today’s ACC teleconference that lots of true freshmen had started for him, and that he had complete confidence in Hill to get the job done Saturday. He also seemed to indicate a distaste for the conversation about using true freshmen instead of redshirting them.

“Everybody gets all hung up on this redshirt thing,“ he said. “One, this is the season that we’re playing. And two, just because a player doesn’t redshirt this year, doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do so in the future.“

OT Will Barker shares his thoughts on Georgia Tech
Michael Phillips
Oct 21, 2009

Virginia senior offensive tackle Will Barker chatted briefly with reporters this afternoon. Among other things, he said that Jameel Sewell had returned to practice - which Sewell maintained he would last Saturday when asked about his ankle injury.

For the offensive line, he says the key will be to help his team get off to a quick start. Georgia Tech’s offense tends to confuse defenses early, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, the defense knows they might get off to a slow start. That puts more pressure on the offense.

“They start off with a very good first quarter,“ Barker said. “We’ve got to match that and try to get out to a quick start.“

He also said that the team’s other starting tackle, Landon Bradley, has developed since getting his first start earlier this year.

“I think Landon has come in and gained a lot of experience, and I can’t really speak for him, but I know what it felt like when I went in there for the first time,“ Barker said. “I think he’s making huge strides in how he plays, and I think he’s gotten better with every game so far.

Statement game
By Norm Wood
247-4642
October 22, 2009

In the last four years, Will Barker has participated in his fair share of big games for Virginia, but none may be bigger in terms of regaining at least some level of large-scale respect for the football program than Saturday's game against No. 11 Georgia Tech.

After losing three straight games to start the season, and bouncing back to win its next three games, U.Va. (3-3 overall, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) has a perfect statement opportunity ahead of it. Thus far, U.Va. could almost be considered the accidental first-place team in the Coastal Division — a team that has played fewer conference games than nine other teams in the ACC so far and has beaten up on North Carolina and Maryland, which have both looked pitiful at times this season.

Now, a victory against Coastal Division second-place team Georgia Tech (6-1, 4-1) and its option-happy approach would be another story altogether. Not only would it represent U.Va.'s second successful venture against an opponent ranked 11th or better in its last 13 tries, it also would symbolize a huge momentum boost for the Cavaliers' bowl hopes and — believe it or not — division title chances.

"We're definitely looking at this game as a huge game in terms of where we are as a team and where we can go in the future," Barker said. "I think Coach has got a pretty good (read) on this (Georgia Tech) team. We did pretty well against them last year (winning 24-17 in Atlanta), so I think we're definitely going into this game with the mentality that it's a game we need to win. As of right now, all we've thought about is trying to get that win, and whatever happens after that happens."

U.Va. proved last year it had the defensive chops to put the brakes on Georgia Tech's triple option. Last season, U.Va. held Georgia Tech to just 156 rushing yards — 117 yards under their season average, which was fourth in the nation. Only Football Championship Subdivision program Gardner-Webb held Georgia Tech to fewer rushing yards (79) last season, and both Yellow Jackets quarterback Josh Nesbitt and his top backup were out.

It's no mystery Nesbitt is the engine that makes Georgia Tech's option attack go and go and go. He's second in the nation among quarterbacks with an average of 89 rushing yards per game. Running back Jonathan Dwyer, the defending ACC offensive player of the year, is averaging 85 yards per game for a rushing game that's even more dangerous this season — averaging 282 yards per game (second in the nation). Georgia Tech ran for 309 yards last weekend in a 28-23 win against then-No. 4 Virginia Tech.

As difficult as it may be to slow down Georgia Tech's offense, it's far from the uncrackable code some pundits make it out to be, according to U.Va. defensive end Nate Collins. If U.Va. hopes to make the desired statement this weekend, it will depend on defensive players resisting the urge to pursue and, thus, getting out of position from their individual responsibilities against the option.

"This week is going to be maybe a different set of jobs than what you're probably used to for each position," Collins said. "If you think about it, the initial part for each person — just doing your job — is actually easier than any other week, because you have one specific thing to do."

Though the stakes aren't the same, this weekend's game could be considered the most important regular-season game for U.Va. since the 2007 finale against Virginia Tech, which was for the Coastal Division championship and trip to the ACC title game. Virginia Tech won that game, 33-21. While the importance of the Georgia Tech game can't be understated, and the temptation might be to look down the road, U.Va.'s players aren't looking ahead to what a win could mean could for the future.

"When a businessman decides to start a business, he doesn't automatically get an accountant and start estimating he'll make upper-end millions or upper-end billions of dollars," U.Va. running back Rashawn Jackson said. "You have to start somewhere. You have to have good credit. You have to start with the little things and pay attention to the small details. When you start looking to the future, your goals start to get out of focus and you look past what's in the present. That's what really gets you in trouble. We can't afford to do that."
 

Johnson’s start proves it can be done at Georgia Tech
4:55 pm October 21, 2009, by Jeff Schultz

Georgia Tech has been playing football since 1892, and in that time only one football coach in 117 years has had a better start to his career than Paul Johnson.

Not Bobby Dodd, who has a stadium named after him. Not John Heisman, who has a trophy named after him. Not Bill Lewis, who … well, not Bill Lewis.

Johnson has coached 20 games at Georgia Tech. He is 15-5. The lone coach to open more impressively: William Alexander (18-2) in the 1920s. The world was different then. College football was different. Academics were different. There weren’t recruiting pressures or scholarship limits or a possibly defensive athletic director telling the world that you just can’t win consistently at places like Georgia Tech.

So do seasons of 9-4 and 6-1 count?

“If you have the right people and the right support mechanisms in place,” athletic director Dan Radakovich said, “you can be successful here.”

His comments this week echoed those of two years ago. It was the first time I had a chance to sit down with Radakovich for any length of time since he replaced Dave Braine, who made the very public mistake of saying the Yellow Jackets “will never” win consistently because of the school’s high academic standards. Braine’s intent was to take some pressure off of his coach, Chan Gailey. Instead, he cut him off at the knees in recruiting and alienated fans.

Radakovich came in with a different philosophy. He met briefly with his coaches before his introductory press conference in 2006. He told them, “Guys, I don’t have a whole lot of time here. There are only two things that are important to me: Win and don’t cheat.” His belief: It could be done at Tech.

We can’t foretell the future. This is only a 20-game sampling. But think about this: Johnson came in with a relatively foreign offense and he is winning largely with Chan Gailey’s recruits. The thought of slipping significantly any time soon doesn’t seem likely. He is universally embraced by his players, students and alums. It’s a comfort level Gailey never experienced.

Hard to imagine, but Johnson’s biggest challenge now might be keeping the masses grounded. The Jackets are coming off an upset of fourth-ranked Virginia Tech. Fans stormed the field. They tore down the goal post, paraded it down the street and hacksawed it into pieces for souveniers. You would’ve thought a Ph.D. on campus had just learned how to manufacture jet fuel from leftover mu shu and banana peels.

Fortunately, keeping everybody grounded isn’t difficult for Johnson. His look back on win over Virginia Tech was typical of all others: moments of praise punctuated by three-punch verbal combinations of what everybody did wrong.

“We’ve played pretty good at times,” he said when asked if he ever has been fully satisfied after a game. “I remember winning the national championship [at Georgia Southern], 59-24, and gaining like 640 yards and they had about 240. We played pretty good. But you’re always striving for the perfect game. When you become satisfied and lower the standards, I don’t know if you’re doing the kids a service. You’re doing them a disservice. You have to keep raising the bar and pushing that this is what you’re looking for. If we had won every game this season, that would be different. But we haven’t.”

He considered for a moment that, “I probably need to do a better job of accentuating the positive sometimes.”

But seconds later, it was as if the Paul Johnson mini-me sitting on his shoulder slapped him on the head.

“I don’t care if they think I’m never gonna be satisfied,” he said.

There is no wrong answer. His methods work as well as his offense. Twenty games in at Georgia Tech, he is nearly without peer. There goes one perception.
 

Earls learned lesson in Virginia two years agoBy Doug Roberson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two years ago, Earls briefly lost the feeling in his arms and legs when he was trying to block on a quarterback scramble and was hit by Virginia's Jeffrey Fitzgerald. Earls was carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion and slight spinal injury.

Story continues below ↓

Earls returned a few weeks later against Miami and then had his breakout game against Duke, making five catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. But the experience of that day at Scott Stadium has remained with him.

"Just showed me that me that you can't take the game for granted," Earls said. "Play every game like it's your last because you don't know when that will be. I was real close to mine."

Earls has been mostly a special teams player since coach Paul Johnson was hired at Tech and was moved to defensive back earlier this season. He forced a fumble against FSU two games ago and made another tackle on the return team.

"You never know when your time is coming so you have to take advantage of every precious moment life offers," Earls said.

It's been that long?

Outside linebacker Sedric Griffin said he was 2 years old the last time Georgia Tech beat Virginia in Charlottesville. Most of the players on Tech's team were born before Nov. 3, 1990, when the Jackets upset then No. 1 UVA, the last time the Jackets won at Scott Stadium. But Griffin said he wants to create some new memories for Jackets-to-be.

"We're ready to get the monkey off our back," Griffin, a senior, said.

Another streak to note, Virginia is 10-1 in October the past three seasons.

Hamilton happy

Joe Hamilton laughed and said, "It tells you what kind of a record it was," when asked for his reaction the possibility thatJosh Nesbitt could break his school record for career rushing yards by a quarterback Saturday. Nesbitt is 102 yards shy of the mark.

Hamilton rushed for 1,758 yards from 1996-99. Nesbitt has 1,657 yards, with 1,564 of them coming in the past 18 games.

"I'm proud of him and proud of what he's doing," Hamilton said.

No happy returns

Scott Blair said it's been a long time since he practiced tackling, other than working on form. But he had a key stop and slowed down Dyrell Roberts on another return in Saturday's win against Virginia Tech.

"I did not want another touchdown scored," Blair said, referring to the touchdown return by Mississippi State three weeks ago.

Blair said he feels like he's been hitting the ball well the past three games on kickoffs. He said he needs to improve on his location off the tee but overall, he said things are going well.

Do the Jackets turn the Corner this Weekend?
2:34 am October 22, 2009, by Chris Boggs

I remember exactly where I was in 1990 when Scott Sisson kicked the game winning field goal to beat the #1 Hoos in Charlottesville.

I was at my friend Brian’s house watching on TV and when that kick sailed through the uprights we went nuts, hopped on my motorcycle, and rode through downtown Barnesville GA screaming and honking the horn. After junior college, Brian went on to UGA and I went to GT…but that Scott Sisson kick was something I’ll bet we both remember fondly to this day. It was a helluva football game and high drama to a couple of college guys who loved college football.

Unfortunately, since 1990, Charlottesville has been something of a House of Horrors for the Jackets.

1992…55-22 loss…

1995…24-7 loss…

1997…35-31 loss…

1999…45-38 loss. Despite having Joe Hamilton under center and a #7 ranking coming into the game.

2001…39-38 loss. Hook and Ladder…’nuff said…

2003…29-17 loss. Matt Schaub and Heath Miller dominated us.

2005…27-17 loss. A three game win streak and Top 25 ranking squandered.

2007…28-23 loss. Peerman and a muffed punt seal our doom.

The ‘92, ‘95, and ‘97 games were during the dark period of the mid – ’90s and were understandable to a degree. But the losses since ‘99 have come during a period where GT has had arguably better teams than UVA. Its almost as if Bobby Ross signed some sort of bad mojo, black magic contract back in 1990 that we’re still paying off with heartbreaking and season impacting losses at the hands of the Hoos.

So…now…here we are…in 2009…with a 6-1 record and a #11 ranking…heading to Charlottesville yet again, to face the Hoo Curse.

Up to this point, Paul Johnson has been a drought breaker…beating FSU, beating UGA, winning on the road at FSU, defeating VT this past weekend.

Does this team have the FOCUS and INTENSITY to break the Charlottesville curse and capitalize on the good momentum, high ranking, and national recognition that is beginning to shine our way on the Flats?

The real question is this…can the Yellow Jackets finally “turn the corner”?

We stand at the intersection of success or failure, recognition or resignation, pride or shame, and ultimately the step required to return Georgia Tech football to its long lost and rightfully earned seat amongst the college football elite or the slip that will relegate the Jackets once again to the status of just another also-ran.

Make no mistake fellow Yellow Jackets…this is a big game coming up this weekend…

Go Jackets!

Beat the Hoos and Break the Curse!
 

Former Northeast star to return for VirginiaBy Coley Harvey Sign up for daily e-mail news alerts

ATLANTA — A speedy receiver in high school, Javaris Brown only knew one way to play: See the ball and catch the ball.

He hadn’t fully mastered the concept of settling into coverages and finding the weak spots in a defense. But as a redshirt freshman in college, he is well on his way to figuring them out.

Story: Jackets haven’t forgotten about last year’s loss to Cavaliers
On Wednesday’s weekly ACC coaches teleconference, Brown’s current head coach, Virginia’s Al Groh, talked about the progress he is seeing from the former Northeast standout.

“He’s very tuned in now to this level of competition, and there’s a lot of players on the other side of the line of scrimmage with a similar level of ability,” Groh said. “So getting open is as much about precision of routes and reading the openings of coverages and properly sitting into the windows of the zone than it is about drawing the double-team.

“That’s pretty specific to Javaris, but it’s also pretty general to most young receivers we have.”

Hit with injuries and forced to alter offensive philosophies during the season, the Cavaliers have placed a number of freshmen and redshirt freshmen at the position.

Already starting two of Virginia’s games, Brown has seen considerable action, hauling in six catches for 131 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown.

But that action was halted three weeks ago, when he went down with an ankle injury. Forcing him from action and thrusting other receivers into much larger roles, the injury comes at a bad time for Brown.

In the two games since, the Cavaliers have gone on to roll to two of their biggest wins; a 47-7 blowout at Indiana and a 20-9 win over Maryland last week. Also in that time, top receivers Kris Burd and Vic Hall have come on strong.

Brown is still slated to return to the field when the Cavaliers take on No. 11 Georgia Tech on Saturday.

“We certainly will be happy to get (Brown) back,” Groh said, “but so many guys have upgraded their games since that time. It’ll be a very nice addition and one that we’re looking forward to, but we’re pretty well equipped to go on as we are as long as that has to be the case.”

DUBLIN’S SMITH DONE FOR YEAR

Also on Wednesday’s coaches teleconference, N.C. State head coach Tom O’Brien said former Dublin standout Rashard Smith’s season has come to an end.

A true freshman, the defensive back — who also starred as a quarterback in three Dublin state playoff runs — was injured last week when he jammed his knee into the ground on an awkward pass breakup against Boston College.

O’Brien said trainers had no idea a serious injury had occurred because Smith continued to play the rest of the game after suffering the second-quarter injury. But continuing to play in Saturday’s 52-20 loss to the Eagles, Smith “jeopardized his whole knee,” O’Brien said.

Smith had just returned from an ankle injury and was hoping to be a key addition to an already injury-depleted Wolfpack secondary.

The rehab process will last 12 weeks, O’Brien said, meaning that Smith will not return until the spring.

“Certainly it’s a setback for us,” O’Brien said. “After starting six different secondary players in seven games, we certainly thought we’d be locked in here, but that’s part of the thing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday that we have to work through now is to find out what we’re going to do and where we’re going to go with the secondary.”

The Wolfpack have a bye this week.

EARLS RETURNS TO SITE OF INJURY

While an injury has forced an end to Smith’s season, one fellow Middle Georgian this weekend is out seeking some redemption from his own injury suffered two years ago. Correy Earls, a former Central standout, returns to Charlottesville, Va., for the first time since suffering a concussion in a violent collision during his previous visit.

In a Yellow Jackets’ 28-23 loss to the Cavaliers, the then-receiver was forced from the game when he suffered an injury that left him lying on the turf for 15 minutes and without feeling in his legs.

He was later transported to an area hospital and was forced to wear a brace for the next two weeks following his release. Two games after the Sept. 22 injury, he returned to action.

“It just showed me that you can’t take a play for granted,” Earls said. “Play every play like it’s your last. Because I came real close to mine.”


 

Jackets haven’t forgotten about last year’s loss to CavaliersBy Coley Harvey - charvey@macon.com Sign up for daily e-mail news alerts

ATLANTA — The statistics can be deceiving, as can the records.

But the Virginia Cavaliers offer a serious threat. At least, that’s the way Georgia Tech sees it.

“They have some good players,” Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson said. “We have to play as well as we can play and see if we’re good enough. I tell our guys that all the time, ‘Go play your game and see if you’re good enough. The best way to win the game is not to lose it. So don’t give them away and make them beat you. You pose quite the challenge.’ ”

The 11th-ranked Yellow Jackets hope to be a formidable foe Saturday when they take on a team that has won three straight games and has rolled over Georgia Tech for four wins in the past five meetings.

With injuries hitting Virginia recently, as well as key changes in offensive philosophy, the Cavaliers have been as hot as any team in the ACC. Blowing out Indiana on the road two weeks ago, sandwiched by road wins over North Carolina and Maryland, the Cavaliers are currently atop the Coastal Division standings with a 2-0 record in conference play.

The Yellow Jackets (6-1, 4-1) are in second place. There’s another reason Georgia Tech doesn’t plan on overlooking Virginia. It has to do with history. With a 6-1 record late in October last year, the Yellow Jackets were primed for a potential run at the conference championship game.

But a late Cavaliers comeback at Bobby Dodd Stadium helped stall those hopes. Not to mention, Virginia is 10-1 the past three seasons in the month of October.

Cavaliers head coach Al Groh doesn’t want those statistics to register with his team.

“We are unconcerned and unimpressed with anything that happened in 2007, 2008 or in the previous three weeks,” he said matter-of-factly, beginning his comments on Wednesday’s ACC coaches teleconference.

While he may not want to acknowledge his team’s successes in this month and specifically over Georgia Tech — the Cavaliers lead the all-time series 16-14-1 — Johnson does.

“I don’t remember much about the week leading up. But I remember that in the game, we had a zillion chances to win,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of turnovers.”

The Yellow Jackets had two interceptions and a fumble in the second half.

Keeping last year’s performance fresh in mind, Johnson wants his players to stay hungry for revenge.

“They came and hit us in the mouth last year,” Johnson said. “So we know what we’re walking into. It’s going to be a tough, physical game.”
 

Yellow Jackets on the run
By Jay Jenkins
Published: October 22, 2009

There are a couple certainties leading up to Saturday’s pivotal showdown at Scott Stadium. Virginia (3-3, 2-0 ACC) has history on its side, having won every home affair since the monumental collapse in 1990.
Quarterback Jameel Sewell, nursing a sore ankle, practiced fully on Wednesday with the Cavaliers and deems himself ready to play.
Another given is that Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt will run. And he will run some more.
One of the most versatile performers in the nation, Nesbitt spearheads the triple-option Yellow Jacket offense that has churned out yardage at a staggering clip.
Georgia Tech (6-1, 4-1 ACC) ranks second in the country in rushing, averaging 281.6 yards per game.
Individually, Nesbitt ranks 34th in the country and has amassed 625 yards on the ground through seven games and has operated the option fluidly.
“As in any system, the quarterback position is the key, and decision-making is one of the significant talents,” Virginia coach Al Groh said. “Those things that are evident to observers from a distance, whether they’re throwing it overhand or throwing it underhand on options, people from a distance just see the physical skills. But the decision-making process is one of the primary skills in being a really good quarterback, and the decisions that the option quarterbacks have to make come so quickly, frequently within a split second of the ball being snapped, and right at the line of scrimmage as opposed to further back.
“I’d say that one is more difficult than the other, but one happens faster than the other.
And so accumulated experience in that type of system, fast decision system, option offense, it’s really critical to a player being able to play well. So it’s very, very evident that Josh is now a season and a half into this offense as opposed to a half season the last time that we saw him.”
Nesbitt made history earlier this season, running for over 100 yards in back-to-back games, but he has sprinkled in a passing attack at times. That may not sneak into the game plan, however, against Virginia’s strong pass defense.
“He can certainly throw the ball when it is called,” Virginia linebacker Denzel Burrell said. “You never know when it might be coming so you have to be ready for it at all times.”
While many of the concepts from Georgia Tech’s offense remain the same, tweaks have been put in place. Some of that has led to fewer carries at fullback and a greater number of attempts from Nesbitt.
Jonathan Dwyer, the Yellow Jackets’ top tailback, is used quite frequently but ranks behind Nesbitt in yardage and carries.
Regardless, Georgia Tech is 12th in the BCS standings and will win the Coastal Division should it win the final three league games.
“I would say they’re certainly bright enough not to diminish [Dwyer’s] effectiveness in the offense,” Groh said, “but what has increased is the overall contribution and effectiveness of the quarterback.”
 

Jackets tacking Cavaliers seriously
By Jerry Ratcliffe
Published: October 22, 2009
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Scattershooting around the ACC, while noting that Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson is not taking underdog Virginia lightly for this Saturday’s clash of Coastal Division leaders ...
The Yellow Jackets’ coach said he hasn’t had to mention their losing streak in Charlottesville to his team because they’ve been hearing about it all week. Tech hasn’t won at Virginia since 1990, an eight-game drought over that span.
“[The players] are aware of it because everybody else has mentioned it,” Johnson said during Wednesday’s ACC Coaches Teleconference. “I don’t know how much motivation [the streak] is. These kids could care less about what happened in 1990.
“How this all serves our kids is they know we’re in for a tough game and our kids already know that because [Virginia] hit us in the mouth last year,” Johnson added. “We know we’re in for a tough, physical game.”
Georgia Tech was about a two touchdown favorite last year at home and riding high with a 6-1 record when the Cavaliers came in and upset the Ramblin’ Wreck.
Two-headed monster
Al Groh had a good explanation of what it’s like trying to shut down a Georgia Tech running game that’s ranked No. 2 in the nation.
Option quarterback Josh Nesbitt is Tech’s leading rusher, ahead of last year’s ACC Offensive Player of the Year, tailback Jonathan Dwyer.
“It’s like if you take some of the outstanding runners in the league, like Clemson’s C.J. Spiller or Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams,” Groh said. “Instead of having one Spiller in the backfield, imagine Clemson having two, or Virginia Tech having two Ryan Williams.
“That’s the way it is with Dwyer and Nesbitt, side by side. Nesbitt is a throwback to the old days when you had Single Wing triple threat quarterbacks.
Will the Thrill
With defensive end Matt Conrath out for this week’s game due to the leg injury he suffered at Maryland last Saturday, Virginia has elected to start true freshman Will Hill of Williamsburg. Hill was the player allowed to enroll early at mid-semester and has been deemed ready to start against the Yellow Jackets.
“He’s in the same circumstance in week seven that some of his predecessors were in week one of their freshman seasons,” Groh said. “Blackstock, Lundy, Ferguson, all started in the first game of their freshmen year. We feel he’s ready.”
Groh said people are making too much out of the use of freshmen. He has already played 12 this year, same as Maryland and Florida State.
“Everybody gets hung up on this redshirt thing,” Groh said. “Just because a player doesn’t redshirt this season doesn’t mean they can’t redshirt later. We’re not looking any further beyond next Saturday. That’s what’s important.”
The devil you say
Watch out for Duke. This isn’t your father’s Blue Devils as evidenced by their lopsided win over N.C. State a couple of weeks ago.
Duke gets Maryland on Saturday and should be favored to beat the struggling Terps.
“This isn’t an old Duke team where people just run all over them,” said Wolfpack senior running back Jamelle Eugene. “You’re going to get a fight. This is a new Duke team. Their coach has them looking good and playing with a ton of confidence. They outplayed us. They were the better team.
Thursday night confusion
Warning: Stay away from Chapel Hill this afternoon and tonight. Guaranteed mass confusion ahead.
Well, North Carolina officials and Chapel Hill residents hope that’s not the case when the Tar Heels host their first ever Thursday night football game when Florida State comes to town for the nationally-televised ESPN showcase.
The game is having a major impact on the way of life in Chapel Hill because of traffic, parking, and the like.
UNC Hospitals, which are located behind Kenan Stadium, will close its clinics down at 3 p.m. in order to clear traffic for the game. Some offices on campus are closing their offices two hours early, at 3 p.m., just because of the game and possible congestion.
Heels coach Butch Davis said hosting a Thursday night game is a big step forward in the growth of Carolina’s program.
Not if you don’t win.
No go at FSU
While Carolina is the only ACC school to never host a Thursday night game, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said Wednesday that fans shouldn’t expect to see one again in Tallahassee.
FSU has hosted a Thursday night game only once, back in 2002, when the Seminoles defeated Clemson. That was the one and only.
“If I’m going to play a Thursday night game, Id like to play it in Tallahassee,” Bowden said, obviously not crazy about tonight’s road game in Chapel Hill. “We have a policy [at FSU] that we’re not going to do it (host one). Too much disruption.”
By the way, Virginia has an overall record of
5-5 in Thursday night games, 3-1 at home. The Cavaliers last played on Thursday night in 2006, twice, beating North Carolina 23-0 in Charlottesville, and losing 24-7 at Georgia Tech.
Turtle soup
If it seems that Maryland might be reaching for the panic button, you’re right.
The Terps, now 2-5, threw everything they had at Virginia last Saturday in rain-soaked Byrd Stadium and still fell, 20-9.
If you’ll recall our scriblings from last week, we mentioned that Terps’ linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield would play with two broken bones in his hand because the Virginia game was sort of a line in the sand for Maryland. Hartsfield did play and it appears his hand is damaged more than originally suspected. He underwent surgery the day after the loss to Virginia and will be out of action for the next four weeks.
Coach Ralph Friedgen has played nine true freshmen thus far, sending defensive tackle Justin Anderson into action against UVa, and the Fridge said he is considering giving time to true freshman QB Danny O’Brien.
Kowalkowski passes
Former Virginia football great Bob Kowalkowski, who captained the 1965 Wahoos, has passed away in Michigan.
Kowalkowski, 65, was a star offensive lineman for UVa and then for the NFL’s Detroit Lions. He spent 11 seasons with the Lions and played in 138 games, starting every game at guard for one five-year stretch (1972-76).
“Bob exemplified the tough, physical player you had to be to succeed in the NFL,” Lions’ Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders said of his former teammate.
“Bob was a little undersized compared to most offensive linemen, but he made up for it with hard work and always going the extra measure in the weight room, film room or during practice,” said former Lions quarterback Greg Landry.
Kowalkowski’s wife, Judy, is a longtime front office employee for the Lions organization, and his son, Scott, played eight years with the Lions.
Quote of the week
Boston College coach Frank Spaziani on the record-setting 264 yards rushing by Eagles tailback Montel Harris last week against N.C. State:
“We’ve had a lot of good backs here and I can’t really make comparisons, but he is a special back. He’s got great vision and he floats, like the puck in air hockey.”
Stat of the week
Virginia’s defense has been tough on third down so far this season. The Cavaliers have held opponents to a 29.3 percent rate of conversion on third down, best in the ACC.
Other UVa defensive numbers: No. 11 nationally in pass defense (162.33 yards per game); No. 21 in total defense (293.83); No. 29 in scoring defense (18.67 points allowed per game); and No. 59 in rushing defense (131.50).
Short yardage
The ACC’s Atlantic Division is a mess. No one seems to want to take control, with all six teams having at least two conference losses. Note that the Atlantic Division is 0-6 against the Coastal this season. ...Is Boston College one of those teams that can only win at home? The Eagles are 5-0 at home and 0-2 on the road, including a 54 yards of total offense performance in a 25-7 loss at Clemson and a 48-14 defeat at Virginia Tech. Looks like BC’s six-game win streak over Notre Dame will end this week in South Bend.
The picks
Last week: 3-2 (finally got N.C. State right!); To date: 34-16. Tonight: Florida State 33, North Carolina 17. Saturday: Notre Dame 36, Boston College 24; Miami 27, Clemson 20; Duke 40, Maryland 26; Wake Forest 27, Navy 24; Virginia 24, Georgia Tech 23 (the streak lives).

Lake Washington coach Ray Roberts to have jersey retired
Posted by Mason Kelley

Lake Washington football coach Ray Roberts is going to have his jersey retired by the University of Virginia on Saturday. There will be a ceremony during the Cavaliers' game against Georgia Tech.

"It means a lot to me, not just for my own personal achievement, but there were a lot of people who played a part in encouraging me and supporting me throughout the situation," Roberts said. "(The coaching staff) just had a lot of faith in me that I could get it done. They pushed me hard and they expected a lot, and I think that means a lot for all the work that they put in and then obviously all the work that I put in."

Roberts will fly to Virginia after the Kangaroos' game against Inglemoor on Thursday.

After his playing days at Virginia, Roberts was selected in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft by Seattle. The offensive tackle spent the first four years of a nine-year professional career with the Seahawks before finishing with the Detroit Lions.

Looking back, Roberts said he learned a lot about how to be a coach during his days at Virginia.

"Tom O'Brien, who is now the head coach at North Carolina State, just the way he taught me to approach the game as far as studying film and breaking down film, and paying close attention to techniques and things," Roberts said.

With a 1-6 record, it has been a tough season for the Kangaroos in terms of wins and losses, but Roberts said his team is making progress in his second season as head coach.

"The great thing is that we have a great group of seniors this year," Roberts said. "I can't say that we have one dynamic leader. Last year, we had Eric Folkers, who was a pretty big-time leader and respected kid. But this year, we have a group of guys, and they do such a great job of encouraging the team, keeping the mood light, understanding that sometimes we're at a physical disadvantage, but still trying to find something positive from the game."

Roberts said the Kangaroos had one of their best practices of the season Monday night. Lake Washington players are starting to believe in themselves and the system, which should help the program in the future. The biggest problem Roberts faces right now is getting players to turn out for the team.

With a participation fee of $275, Roberts said his numbers dropped from 70 to 40 players and prevented Lake Washington from fielding sophomore and junior varsity teams.

"That's the unfortunate thing about our situation in a school like ours, where you're trying to rebuild and you want as many kids out as possible, and we just can't do it because some of the kids can't afford to play," Roberts said.

 

Bennett shaping new-look Cavalier squad
By Michael Phillips
Published: October 22, 2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE Tony Bennett has been running basketball practices at U.Va. for a week now. In that time, and since workouts started this fall, the players have learned a few things about him.

The 40-year-old coach is a big fan of the movie "Rocky," and says he wants to install a "bulldog mentality" among this year's Cavaliers. He's old enough that he's taken up golf, but young enough that he carries around an iPod. He also remembers what it's like to be a player, and plans drills accordingly.

But above all, the players have learned this: They will play strong defense this year.

"You mess up and take a bad shot on offense, he might get mad," guard Jontel Evans said. "But you give up a play on defense, and oh, maaaan."

Evans gives a head shake, indicating that a defensive lapse is the most serious type in the eyes of the coach.

Bennett is weeks away from his first game as head coach at Virginia and refuses to place unrealistic expectations on this year's squad. He's rebuilding the mentality of the program from the fundamentals up, emphasizing ball control and defense.

"As a younger coach, I wanted to do about 12 things really well," he said. "But that's impossible. You can't. So I hope in time you'll look at this team and say that that's what they hang their hat on -- they control the ball well, and they defend well."

The rebuilding program will be instituted with players from a 10-18 season last year, the last for coach Dave Leitao.

Players say they're welcoming Bennett's approach so far. He's coming off a successful stint at Washington State, and will look to implement his defensive-minded strategy in Charlottesville.

Bennett remains the NCAA leader in career 3-point percentage, and said that he still tries to think like a player when planning drills.

"I try to think, as a player, what did I like? What did I understand? If you do drills for the sake of doing drills, it doesn't work," he said. "Whatever you do has to fit into the big picture."

That's why he takes time to explain to his players the overall goals of each drill and practice.

The coaches were allowed to work with small groups of players during the fall and last Friday began work with the whole team. Bennett said that he's focusing more on fundamentals and technique at the start, and that he'll build into plays and other skill development.

"If we have short-term success, that's great, but we're building for the long haul," he said. "I'm realistic. There's some ground to cover and some work to do."

It remains to be seen if that attitude can stick through an entire season in the ACC, but for now, the players are buying in and ready to participate -- and they're starting to take pride in playing defense.

"We might not score a lot of points," guard Tristan Spurlock said. "But I don't think any team is going to be able to score a lot of points against us."
 

Oct. 21, 2009
3:28 p.m.
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- In a country thousands of miles from his native Senegal, Assane Sene found a father figure in Dave Leitao.
So Sene was stunned and confused after learning in March that Leitao would not return as UVa men's basketball coach in 2009-10.
"It was kind of difficult," Sene told me last week at John Paul Jones Area, "because especially if you have a relationship with a guy for two years or three years, and just wake up one day and he's leaving, it's not something easy. It's going to be really tough to swallow.
"It was really hard, but after that I said I've just got to take my time and see who's coming in. If it's someone that's coming in who I don't like, I can just make my decision in time to go somewhere else."
After meeting with new coach Tony Bennett, Sene felt much better.
"He was a good guy, and I really like him, and I would really like to play for him," Sene said. "So after that I decided I've just got to stay here."
Sene is coming off a freshman season marked by inconsistency. He started 16 times and averaged 4.6 rebounds and a team-high 1.6 blocked shots in little than 17 minutes per game. From the field, however, he shot 38.5 percent, and he was worse from the line, where he made only 6 of 21 attempts (28.6 percent).
The left-handed Sene played most of the season with a plastic brace on his injured left thumb, which contributed to his shooting woes.
"I think last year was season was, I can't say it was good, but it was OK," Sene said. "Because you know my thumb was bothering me, and that was my first year in the ACC, so I was learning.
"So this coming season I'm going to be more excited, because I've learned a lot of stuff and also have a great guy like Coach Bennett this year who is teaching us a lot of stuff, trying to make my game better, also.
"I think this coming season I'm going to be better than last year."
Sene, whose thumb has healed, weighs about 235 pounds. He's gained about seven pounds working with Mike Curtis, UVa's new strength-and-conditioning coach for men's hoops.
"I feel stronger in the post, more explosive, running the floor well, and feel healthy," Sene said. "So I'm feeling good now. I'm feeling good."
-- Jeff White
 

Cavaliers Down Hokies in First ACC Dual Meet
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 10/21/2009

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia men's and women's swimming and diving teams defeated Virginia Tech in the first Atlantic Coast Conference dual meet of the season Wednesday in Blacksburg, Va. The UVa women defeated Virginia Tech 180-120, led by three event wins from freshman Lauren Perdue. The Cavalier men beat the Hokies 177-123 as Matt McLean, Dan McMahon and Scot Robison were all double-event winners.
Additionally, Virginia set 10 War Memorial Pool records, six by the women and four by the men. Pool records set by the women included Perdue in the 200 free (1:47.98), Jen Narum in the 1650 free (16:40.56), Mei Christensen in the 100 back (54.73), Liz Shaw in the 200 fly (2:00.56), Claire Crippen in the 400 IM (4:19.17) and the 800 freestyle relay team (7:29.09). Records set by the men included Taylor Smith in the 1650 free (15:33.76), John Azar in the 200 breast (2:01.83), Darren Anksoko in the 400 IM (3:59.47) and the 800 freestyle relay team (6:44.41).
"That pool is not known to be a fast facility and has been a strong and powerful home pool for them," Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino said. "We certainly neutralized that by going in there and setting records. This was a very strong statement meet for us, especially coming out of difficult and challenging training."
Perdue, a native of Greenville, N.C., won the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events for the Orange and Blue. She recorded an NCAA 'B' time of 1:47.89 in the 200 free, to go along with times of 23.14 in the 50 free and 50.29 in the 100 free.
"Lauren had a spectacular race in the 200 free," Bernardino continued. "She bounced right back a couple of events later to win the 50 free and that really shows her conditioning is starting to come around. I liked how she raced the 200 - she led right from when the gun fired until the very end."
The women's 200 medley relay team of Christensen, Katherine McDonnell, Lauren Smart and newcomer Kelly Flynn got things started with a first-place finish, clocking an NCAA 'B' time of 1:42.57.
"I thought the women came out and took command of the meet from the get-go," Bernardino said. "They were ready and focused. They raced having a really good mental edge."
Another freshman, Christine Olson, led Virginia to a 1-2-3 finish in the 200 breast, with a winning time of 2:17.37. McDonnell placed second (2:19.29) while Crippen was third (2:21.87). Olson also won the 100 breast (1:04.48) while McDonnell was second (1:04.65).
Shaw paced the women to another 1-2-3 finish in the 200 fly. Shaw, a Richmond, Va., native, clocked an NCAA 'B' time of 2:00.56 to take first-place honors. Joanna Thomas was second (2:02.05) and Crippen finished third (2:02.64).
Christensen won both the 100 back (54.73) and 200 back (1:59.47), both NCAA 'B' standards. Smart placed second in the 200 back with a mark of 55.92.
Narum won the 1650 free in 16:40.65 and went on to finish second in the 500 free (4:58.17) behind classmate Jenna Harris (4:56.97). Smart also took first place in the 100 fly (55.68) followed by Shaw (56.86).
Crippen's time of 4:19.17 in the 400 IM was also good enough for first place, but she swam as an exhibition and therefore did not win points.
The 800 freestyle relay team of Harris, Perdue, Shaw and Flynn also clocked a winning time of 7:29.09, but the race was exhibitioned.
Ankosko led the way in the 400 IM where the Cavalier men went 1-2-3. He finished with a winning time of 3:59.47, followed by teammates Tim Hayes (4:02.96) and Nick Montes de Oca (4:06.13).
"The men did not come firing on all cylinders; they started sluggish and were not where we needed to be emotionally," Bernardino said. "We found ourselves behind at first diving break and had find a way to rally. We did that with the strength of our sprinters."
Robison picked up a victory in the 100 free (45.04), followed by McLean (46.12) and Karasek (47.06). Robison, a Charlotte, N.C. native, also took top honors in the 50 free (20.58).
"The sweep in the 100 free put the momentum back in our favor," Bernardino said. "It energized the men's team and we went on a big roll from that point forward. To me that was a huge turnaround event in the meet."
McLean led Virginia to a 1-2-3 finish in the 200 free, clocking a winning time of 1:39.63. David Karasek (1:41.04) was second and Ankosko (1:41.46) third. McLean also won the 500 free in a time of 4:32.40, while Taylor Smith was second in 4:34.19.
Senior John Azar claimed the 200 breast (2:01.83) ahead of Hayes, who placed second (2:05.75) and freshman Tom Casey, who was third (2:08.49).
Senior Daniel McMahon won both the 100 fly (50.44) and 200 fly (1:51.09), while senior Daniel Johnson finished first in the 200 back (1:49.65) and Taylor Smith claimed the 1650 free (15:33.76, 'B').
The 800 freestyle relay team of Robison, Karasek, Garrett Wren and Ankosko clocked a winning time of 6:44.41 in the meet's final event.
Virginia returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a home dual meet with Kentucky. Swimming events are set to begin at 11 a.m. with diving starting at 10 a.m. from the Aquatic and Fitness Center.