RALEIGH, N.C. – Saturday’s game at Carter-Finley Stadium surely will be remembered as one of the epic quarterback battles in ACC history. What may be forgotten - though not by N.C. State fans or Virginia’s defense - is that the outcome was determined by, of all things, a draw play.
T. A. McLendon’s 38-yard touchdown run with 23 seconds remaining gave the Wolfpack the go-ahead score in a wild 51-37 victory over Virginia. The final touchdown came on an interception return seconds later.
But perhaps the decisive play was appropriate. After all, McLendon gave State (7-3, 4-2 ACC) something UVa (5-4, 3-3) lacked - a second star to go along with brilliant play by its quarterback. The sophomore tailback accounted for 216 yards - 112 rushing, 104 receiving - as he and Philip Rivers provided an unstoppable one-two punch all day long.
“We had to keep an eye on him. We couldn’t just tee off on Rivers,” said UVa defensive end Chris Canty. “They’re two players who are really in sync with each other. You key on one, the other kills you.”
To be sure, it was a killer matchup between Rivers and his Virginia counterpart, Matt Schaub, who entered as the nation’s leaders in completion percentage and owners of most of their schools’ passing records. Historically, neither had played particularly well in their head-to-head meetings, but their last showdown - at least in college - quickly materialized into something special.
Schaub completed 41 of 55 passes for a school-record 393 yards and four touchdowns. Rivers was even better, going 29 of 34 for 410 yards and four TDs. Schaub’s final pass, returned for a 26-yard touchdown by safety Victor Stephens, was the only blemish on an eye-popping stat sheet for both QBs.
“I think what Rivers and Schaub both probably showed [is] that at this stage of their careers they’re too good for college football,” said UVa coach Al Groh, whose team has dropped its past three conference games after a 3-0 start in ACC play.
The Cavaliers fell into a fifth-place tie with Clemson and Wake Forest now have an off week before playing at Maryland on Nov. 13. It may take that long to digest their latest loss.
Groh called it “one of the best games in the history of this conference,” and it had a little bit of everything - four ties, four lead changes and a season’s worth of big plays.
A high snap by center Kevin Bailey gave the Wolfpack a gift touchdown to start things off. The Cavaliers recovered quickly, with Schaub throwing touchdown passes to Wali Lundy on each of the next two drives, and the quarterback duel was on.
Rivers had not thrown for a TD in three previous games against Virginia, but he made up for lost time. He had one scoring pass in each quarter - a 34-yarder to Chris Hawkins, a 33-yarder to Jerricho Cotchery, a 75-yarder to T.J. Williams and a 3-yarder to Chance Moyer.
Incredibly, Rivers completed his first 17 passes, yet his team trailed 24-23 at the half. That was because of two lost fumbles by his teammates and the near-perfection of Schaub, whose 17-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Sawyer was his third of the opening half.
“That was a hell of a show with two great quarterbacks battling it out,” said Marques Hagans, who caught seven of Schaub’s passes for 67 yards. “I’m glad to have been a part of it. I just wish we had won.”
Said N.C. State coach Chuck Amato: “For the type of game we were in, fighting to be the second-best team in the league, I thought Philip really stepped up. He hadn’t thrown a touchdown pass in the first three games against Virginia, but he got it done today. And when he got started up, he was hot as a pistol.”
Connor Hughes kicked field goals of 52, 23 and 36 yards for the Cavaliers, with the last one tying the game at 30 late in the third quarter.
That’s when things really got interesting. Rivers completed five straight passes on the next drive, including a dumpoff that McLendon took 45 yards to the UVa 3. Two plays later, Rivers found Moyer, a backup fullback, in the left side of the end zone with 10:37 remaining.
Not to be outdone, Schaub drove Virginia downfield, completing 8 of 9 throws for 77 yards. On fourth-and-one at the State 7, he rolled to his left and threw back right to Lundy, who was left uncovered and recorded his third touchdown catch of the day, knotting the score at 37.
Lundy finished with seven receptions for 78 yards, while fellow tailback Alvin Pearman had 13 catches, three shy of his own school record, for 87 yards. McLendon caught 11 passes for the Wolfpack, and Cotchery had seven for 111 yards.
With less than four minutes remaining, the Cavaliers had an opportunity to take control when they forced a rare N.C. State punt. Hagans returned it 17 yards to near midfield, but an illegal block penalty put the ball back at the UVa 27, and a sack by linebacker Pat Thomas quickly ruined the drive.
“We always say it’s not how many penalties you get, it’s when you get them,” Groh said.
After a punt, the Wolfpack took possession at its own 33 with 1:47 remaining and Rivers went to work, completing three passes to the UVa 38. Then, with the Cavaliers expecting a pass, he handed the ball to McLendon, who bulled over safety Jay Dorsey at the 30 and rumbled into the end zone as the crowd of 53,800 went bonkers.
Known as “Touchdown Anytime,” McLendon picked a perfect time for his first rushing TD in six weeks. He had missed four games with assorted injuries and was called “very, very, very doubtful” by Amato on Wednesday, but his presence made the difference Saturday.
“I’m glad he played. We like competition,” Groh said. “It’s a very competitive month, and it’s more fun when every team gets their best guys out there.”
Peach Bowl director Gary Stokan summed up the ACC race for second place before Saturday’s game between Virginia and North Carolina State when he said, “It’s basically a three-week playoff.”
Score Round One to the Wolfpack.
Locked in a virtual touchdown race for three-and-a-half hours, N.C. State pulled out the victory at the end, a 51-37 triumph that puts the Pack in control of their own destiny with ACC leader Florida State looming ahead in two weeks.
For Virginia, it’s back to the drawing board. With the loss, the Cavaliers slipped to a three-way tie for fifth place with Clemson and Wake Forest. But in this wacky, ACC year, most of the teams from second to seventh place will settle it between the lines the next few weeks.
Nobody’s out of it
Nobody’s got it locked. At least that’s what Virginia coach Al Groh is counting on.
“This is an exciting month in the ACC,” Groh said after calling UVa’s loss one of the most exciting games ever played in league history. “You win a game and lose the month or you lose a game and win the month.”
He’s banking on the latter.
“We’ve got four weeks of games that are grinders and we want to win three out of four,” Groh said.
The Cavaliers, 5-4 overall, 3-3 in the ACC, have an extra week to prepare for a key game at Maryland in a Thursday night ESPN contest Nov. 13, a game that will either make or break UVa’s season. Then comes Georgia Tech to close out the conference schedule, prior to a home nonconference game against Virginia Tech.
Visual delight
If you wanted trick plays, long passes and screwball offensive pyrotechnics, then you had to have loved Saturday’s game. Quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Philip Rivers, the top two passers in terms of accuracy in the country this season, didn’t disappoint.
They lit up the scoreboard and each other’s secondaries throughout the night as the two passers’ totals kept the record-keepers in the press box reaching for the White-Out. Records fell, history was made, defensive backs were scorched.
The McLendon mark
But in the end, the difference was a guy who wasn’t even supposed to play.
Earlier in the week, N.C. State coach Chuck Amato pretty much swore that his star back, T.A. McLendon wouldn’t play after receiving two arthroscopic procedures in a little over a week.
Amato’s words were “very, very, very doubtful.”
Groh, who is smarter than your average whip, used the Yogi Berra philosophy about Amato’s language: “I’ll believe it when I believe it.”
Groh said he expected McLendon to play and was glad he did. He wanted N.C. State’s best shot in this playoff
atmosphere, the time of year when college football is at its best. Groh knew McLendon being the warrior he is, would suit up.
While the big back was a workhorse most of the game, becoming the first player in Wolfpack history to rack up 100 yards both rushing and receiving in a contest, McLendon was the difference-maker when it mattered most.
He exploded for a 38-yard run to level the death blow to Virginia with 23 seconds to play, breaking a 37-37 tie and catapulting the Wolfpack to second place in the league standings.
Without McLendon, N.C. State is a good team. With him, the Wolfies have real potential.
“He’s like a bulldozer,” said UVa linebacker Ahmad Brooks. “He was breaking tackles everywhere, the sidelines, up the middle. He’s an outstanding player.”
On that last run, there was little Virginia could do once McLendon crossed the line of scrimmage. He steamrolled one defender and it was over.
“T.A. made a great run,” said Cavalier cornerback Muffin Curry, who momentarily got a hand on the big back. “He had great blocking up front and then came through the hole full speed. He broke one tackle and there’s not much you can do.”
The fact that McLendon was able to pick up the tough yards made it more difficult on Virginia’s defense, which kept guessing. Rivers’ play fakes to McLendon opened up the bootleg and other passes, not that Rivers ever needs much help.
State drew first blood in one of the most critical plays of the game, recovering a fumble in the end zone for a 7-0 lead after center Kevin Bailey snapped the ball over Schaub’s head.
For a while it was like the Wolfpack was playing with the casino’s money.
“Emotionally, we quickly recovered from it but they didn’t give us an eraser to scratch it off the scoreboard,” Groh said.
Virginia came back quickly to knot it at seven and as the two teams continued to trade scores, Schaub said it kept running through his mind that the last team that got the ball would win.
Usually such a play as the high snap can lead to Gridicide, but Virginia made other costly mistakes in the game, such as a key block in the back penalty with less than four minutes to play.
With the score tied at 37, and 3:31 remaining, the illegal block pushed Virginia back 10 yards to its own 27 after a Marques Hagans punt return. Armed with a strong kicker in Connor Hughes, who had added his second 50-plus yard field goal of the season earlier in the game, Groh believed his team could have grinded out clock-eating first downs for a potential game-winning kick.
Instead, his offense imploded with an incomplete pass, an eight-yard sack, a completion and punt.
Instead, it was McLendon’s turn to show his stuff.
Now, Groh’s Cavaliers share the same end of the leaky canoe as a couple of other ACC teams hoping for a strong finish and still a shot at second place in the league.
“I love this time of year,” Groh said. “You win your way in or play your way out.”
The Wahoos could go either way at this point, although the odds makers wouldn’t consider them the safe bet.
“Teams are supposed to bounce,” Groh said. “If you’re worth anything you bounce back and I believe these guys will bounce back.”
RALEIGH, N.C. - When their long, extraordinary day of aerial exploits was over - one in which they combined for 89 passes, 70 completions, 803 yards and eight touchdowns - Matt Schaub and Philip Rivers met near midfield.
“I told him neither one of us deserved to lose that game,” Rivers said. “He had a great game and it ended bad for him. I told him to keep leading the team and to win out.”
Schaub thanked him for the kind words and jogged back to his locker room, where the Virginia quarterback took little consolation in his personal performance after a draining 51-37 loss to N.C. State.
“Doesn’t mean anything,” Schaub said of his new school record for passing yards (393) in a single game. He also tied his own UVa mark with 41 completions in 55 attempts, and threw for four touchdowns.
Despite his heroics, Schaub had the second-best day among the quarterbacks at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. That’s because Rivers was ridiculous, completing his first 17 passes en route to a 29-of-34, 410-yard, four-TD afternoon.
Rivers also did not throw an interception or get sacked, while Schaub took an eight-yard sack on UVa’s next-to-last drive, then watched safety Victor Stephens return his final desperation pass for a 26-yard touchdown with eight seconds left.
Before that, he had matched Rivers pass for pass, play for play, and neither had blinked all day.
“We knew it was going to be a shootout,” Schaub said. “We knew whoever scored last was going to win the game.”
Ultimately, Schaub didn’t get as much help as Rivers. The Cavaliers rushed for just 50 yards, while the Wolfpack had 143 yards on the ground. State’s defense also scored two touchdowns.
Schaub threw for three touchdowns in the first half - two to tailback Wali Lundy and one to receiver Ryan Sawyer. He also connected with Lundy for a third TD in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 37.
“I think obviously Matt had one of his best games ever,” said UVa coach Al Groh. That’s saying something considering Schaub was the 2002 ACC player of the year and has turned in many memorable performances.
“I’ve said that no player has carried his team as much over the last two years as Matt has,” Groh said. “That’s the case with a lot of great players. Philip Rivers has done it here. Peyton Manning has done it for years. Dan Marino did it. When you’re that kind of quarterback, that’s what you’re supposed to do. That’s what makes guys special.”
Ultimately, Schaub realized he was a big part of a special day.
On a summer-like afternoon in November, he and Rivers put on a show perhaps never seen before in ACC history.
“It was exciting. It was a great atmosphere, so energetic,” Schaub said. “Both teams were playing well. It was a shootout from start to finish.”
Records.
l Virginia QB Matt Schaub already owned most of his school’s passing records
but added another to his collection by throwing for 393 yards, the highest
single-game total in Wahoo history. Schaub’s yardage broke the 390-yard mark
of Aaron Brooks set against Virginia Tech in 1998.
l Schaub’s 41 completions tied his own record set against Georgia Tech last
season.
l The UVa QB’s 393 yards marked his seventh 300-plus passing game, a school
record. He has passed for at least 200 yards in his last six games, also a
Wahoo record.
l N.C. State tailback T.A. McLendon became the first player in Wolfpack
history to both rush for 100 yards in a game and have 100 yards in receiving
in a game. McLendon had a career-high 104 receiving yards and 112 rushing
yards.
l UVa sophomore place-kicker Connor Hughes became the first in Cavalier
history to have two, 50-yard (plus) field goals in a season. Hughes booted
three field goals in the game, the longest a 52-yarder. He previously kicked a
53-yarder against Wake Forest. Hughes is 14 for 15 on field goal attempts this
season.
l Tight end Heath Miller established a new UVa record for most catches by a
tight end in a season with 46.
Rivers’ day. N.C. State senior QB Philip Rivers became the first
quarterback in ACC history to have thrown for 3,000 or more yards in three
seasons. He is also only the seventh player in NCAA history to do so.
He also passed Louisville’s Chris Redman and Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury for
third place in NCAA history with 12,352 career yards of total offense. Rivers
is also fifth in NCAA history with 12,311 career passing yards.
He also tied the ACC record for 400-yard passing games with former Maryland QB
Scott Milanovich (1992-96) with five.
Eye openers.
l Schaub’s 63-yard pass to wide receiver Ryan Sawyer was the longest play from
scrimmage this season.
l Schaub now has 51 career TD passes, making him the second player in UVa
history to throw at least 50. Shawn Moore (1987-90) holds the record with 55.
l Alvin Pearman’s 13 catches (87 yards) were the most by an N.C. State
opponent this season. Pearman has 37 receptions for 272 yards and a TD in the
last three games.
l Schaub’s 41 completions were the most by an N.C. State foe this season.
l Wali Lundy’s three TDs were the most by any player against the Wolfpack this
season. Lundy’s three catches for scores were the second-most by a UVa player
in a game and the first time since wide receiver Tyrone Davis had three
against Navy in 1994.
l State is now 6-0 at home. Virginia is 2-3 on the road overall, 1-2 in the
ACC.
l Four Wolfpack players scored their first career touchdowns in the game:
Garland Heath on a fumble recovery; Chris Hawkins, Chance Moyer and Victor
Stephens.
l N.C. State receiver Jerricho Cotchery extended his streak of consecutive
games with a reception to 36, the second-longest streak in Pack history (Bryan
Peterson had a 39-game streak from 1999-2002).
l Rivers started the game by completing 17 straight passes, the most by a
Wolfpack QB since 1992.
Points aplenty. N.C. State’s 51 points were the most scored against
Virginia since the Cavaliers were hammered by Illinois in the 1999
Micronpc.com Bowl in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Illini beat UVa 63-21 in that
game.
In fact, the 51 Wolfpack points were the most N.C. State ever scored on
Virginia in the 53 meetings dating back to 1904.
Injury report. Virginia did not report any serious injuries in the game,
however starting senior left guard Brian Barthelmes did not play after
suffering from food poisoning on Thursday night. He reported feeling
light-headed on Saturday and wasn’t game ready.
In his place, true freshman Ian-Yates Cunningham, a 6-foot-6, 309-pounder from
Plano, Texas, gained the first start of his career. Cunningham chose Virginia
over Nebraska, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Georgia Tech.
The series. The Wolfpack holds a 32-20-1 advantage, including a 15-8 lead in Raleigh, N.C. Virginia had won five of the six meetings against State.
On deck. Virginia, now 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the ACC, has a bye week
before traveling to Maryland on Nov. 13, for a nationally-televised ESPN
Thursday night game.
N.C. State, 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the ACC, also has a bye week and doesn’t
play again until Nov. 15 when the Wolfpack travels to Florida State.
McLendon leaves no doubt for 'Pack
T.A. McLendon breaks a 37-all tie with a 38-yard TD run with 23 seconds left,
and N.C. State closes with a defensive score.
By Doug Doughty
RALEIGH, N.C. - Virginia football coach Al Groh didn't believe it Wednesday and
he certainly didn't believe it Saturday.
North Carolina State tailback T.A. McLendon, described as "very, very, very
doubtful" at midweek, raced 38 yards with 23 seconds left Saturday as the
Wolfpack overcame the Cavaliers 51-37.
"I thought he would play," Groh said. "He was very, very doubtful last year and
he played then, too."
That might have been the only similarity between those two games. Quarterbacks
Matt Schaub and Philip Rivers, unspectacular in the Cavaliers' 14-9 win last
year in Charlottesville, put on a show Saturday.
"It certainly had to be one of the best games in the history of this
conference," said Groh, whose team dropped to 5-4 (3-3 ACC) with its third loss
in four games.
On a day when both quarterbacks passed for four touchdowns, the difference was
McLendon, who had arthroscopic knee surgery Oct.22.
McLendon, who had played in only five of nine games because of hamstring
problems and a knee that was scoped twice in six days, carried 18 times for 112
yards and also caught 11 passes for 104 yards.
"Isn't it a shame that T.A. hasn't been able to play as much as we would have
liked this season," said Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato, author of the pessimistic
midweek quote about McLendon's status. "It's incredible what he has gone through
the past two weeks. He's just a force being in the backfield."
"I'm tired of sitting out," McLendon said, "and basically I just wanted to play
my game today."
McLendon's 45-yard reception early in the fourth quarter set up a 3-yard
touchdown pass from Rivers to Chance Moyer that put the Wolfpack ahead 37-30
with 10:37 remaining.
Schaub responded by tossing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Wali Lundy with 6:29
left, and it remained a tie score until the final 30 seconds.
That's when McLendon burst through the right side of the Wolfpack line and raced
through the UVa defense for the go-ahead score. State tacked on a final
touchdown with eight seconds left on an interception and 26-yard return by
Victor Stephens.
That was the only blemish on a record-setting day by Schaub, a fifth-year senior
who completed 41 of 51 passes for 393 yards. The 41 completions tied a school
record set by Schaub last season against Georgia Tech. His passing yardage
surpassed the previous school high of 390 set by Aaron Brooks in 1998.
Rivers, who had not previously thrown a touchdown pass against the Cavaliers,
was 29-of-34 for 410 yards. He began the game with 17 straight completions.
"I think he's a wonderful player," Groh said. "I've felt that for four years. I
can't speak highly enough of Philip Rivers, but I'm here to extol my
quarterback, who I thought did a marvelous job for his team."
State (7-3, 4-2) amassed 553 yards, the high against Virginia this year, but two
of the Wolfpack's touchdowns resulted directly from turnovers by UVa, the first
after a shotgun snap from Kevin Bailey that sailed over Schaub's head on UVa's
first series of downs.
Wolfpack defensive back Garland Heath fell on the ball in the end zone, giving
State a 7-0 lead.
"Emotionally, our team quickly recovered," said Groh, who watched the Cavaliers
rally to take a 14-7 lead. "Unfortunately, with that recovery, they didn't
provide us with an eraser. We couldn't go up to the scoreboard and take the
seven points off.
"If a player knocks the ball loose or you throw an interception, you lament your
turnover for a score, but you have to give credit to the other team. This was
like we signed a contract and we signed it to be down 7-0.
"It was forgotten in my mind over the course of the game, but when you look
back, it was a major play in the game."
Groh also was left to agonize over a block in the back by Marcus Hamilton that
nullified most of a 21-yard punt return by Marques Hagans that would have given
Virginia a first down at its 48-yard line with almost four minutes left.
"As we say to the players all the time, it's not just how many penalties you
get, but where you get 'em," Groh said. "Here, we were going to get the ball at
the 50-yard line, with time and a very good kicker."
Instead, UVa started the drive at its 27. Schaub was sacked on second down, and
a 15-yard pass to Lundy fell short of the first-down marker on third down.
On first down, Schaub had thrown incomplete to Alvin Pearman, which did the
Wolfpack a favor by stopping the clock.
"Just out of my reach," Pearman said. "That really symbolized the whole day."
Big day no comfort to Pearman
By Doug Doughty
RALEIGH, N.C. - Now that he holds the Virginia record of 16 receptions in a
game, established two weeks ago, Alvin Pearman can catch 13 passes in a game and
it's no big deal, especially after a loss.
"We're not just a little bit against the wall; we're a lot against the wall,"
said Pearman after a 51-37 loss at North Carolina State.
One week after rushing for a career-high 138 yards against Troy State, Pearman
carried 11 times for 7 yards against the Wolfpack. The Cavaliers rushed for only
50 yards as a team and continued to experience difficulty in short-yardage
situations.
Twice, UVa attempted to run the ball in third-and-one situations and Pearman
failed to pick up the first down, once when the Cavaliers needed 6 inches. The
inability to convert third-and-ones was also costly in a 30-27 overtime loss at
Clemson.
The Cavaliers converted two fourth-down passes Saturday, one a 29-yarder to
Pearman, who finished with 13 receptions for 87 yards.
That was the second-highest mark in UVa history and left Pearman with 37 catches
in his last three games.
Decision due
Boston College expects to learn by mid-November if it will be held to the $5
million, 27-month exit terms agreed to informally by the Big East or whether it
can join the ACC as early as the 2004-05 school year.
ACC assistant commissioner Mike Finn, a guest in the N.C. State press box
Saturday, said earlier in the week that he would estimate Boston College's
chances of playing ACC football in 2004 at 25 percent, 50 percent in 2005 and 25
percent in 2006.
"I think it may be better than that now for 2004," Finn said Saturday.
Milestones
Sophomore Connor Hughes became the first player in UVa history to kick two field
goals of 50 yards or more in the same season. Rafael Garcia is the only other
UVa kicker with two 50-yarders in a career. With his 52-yarder in the second
quarter, Hughes now has two of the four longest field goals in UVa history.
Hagan defended
Groh, who says that punter Tom Hagan's knee problems are common for a football
player at this time of year, expressed displeasure with the Scott Stadium fans
who have booed the punting at home games.
"I would suggest to all those people who think they could do better, if they'd
like to come out here on Wednesday afternoon, we'll let them try to punt under a
full rush," Groh said. "Then, if they don't do very well, we'll let the whole
team stand there and boo 'em."
By the numbers
Wali Lundy did not have a touchdown reception this season until he had two in
the first quarter. ... A 63-yard pass from Schaub was Virginia's longest play
from scrimmage this season, as well as the longest completion of Schaub's career
Personnel
Ian-Yates Cunningham, a 6-foot-6, 309-pounder from Plano, Texas, started at left
guard in place of Brian Barthelmes. It was the first career start for
Cunningham, who became the second freshman to start for the Cavaliers. The first
was linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who actually enrolled in January but has five
seasons of eligibility starting this season.
n Junior linebacker Dennis Haley from Salem got his first start of the season as
the Cavaliers began the game in their nickel formation. Haley was joined on the
inside by Richie Bedesem, plagued by knee problems since early October.
Rivers, Schaub in duel
By Dave Johnson
Daily Press
Published November 2, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The talk all week centered around the individual matchup at
quarterback. Neither Philip Rivers nor Matt Schaub did anything to disappoint
Saturday.
Rivers, whose season has been Heisman-worthy, completed 29-of-34 passes for 410
yards and four touchdowns. He hit on his first 17 passes before throwing the
ball away to stop the clock on the next-to-last play of the first half. Schaub
completed 41-of-55 for a school-record 393 yards and four touchdowns.
"I think these two players both showed that at this stage of their careers,
they're both too good for college football," Virginia coach Al Groh said.
Rivers completed passes to nine different receivers, Schaub to eight.
It had to be especially sweet for Rivers, who in his 46-game career had not
thrown a touchdown pass against Virginia. He came close last fall, when his
last-second throw to the end zone was broken up to seal the Cavaliers' 14-9
victory.
"For the type of game we were in, fighting to be the second-best team in the
league, I thought Philip really stepped up," State coach Chuck Amato said. "He
hadn't thrown a touchdown pass in the first three games against Virginia, but he
got it today. And when he got started up, he was a pistol."
To add to his already long list of superlatives, Rivers became the first
quarterback in ACC history to throw for at least 3,000 yards in three seasons.
BOWL STUFF. Well, it's that time of the year again. Halloween's over and bowl
representatives are coming out.
The Peach Bowl had two representatives in Carter-Finley Stadium. The Peach also
scouted Clemson-Wake Forest and North Carolina-Maryland Saturday.
"It's a three-week playoff," said Gary Stokan, the game's executive director,
"and they all play each other."
OK, the Peach being here makes sense. But the Orange Bowl? The Orange, need you
be reminded, is a Bowl Championship Series game.
"A lot of strange stuff can happen in college football," Orange Bowl committee
member Clark Cook said. "We just want to be seen and let these teams know that
we will be interested if things work out."
BALL DISRUPTION THAT WASN'T. Groh constantly preaches the need for creating
turnovers. Cornerback Almondo Curry and defensive end Chris Canty made a big
play for Virginia in the second half, but it didn't count.
On a second-and-6, Rivers hit Tramain Hall for a first down right in front of
the Cavaliers' bench. As Hall fought for more yardage, Curry reached in and
stripped the ball away. Nose tackle Andrew Hoffman had a chance to scoop it up
but whiffed. That left Canty, who recovered the ball and ran 45 yards for an
apparent touchdown.
But after conferring, the officials ruled a whistle had been blown. The replay
clearly showed that Hall was still on his feet and inbounds when Curry knocked
the ball loose.
MR. AUTOMATIC. With his 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, Connor Hughes
became the first player in school history to make to kicks of at least 50 yards
in the same season. Hughes, a sophomore from Williamsburg's Lafayette High, made
a 53-yarder against Wake Forest.
Rivers, Schaub in duel
By Dave Johnson
Daily Press
Published November 2, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The talk all week centered around the individual matchup at
quarterback. Neither Philip Rivers nor Matt Schaub did anything to disappoint
Saturday.
Rivers, whose season has been Heisman-worthy, completed 29-of-34 passes for 410
yards and four touchdowns. He hit on his first 17 passes before throwing the
ball away to stop the clock on the next-to-last play of the first half. Schaub
completed 41-of-55 for a school-record 393 yards and four touchdowns.
"I think these two players both showed that at this stage of their careers,
they're both too good for college football," Virginia coach Al Groh said.
Rivers completed passes to nine different receivers, Schaub to eight.
It had to be especially sweet for Rivers, who in his 46-game career had not
thrown a touchdown pass against Virginia. He came close last fall, when his
last-second throw to the end zone was broken up to seal the Cavaliers' 14-9
victory.
"For the type of game we were in, fighting to be the second-best team in the
league, I thought Philip really stepped up," State coach Chuck Amato said. "He
hadn't thrown a touchdown pass in the first three games against Virginia, but he
got it today. And when he got started up, he was a pistol."
To add to his already long list of superlatives, Rivers became the first
quarterback in ACC history to throw for at least 3,000 yards in three seasons.
BOWL STUFF. Well, it's that time of the year again. Halloween's over and bowl
representatives are coming out.
The Peach Bowl had two representatives in Carter-Finley Stadium. The Peach also
scouted Clemson-Wake Forest and North Carolina-Maryland Saturday.
"It's a three-week playoff," said Gary Stokan, the game's executive director,
"and they all play each other."
OK, the Peach being here makes sense. But the Orange Bowl? The Orange, need you
be reminded, is a Bowl Championship Series game.
"A lot of strange stuff can happen in college football," Orange Bowl committee
member Clark Cook said. "We just want to be seen and let these teams know that
we will be interested if things work out."
BALL DISRUPTION THAT WASN'T. Groh constantly preaches the need for creating
turnovers. Cornerback Almondo Curry and defensive end Chris Canty made a big
play for Virginia in the second half, but it didn't count.
On a second-and-6, Rivers hit Tramain Hall for a first down right in front of
the Cavaliers' bench. As Hall fought for more yardage, Curry reached in and
stripped the ball away. Nose tackle Andrew Hoffman had a chance to scoop it up
but whiffed. That left Canty, who recovered the ball and ran 45 yards for an
apparent touchdown.
But after conferring, the officials ruled a whistle had been blown. The replay
clearly showed that Hall was still on his feet and inbounds when Curry knocked
the ball loose.
MR. AUTOMATIC. With his 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, Connor Hughes
became the first player in school history to make to kicks of at least 50 yards
in the same season. Hughes, a sophomore from Williamsburg's
Lafayette High, made a 53-yarder against Wake Forest.
'What a fun game'
By AL FEATHERSTON : The Herald-Sun
afeatherston@heraldsun.com
Nov 1, 2003 : 11:39 pm ET
RALEIGH -- Matt Schaub was magnificent Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.
But Philip Rivers was just a little bit better.
And N.C. State's brilliant quarterback had a weapon that Schaub couldn't match
-- sophomore tailback T.A. McLendon. It was McLendon who made the greatest game
of Rivers' great career a winning one, racing 38 yards up the gut of Virginia's
defense for the decisive touchdown in N.C. State's 51-37 victory over the
Cavaliers.
"It was a great game to be a part of ... definitely one of the top games that
I've played in," Rivers said. "This game was just like a three and half hour
scrimmage. Just back and forth. It was like we knew those guys. They're a classy
team.
"What a fun game ... one of the funnest games I've played in."
It was a game that N.C. State (7-3, 4-2 ACC) needed to win to stay in the hunt
for a quality bowl and for a second-place finish in the ACC. Virginia (5-4, 3-3
ACC) dropped off the pace with the narrow loss.
"I thought both teams made the same plays for 58 minutes," Virginia coach Al
Groh said. "State made the plays they needed to make in the final minutes to win
the ballgame."
Until McLendon trampled Virginia's hopes, the game was a showcase between Schaub
-- last year's ACC player of the year -- and Rivers -- the most prolific passer
in ACC history.
"There were two of the best quarterbacks in America out there," N.C. State coach
Chuck Amato said. "Two outstanding quarterbacks and one that was really
outstanding."
Schaub picked the Wolfpack defense apart for most of the game, hitting 41 of 55
passes for 393 yards and four touchdowns. He didn't make a mistake until the
final seconds, when -- after McLendon had put the Pack on top -- he had to
gamble and had a pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Wolfpack
safety Victor Stephens.
But even without that last-second turnover, Schaub wasn't quite as good as
Rivers. The Wolfpack senior connected on his first 17 pass attempts and finished
the game hitting 29 of 34 attempts for 410 yards and four touchdowns -- with no
sacks or nothing close to an interception. At least two of his five
incompletions were passes he threw away intentionally.
Afterward, Rivers admitted that it might have been the finest performance of his
four-year career.
"I'm going to be picky about certain little things, but as a whole I felt as
good as I've felt out there playing ... being on rhythm," he said. "That can
come within me, but a lot of it is what our line's doing and our receivers are
doing, that feeds and makes me better."
He pointed out that McLendon's contribution also is a factor in his success. Not
only did Rivers throw 11 times (for 104 yards) to his bullish tailback, but
McLendon's 112 yards rushing also opened up the play-action for Rivers.
"We were so two-dimensional today," Rivers said. "That's when we're at our
best."
The run set up such pass plays as Rivers' 33-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho
Cotchery in the second quarter and his 75-yard touchdown throw to tight end T.J.
Williams in the third.
And the Pack's success throwing the ball, set up the run -- especially the trap
play that produced McLendon's game-winning jaunt.
"It was a perfect call," Rivers said. "The reason why was because we were
throwing it out to T.A. wide, throwing it out to T.A. wide in that same set.
They were starting to get them all out there. They only had five in the box. And
he busted it right out of there."
There were 23 seconds left to play when McLendon crossed the goal line, snapping
a 37-all tie. Stephens' interception return for a touchdown with eight seconds
to play merely was the clincher.
"To cap it off with a senior intercepting a pass ... that is just outstanding,"
Amato said.
It also helped point out that despite the damage Schaub did, the Wolfpack
defense had its moments. The Pack scored two defensive touchdowns -- freshman
Garland Heath recovered a fumbled snap in the end zone for the game's first
score -- and contained Virginia's running game.
The Wolfpack defense also stopped Virginia after two N.C. State turnovers and
three times stopped drives deep and forced Connor Hughes to kick field goals.
Still, the game belonged to the two offenses -- and especially to the two senior
quarterbacks. A year ago, Rivers just missed a game-winning touchdown pass on
the game's final play, and he walked off the field at Scott Stadium a loser.
This time Schaub had to endure the loss.
"On a personal note, I told him that neither one of us deserved to lose the
game," Rivers said. "He had a great game. It ended on a bad note for him. I know
I'm not playing with him, but he's a fun guy to play against. It's great
competition. This is what you play college football for."
NOTES -- It was the 33rd win that Rivers has started in his career -- the most
for a quarterback in ACC history. He also became the first quarterback in ACC
history to top 3,000 yards passing in three seasons. He had his fifth 400-yard
game, tying for the most in ACC history. ... McLendon became the first player in
Wolfpack history to have 100-plus yards rushing and 100-plus yards receiving in
the same game. ... Three Pack players scored their first career touchdowns,
including former Southern Vance star Chris Hawkins, who caught a 34-yard
touchdown pass in the first quarter, Heath and fullback Chance Moyer. n Cotchery
had the 12th 100-yard receiving game of his career. ... Virginia lost a
potential touchdown in the second quarter, when a Tramain Hall fumble was erased
by an inadvertent whistle.
Caught in the trap
By FRANK DASCENZO : The Herald-Sun
fdascenzo@heraldsun.com
Nov 2, 2003 : 1:00 am ET
RALEIGH -- It was a trap, or at least that's what Chuck Amato called it. Right,
one of those mundane up-the-middle runs football fans see all the time. The
quarterback gives the tailback a harmless handoff and, before you know it,
somebody on the other team has arms all over him.
Two-yard gain. Maybe three. Ho hum.
But hold on now because this was something special, something that exhilarated
the entire Carter-Finley Stadium late Saturday afternoon.
This was a second-and-10 from the Virginia 38-yard line in the final minute of a
breathtaking game you hated to see end.
N.C. State and the Cavaliers were all tied up at 37-37, and Amato said it looked
for awhile like a chess match with brilliant signal callers named Philip Rivers
in red and Matt Schaub in white matching touchdown passes like some geniuses
eyeing each other's moves from across an ivory table.
Amato watched, and so, collectively, did his red nation as Rivers flipped the
football to Tristian Akeen McLendon, the oft-injured super running back every
Wolfpacker wishes could stay healthy.
McLendon is the bishop on a chessboard, diagonally weaving and criss-crossing.
Watch him long enough, and you might see a blur. Stare at him, and you will
notice the strong legs, churning and churning as would-be tacklers attempt to
stop him. Virginians will hate looking at this on film.
So here is where we have arrived. Amato and his buddy Al Groh, across the field
coaching the Wahoos, in a game both desperately want to win are watching the
Wolfpack come out of the huddle.
Rivers, who had received the best protection ever by his superb offensive line,
got the ball to No. 44. Tristian Akeen McLendon bolted through the line, got a
pancake block from freshman guard Leroy Harris, broke a couple of Cavaliers
tackles and jolted untouched into the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown run that
might as well have sealed N.C. State's place in the upper echelon of the ACC.
N.C. State beat the Cavaliers 51-37. Schaub threw four touchdown passes, and
Rivers threw four touchdown passes. But McLendon -- 112 yards rushing, 104
receiving -- gave the Wolfpack a weapon that power teams are made of. He ran
with stability. He caught with the same. And when the game ended, there wasn't
any doubt about the might of this Wolfpack team with a healthy No. 44.
"I really thought I could cross the goal line once I got a couple of good
blocks," McLendon said. "The hole was there, but our line really made it happen.
They blocked well the entire day, not just on that [last] play."
McLendon battled a bruised knee, a hamstring and torn cartilage. Amato knows
what a wonderful world it is when his best running back is healthy and can keep
defenses honest.
"I didn't know at mid-week how much I'd be able to play," McLendon said. "Once I
got out there, though, I felt pretty good. Philip called a great game, read
their defense very well. Our wide receivers were terrific, and so was our
offensive line."
Give Amato credit for preparing his team to win what most of us figured would be
a close and exciting game, one that was ridiculously important considering that
the Wolfpack has an open date and must travel to Florida State in two weeks.
"It was a fabulous game," Amato said. "It was a trap to T.A. And it's not like
the red sea opened up. He broke a tackle or two, and there were some blue and
orange hitting him. It's good to have him back.''
McLendon's strength freezes a defense one minute, then melts it the next. The
Cavaliers were never sure if the 5-11 sophomore was coming straight at them or
juking his way to the right, then bolting left for a first down.
"T.A. was fabulous, but the guys up front, collectively, were the best I've seen
since I've been here," Rivers said.
The Cavaliers never sacked Rivers. They forced him to deviate from the pocket
some but couldn't get a hand on him. More than anything, that shows how good the
Wolfpack offensive line played.
Amato might have proven his value to his alma mater before this kickoff -- he
was 32-15 going into the game -- but this was one he didn't want to drop. Split
with FSU and Maryland (Rivers' last home game), and the Wolfpack will have eight
wins, which should be good enough for a good bowl. Not surprising was the fact
the Peach Bowl had some people in the press box smiling wildly after this one
ended.
McLendon gave the Wolfpack an edge the Cavaliers ultimately couldn't overcome.
His rehab during the week included riding the bike, fighting the swelling in a
knee and wondering what the first hit would feel like.
"The last run? It probably was a big-time run, but this was all about a big-time
win, and I didn't do it by myself," McLendon said.
While that's true, consider that McLendon's game opened up so much more for
Rivers, the wide receivers and the offensive line's capabilities of pass
blocking and run blocking.
Considering that Rivers hadn't thrown a touchdown pass against the Cavaliers in
three previous games, the four he threw were especially satisfying.
"Philip was in the zone," McLendon said. "I mean, when he gets that look in his
eye, you know he's not going to be on the losing team. We felt we'd be able to
move the ball on them, throwing it and running it. Virginia's a good team and it
really wasn't until really late in this game that we were able to win."
Amato said he and Groh are both trying to build programs. Both have proven very
good at that. Amato's team lost a close one at Charlottesville last season,
14-9, and won a close one this season. Who could be surprised if this series
remains this close in the future?
The problem is Schaub and Rivers won't be here. But if McLendon is here, the fun
will be too.
It's Rivers over Schaub, by a nose
By CAULTON TUDOR, Staff Writer
RALEIGH--My guess is it's not over between Philip Rivers and Matt Schaub.
These two classic and entirely classy quarterbacks will meet again some day,
possibly several days, in the future.
On some football field to be determined later, Rivers will be out there
directing -- directing, heck, semi-coaching is more like it -- one NFL team.
Schaub will be running the show for the opposition.
If there's any justice, they'll both be rich and happy. They'll be doing what
they do best -- quarterbacking -- and still just as worried about the numbers on
the scoreboard as those printed on their bank statements.
But if you were among the 53,800 emotionally drained souls in Carter-Finley
Stadium on Saturday, or had the good judgment to watch on regional television,
you know the Rivers-vs.-Schaub saga will never get any better.
"At this stage of their careers, they're too good for college football," said
Virginia coach Al Groh, a former head coach at the next level.
Without doubt, the two seniors were too good for the opposing defenses. En route
to a 51-37 win, Rivers piled up 410 passing yards and four touchdowns for N.C.
State. Schaub threw for 393 yards (a school record) and four TDs.
"I've never seen anything like that from two quarterbacks," said Wolfpack
catcher Jerricho Cotchery. "Wow!"
But every confrontation, like games, has a winner and this one went to Rivers.
In his final shot at the Cavaliers, Rivers began his afternoon by completing 17
straight passes. He would throw 17 more times as the game progressed, completing
29 with no interceptions.
"It felt good," Rivers said. "That game was why you have to love college
football. At the same time, I know how much Matt wanted to win, too. But it was
just a great game to be a part of."
With lots of help from his receivers, tailback T.A. McLendon and an aggressive,
inspired offensive line, Rivers had the sharpest day of his statistically
surreal career.
"Give him just a little time, and Phil's going to be beat any defense he faces,"
Cotchery said. "Today, that line gave him the time and he made every second of
it count."
It was the sort of performance both parties -- Rivers and his team -- needed.
The Wolfpack, now 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the ACC, no longer has to worry about
spending the holidays in Boise, Idaho. With this win, they can start thinking
about the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., or the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
For Rivers, the door is now open to the ACC player of the year.
It's not entirely a lock, of course. Rivers can't go to Florida State on Nov. 15
and have a meltdown against the Seminoles and their quarterback, Chris Rix. And
obviously, he can't shoot a dud against Maryland on Nov. 22 in his final game in
Carter-Finley.
But if the Pack can go 1-1 in the remaining games, and if Rivers can stay
reasonably on target, the top-player award that Schaub won a year ago should be
there for the taking.
And given the play of McLendon against the Wahoos, who knows? If he can stay
healthy, and if the Pack's defense can find a way to play a little better, a
third straight win over Florida State might be possible. With Rivers and
Cotchery, there's every possibility that the Pack will score a few points.
For Schaub and Virginia (5-4, 3-3), the rest of the season is less certain.
Still to come are three difficult games against Maryland, Georgia Tech and
Virginia Tech. It's not out of the question that the Cavs could miss the
postseason entirely.
But with Schaub, there's also the chance for a 3-0 run. He is that good, and the
odds are against confronting another quarterback as hot as Rivers was Saturday.
At game's end, Schaub and Rivers found each other near midfield.
"We said 'good job,' knowing that neither of us deserved to lose that game,"
Schaub said.
Schaub was right to a degree. In a way, it was like Roger Clemens against Randy
Johnson on their best days. But as in baseball, there eventually was a winner in
this football game. The winner, by a nose, was Rivers.
VA. NOTES
Richmond Times-Dispatch Nov 2, 2003
ON THE RECEIVING END: On a day when Virginia senior Matt Schaub passed for a
school-best 393 yards in a 51-37 loss to N.C. State, it was no surprise that
many of his targets set personal marks.
Sophomore tailback Wali Lundy had three touchdown receptions. Not since wideout
Tyrone Davis caught three touchdown passes against Navy in 1994 had a Cavalier
had that many.
Sophomore tailback Alvin Pearman's 37 receptions (for 272 yards) in his past
three games are the most by a U.Va. player in a three-game stretch. He had 13
catches for 87 yards yesterday.
Senior wideout Ryan Sawyer's 98 yards receiving were a career high. Schaub and
Sawyer teamed on a 63-yard pass, Virginia's longest play from scrimmage this
season.
Sophomore Marcus Hagans, a reserve wideout who also backs up Schaub at
quarterback, had seven receptions for 67 yards, both career highs. Hagans also
returned three punts for 48 yards, with a long of 23.
Sophomore Heath Miller had four catches yesterday, giving him 46 for the season,
a record for a U.Va. tight end.
Schaub has thrown for least 200 yards in each of his past six games, a Virginia
record. He has passed for 300 or more yards three times this year, tying U.Va.'s
single-season mark.
LIGHTING IT UP: After passing for 410 yards yesterday, N.C. State senior Philip
Rivers' season total is up to 3,318.
That makes him the first quarterback in ACC history to have thrown for at least
3,000 yards three times in his career and only the seventh player in NCAA
history to do so. He passed for 3,054 yards as a freshman in 2000 and 3,353 as a
junior.
"It was a great game today," said Rivers, who completed his first 17 passes,
"definitely one of the top games I've played here at N.C. State."
Schaub and Rivers combined to complete 70 of 89 passes for 803 yards and eight
touchdowns. Schaub threw the game's only interception.
Both quarterbacks, Virginia coach Al Groh said, showed that at this stage of
their careers they're "too good for college football."
EXTRA INCENTIVE: Wolfpack tailback T.A. McLendon (knee) was listed as doubtful
early in the week. But he said he desperately wanted to play yesterday against
U.Va. sophomore defenders Ahmad Brooks, Kai Parham and Kwakou Robinson. The four
of them had been teammates at a high school all-star game in San Antonio, Texas.
McLendon, who scored the go-ahead touchdown with 23 seconds left yesterday, has
missed three full games this season because of injuries.
"I'm tired of sitting out," he said, "and basically I just wanted to come out
and play my game today."
SERIES BREAK: The ACC's football schedules for 2004 and 2005 may have to be
revised, depending on when Boston College joins the conference. As it stands
now, however, Virginia and N.C. State won't meet either season. The last year
they did not play each other was 1976.
BIG FOOT: When he booted a 52-yarder in the second quarter, sophomore Connor
Hughes became the first kicker in U.Va. history to have made two field goals of
at least 50 yards in a season. He kicked a career-long 53 yarder Sept. 27 in a
comeback win over Wake Forest.
LOOKING AHEAD: Representatives from the Peach and Orange bowls scouted
yesterday's game at Carter-Finley Stadium. For years a fixture on New Year's
Eve, the Peach has a new date, Jan. 2. The game will match an ACC team against
an SEC foe in Atlanta. Virginia has played in the Peach three times, most
recently in 1998, when it lost 35-33 to Georgia.
NEW LOOK: Ian-Yates Cunningham, a true freshman from Plano, Texas, replaced
sophomore Brian Barthelmes at left offensive guard for U.Va.. Barthelmes came
down with food poisoning Thursday night, Groh said, and was too weak to play.
WATCHING FROM HOME: Among the Cavaliers who didn't make the trip to Raleigh was
junior tight end Patrick Estes and freshman safety Kenneth Tynes. Estes hasn't
played since hurting his right knee Oct. 18 against Florida State.
UP NEXT: Virginia is idle next weekend. The Cavaliers (3-3, 5-4) next play Nov.
13, when they visit Maryland (3-2, 6-3) for a Thursday night contest that ESPN
will televise. The Terrapins crushed North Carolina yesterday in College Park,
Md.
A season ago at Scott Stadium, U.Va. stunned 18th-ranked Maryland, rolling to a
48-13 victory. - Jeff White
Injured back a pain to Cavs
McLendon's late TD breaks a tie and helps N.C. State foil Virginia
BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Nov 2, 2003
N.C. STATE 51 VIRGINIA 37
RALEIGH, N.C. - Virginia's Matt Schaub passed for a school-record 393 yards,
N.C. State's Philip Rivers was nearly perfect, and each of those stellar senior
quarterbacks threw for four touchdowns. An oft-injured running back, though,
supplied perhaps the game's biggest play.
On Wednesday, Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato said it was "very, very, very doubtful"
that sophomore T.A. McLendon, who's had arthroscopic knee surgery twice in the
past 16 days, would play against the Cavaliers. McLendon not only played, he
dealt a severe blow to U.Va.'s hopes of finishing second in the ACC.
On second and 10, McLendon rumbled 38 yards for a touchdown to break a tie with
23 seconds left, and then N.C. State added a defensive score to beat Virginia
51-37 before a sellout crowd of 53,800 at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"I thought both teams really had about the same game for 58 minutes," Cavaliers
coach Al Groh said. "Unfortunately in the last two minutes, State made more
plays than we did."
N.C. State (4-2, 7-3) amassed 553 yards of offense, the most U.Va. (3-3, 5-4)
has allowed this season. The 51 points were the most the Wahoos have surrendered
in three seasons under Groh.
Two of the Wolfpack's touchdowns came at the expense of Virginia's offense. On
the first, senior center Kevin Bailey's shotgun snap sailed over Schaub's head
and into the end zone, where State's Garland Heath pounced on the ball less than
5 minutes into the game. The second came when safety Victor Stephens intercepted
Schaub's final pass and returned it 26 yards for a TD with 8 seconds left.
Rivers, the ACC's all-time leading passer, completed his first 17 attempts and
finished 29 of 34 for 410 yards and four TDs. He never had thrown a TD pass
against U.Va. before yesterday, but he ended that slump with a vengeance. Rivers
wasn't sacked and rarely felt pressure in the pocket.
"It's very frustrating," freshman cornerback Marcus Hamilton said, "because he
just picks you apart out there."
In addition to his usual assortment of short throws, Rivers threw TD passes of
33, 34 and 75 yards. His final touchdown pass was a 3-yarder to fullback Chance
Moyer.
"He was sharp, wasn't he?" Virginia defensive end Chris Canty said.
The Wolfpack stretched its winning streak to four games and took over second
place in the ACC. Virginia lost for the third time in four games.
"Our players gave valiant efforts, but you just have to make more plays at the
end of the game," said sophomore tailback Alvin Pearman, who caught 13 passes
for 87 yards in a game in which U.Va. netted only 50 yards rushing.
"That's what it all comes down to. You just have to be ready to play at the end
of the fourth quarter, and we really didn't."
McLendon, last season's ACC rookie of the year, finished with 121 yards on 18
carries. He also caught 11 passes for 104 yards. Amato's midweek comments aside,
Groh said he expected McLendon to play.
"He was very, very doubtful" when State visited U.Va. last year, too, Groh said.
"He's a warrior kid, and those kind of kids show up on these kind of days."
The Cavaliers had pulled even with 6:29 left when Schaub, on fourth and 2,
tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tailback Wali Lundy. The TD
reception was the third of the game for Lundy. Sophomore Connor Hughes, who
booted three field goals, added the extra point to make it 37-37.
U.Va.'s defense made precious few plays against Rivers yesterday, but linebacker
Darryl Blackstock harassed him into throwing a third-down incompletion on the
ensuing drive, and Austin Herbert came on to punt from the Pack 35. Virginia
appeared to have moved tantalizingly close to Hughes' range when Marques Hagans
returned Herbert's punt to around midfield.
But Hamilton was penalized for a block in the back on the return - his
infraction came when Hagans was well past him - and Virginia had to start at its
27. On second down, Schaub was sacked, and Tom Hagan ended up punting from the
Cavs' 34.
"We say to the players all the team, it's not just how many penalties you get,
it's when you get them," Groh said. "That play I won't say changed the game, but
it certainly had an influence on how the remainder of the game was played."
Schaub, the reigning ACC player of the year, completed 41 of 55 attempts and
threw TD passes of 20, 11 and 7 yards to Lundy and a 17-yarder to senior wideout
Ryan Sawyer. Schaub's 41 completions tied the school record he set at Georgia
Tech last season.
"I thought obviously Matt had one of his best games ever," Groh said.