The Daily Bull would like to congratulate paid-up subscribers William Fralin and Chris Saxman on their successful re-election campaigns yesterday to the Virginia House of Representatives.

Cavs not looking past Jackets
By Jay Jenkins / Daily Progress staff writer
November 9, 2005

In just 11 days, for the first time ever, Virginia will host rival Virginia Tech in an Atlantic Coast Conference football game.
Given the intensity of the rivalry, the postseason ramifications and the emotion of a home finale, it would be easy for senior quarterback Marques Hagans and his teammates to start looking ahead. Not so the signal caller said - first things are first.
“All we have been talking about is Georgia Tech,” Hagans said. “And then we will deal with the rest of the schedule when we get to it.”
Virginia (5-3, 2-3 ACC) plays No. 24 Georgia Tech (6-2, 4-2) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
The remainder of the schedule includes the eighth-ranked Hokies and a road date with No. 3 Miami. Since those two teams squared off Saturday night in Blacksburg, Hagans admitted that he snuck in a few peeks of the Hurricanes’
27-7 win.
“I am pretty sure everybody in America watched that game,” Hagans chuckled.
While his eyes wandered, Hagans said he had his mind on the Yellow Jackets, a team mathematically alive in the Coastal Division title race.
“We’re not looking forward to none of the games coming up,” Hagans said. “We are just looking forward to [Georgia Tech] right now.”
And for good reason - despite being a five-point underdog on Saturday, Georgia Tech is “a pretty darn good” football team, Al Groh said.
“They’ve got a good defense that pressures the quarterback, that’s good on third down, that doesn’t give up very many rushing yards,” Virginia’s coach added. “That usually makes for a pretty good defense.
“They’ve got a good running game, with a really good back [P.J. Daniels]. They’ve got a good quarterback [Reggie Ball]. They’ve got a really good receiver [Calvin Johnson], and they’ve got a really good punter [Ben Ardnt].”
What more could you ask for? Groh said not much.
“I think if you passed around a blank piece of paper to most coaches on August 1 and asked them to create a little bit of a shopping list of things they’d like to be good at, that would pretty much check all of the boxes off,” Groh said. “And, so that’s why I say they’re good. And they’re blanket good. They’re good in all phases.”
The Yellow Jackets have won three straight games, turning around a season that had back-to-back bumps in the road - they lost 51-7 at Virginia Tech on Sept. 24 and at home to N.C. State, 17-14, on Oct. 6.

ONE AT A TIME. Given the success that tailback Wali Lundy (113 yards) and fullback Jason Snelling (126) had against Temple, it would make sense, at least on paper, to get both in the same backfield at the same time.
Like ESPN analyst Lee Corso says, “Not so fast my friend.”
“Actually, both of them got most of their yardage in the one-back sets, primarily because that’s what we were in a great majority of the time [against Temple],” Groh said. “Jason’s versatility, because of his turns at fullback, do give us the opportunity to do that, but ... right now, we’re planning to utilize him more as a carry-the-ball guy.”
That hasn’t always been an option for Groh and offensive coordinator Ron Prince. Snelling, a junior, entered the Temple game with 13 carries for 88 yards on the season, numbers that were lowered by health issues that have plagued the fullback over the past three years.
“I think that’ll be his primary function here for a while,” said Groh, “provided we can maintain the practice preparation that has been the case here for the last week and a half.”

BETTER DAYS FOR BROOKS. Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks was named a preseason All-American, an honor he will surely miss out on when the postseason awards are given.
Brooks, a junior, has played in just four games and did not register his first sack of the season until the Temple game on Saturday.
“I don’t think he’s at quite the same level that he was last year at this stage,” Groh said. “Basically his season has been about 14 days of practice and three games. I think it would be difficult for any linebacker to suddenly jump in at his previous level, much less a developing linebacker.
“It’s not like he’s an eight-year veteran. He’s still developing.”
In the Cavaliers’ last three games, with Brooks in the starting lineup at inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, opponents are averaging just 2.9 yards per rushing attempt.
“Well, certainly, [having Brooks at ILB] has been a help. That’s his spot,” Groh said. “He’s a run-stopping player. And, he’s not just an in-the-middle player. He’s got the range to get to the outside on both sides of the ball. That’s what he really brings to the position, and that’s why he’s so good in the middle.”
Brooks played outside linebacker for three quarters in his season debut at Maryland (Oct. 1), before he sprained his ankle. He could excel on the outside, Groh said, but it would be limiting Brooks’ impact.
“He’s got skills that he could be an outside guy, if that’s where you wanted to put him, but that kind of reduces the field by 50 percent to what he can get to,” Groh added. “So, there are some guys that can be suited to one or the other, but he could be suited to either, but I think obviously, we think he’s best suited to where he is, because you can just get maximum plays out of him.”

INJURY UPDATE. If any of Virginia’s players, injured or otherwise, aren’t able to play on Saturday, Groh isn’t making it public knowledge.
When asked if any of the players were ruled out for the Georgia Tech game, Groh said: “I guess they’d have to have a cast on their leg to be eliminated right now. It’s a little early to say.”
A number of Cavaliers are nursing injuries, including wideout Deyon Williams, tailbacks Michael Johnson and Cedric Peerman, tight ends Jonathan Stupar and Tom Santi and guard Marshal Ausberry.
 

Brooks still yet to show old form
By Doug Doughty
981-3129
The Roanoke Times

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- For Virginia's football team to be at its peak for the three games that remain in the regular season, it would help to have the Ahmad Brooks who made first-team All-ACC and was a Butkus Award finalist in 2004.

To date, the Cavaliers have seen only flashes of that player.

"I don't think he's at quite the same level that he was last year at this stage," said UVa coach Al Groh, whose Cavaliers (5-3, 2-3 ACC) entertain No. 24 Georgia Tech (6-2, 4-2) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

"Basically, his season has been about 14 days of practice and three games, so it would be different for any linebacker to jump in and suddenly perform at previous levels, much less a developing linebacker. That is, it's not like he's an eight-year veteran."

Brooks had a total of 207 tackles in his first two seasons, an average of more than eight per game. He recorded his first sack of the season Saturday in a 51-3 victory over Temple but that was the only tackle for which he received credit.

Brooks actually has played in four games, although he was out of position in his debut Oct. 1 at Maryland, where he played outside linebacker. He was injured in the third quarter of that game, did not travel to Boston College the next week, then returned at inside linebacker Oct. 15 at Florida State.

Brooks' running mate at inside linebacker, Kai Parham, has a team-high 67 tackles in 533 plays. Brooks, in comparison, has been on the field for 161 plays and has 13 tackles.

Brooks had offseason surgery to remove a cyst that was restricting blood flow behind his kneecap and it is possible he might not return to his 2004 form, Groh conceded.

"I wouldn't want to rule it out," Groh said. "We're going to need everybody at the top of his game, this week in particular, and then we'll see what the next weeks bring."

Brooks was projected as a likely first-round draft pick when he elected to return for his junior year. Multiple Web sites still list him as a possible top-10 pick this year.

n NFLdraftcountdown.com projects UVa offensive lineman D'Brickashaw Ferguson as the No. 3 pick in the draft behind Southern Cal's Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, but in the bios for Ferguson and Brooks, whom it rates 11th, there is no mention of the early season injuries.

Foot specialists

Connor Hughes, who is 16-for-19 on field goals this season, became the 10th player in ACC history to score 300 points in his career. Hughes, with 306, can climb as high as third with 20 more points but is unlikely to catch No. 1 Nick Novak (393) or No. 2 Xavier Beitia (375).

Kurt Smith, who turned over placement duties to Hughes late in the 2002 season, kicked off nine times Saturday. Seven were not returned, giving him an ACC-high 30 touchbacks for the seasons, and an eighth, booted from the 20 following a penalty, reached the end zone.

On UVa's 10th kickoff of the day, Groh let Hughes show his leg and his kickoff went 7 yards deep in the end zone. The Cavaliers lead the ACC in kickoff coverage and are the only ACC team whose opponents' average starting point is inside the 20.

Out of nowhere

When it used a dime package Saturday that featured six defensive backs in obvious passing situations, UVa unveiled redshirt freshman Byron Glaspy from Basking Ridge, N.J., at one of the safety spots.

In most cases where UVa walk-ons have gained a position of prominence, they have been recruited walk-ons who are invited to join the team in August. Glaspy did not join the team until the second semester of his first year and, while he has a bio in the UVa media guide, it is not accompanied by a photo.

Injury report

Groh confirmed that sophomore tight end Tom Santi, whose 16.7 yards per catch is tops by a UVa receiver with as many as 10 catches, injured a hip on a 40-yard second-quarter reception that ended his day prematurely.

Santi earlier had been hurt on a 35-yard touchdown reception that left him coughing up blood and knocked him out of the Sept. 24 game with Duke.

"There was a guy a few years ago who wrote a book called, 'Throw me the damn ball,' " said Groh, who coached that player, Keyshawn Johnson, with the New York Jets. "We might write the opposite of that."

 

U.Va. secondary facing a primary challenge
By ED MILLER, The Virginian-Pilot
© November 9, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE — He’s 6-foot-4. No, he’s 6-5. His vertical jump measures 40 inches. No, it’s 43. He burns through 40 yards in 4.4 seconds. Wait, isn’t it 4.35?

The legend of Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson grows with each retelling.

“He’s everybody’s nightmare,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said.

This week, Johnson, probably the most feared player in the ACC, is Virginia’s problem. The Cavaliers host No. 24 Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Each week, coaches inflate ordinary opponents into All-Americans, pumping them with praise. They’ve cast Johnson, a legitimate All-American, in almost mythic terms.

“Last year, Johnson single-handedly dismantled us,” Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said before playing Georgia Tech Oct. 29.

The player who inspires these rhetorical flights of fancy actually stands 6-4 and weighs 225 pounds. His 40 time is not published in the Georgia Tech literature but he’s plenty fast. His vertical leap is also not public knowledge but no one seems to jump higher when a ball’s in the air.

The stickiness of his hands can’t be quantified, but his Spider-man grab of a Reggie Ball pass last year — he reached back and one-handed an errant throw — was dubbed by ESPN as the No. 2 play of the year in college football.

This year, Johnson, a sophomore, leads the ACC in receiving yards per game (90.6) and is second in receptions per game (5.0). In his two-year career, the yardstick has moved 18 yards, on average, each time he catches the ball.

“I’ve seen him make a lot of plays over the last two years when there’s not much to tell the defensive back, other than to console him,” Virginia coach Al Groh said.

Johnson’s height, hands, and leaping ability make him the toughest cover in the league, opponents say. “He’s a guy that even if you cover him well is likely to go up and take the ball away from you,” Grobe said.

Said Bowden: “There are a lot of 5-11 or 6-foot guys that can make big plays, but they can’t make the big plays he can.”

Johnson rarely encounters a defensive back who can look him in the eye and he rarely sees just one at a time. Most teams use double coverage.

Wake did a commendable job against Johnson, who said the Deacons played more single coverage on him than any other team. Still, he hauled in four balls for 98 yards.

“Calvin only got four catches for 100 yards,” Groh mused. “It would take a lot of running plays to churn out 100 yards.”

Johnson caught five passes for 108 yards against Virginia last year, but the Cavaliers kept him out of the end zone. Cornerback Marcus Hamilton intercepted two passes in the end zone in the 30-10 U.Va. win.

Groh is understandably not eager to divulge his strategy for dealing with Johnson this Saturday, but it would be a surprise if Hamilton, the team’s best cover man, is not glued to his side. At 5-11, Hamilton is 5 inches shorter than Johnson, but he’s 3 inches taller than Virginia’s other starting corner, true freshman Mike Brown.

Asked how he’d avoid a Mutt and Jeff match-up of Johnson vs. Brown on Saturday, Groh joked that it was easy enough.

“Make sure they go to opposite sides of the field.”

The problem, of course, is that Johnson won’t sit still. Asked how he’d cover Johnson, Georgia Tech receiver Damarius Bilbo said he wasn’t sure. But he wouldn’t live as dangerously as Wake Forest did.

“I don’t think that was a good coaching move,” he told a Georgia newspaper. “I wouldn’t have done it.”

 

Hagans prepares Cavs for Ga. Tech
By Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
November 9, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Reggie Ball's mobility shouldn't surprise the Virginia defense. The Cavaliers have seen it during practice all season long.
Georgia Tech's Ball might be one of the more mobile quarterbacks in the country, but so is UVa's Marques Hagans.

"It kind of seems as if we've seen Ball eight times already this year," Virginia head coach Al Groh said. "We've got images in our mind of what can happen with a quarterback like that. ? At least they don't have to dream it up and then go into the game and realize, 'Wow, he's a lot faster than I thought he was going to be.'

"If they can at least use Marques as a benchmark, then they shouldn't be surprised with the speed with which (Ball) escapes."

Hagans (226 yards, 3 TDs) and Ball (219 yards, 3 TDs) rank second and third, respectively, in the ACC in rushing yards by a quarterback to Virginia Tech's Marcus Vick (326 yards, 4 TDs).

When it comes to elusiveness, Virginia players give the nod to Hagans.

"I don't think there's anybody quite as elusive as Marques," UVa defensive end Chris Long said. "In practice sometimes you think you have a sack and you just tag him and say, 'I got you.' And he just runs away. He would have gotten away anyway."

"They can't touch me," Hagans joked, looking in defensive end Brennan Schmidt's direction. "I think they know that."

Increased workload

With question marks surrounding the availability of tailbacks Michael Johnson (ankle) and Cedric Peerman (knee), fullback Jason Snelling could see more carries as a primary tailback behind starter Wali Lundy.

Johnson did not dress against Temple and Peerman sprained his knee blocking on a punt return in the first quarter, thrusting Snelling into a more prominent role. Snelling, a junior who has battled injuries his entire career, responded with career highs in carries (17), yards (126) and touchdowns (2), primarily out of a one-back set last week against Temple.

Groh said Snelling, who is listed as the No. 2 tailback on the depth chart, will be used more as a "carry-the-ball guy" out of a one-back set this week.

"He's feeling very good about himself," Groh said. "Not just because of the results, but in general, just feeling good about himself."

Peerman, though not listed on the depth chart, did play some snaps on Monday.

Injuries aplenty

Either Ian-Yates Cunningham or Marshal Ausberry will start at right guard. Cunningham, who missed all of 2004 after back surgery, started his first game since the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl last Saturday, filling in for Ausberry, who is dealing with both knee and ankle injuries.

Tight end Jonathan Stupar, who did not dress last week because of an ankle injury, is listed atop the depth chart.

Tom Santi, a fullback/tight end, hurt his ankle on a 40-yard catch after falling awkwardly in the second quarter against Temple. It's the second time this season he's been banged up after a catch. Against Duke, Santi fell on the ball after a touchdown, hurt his chest and spit up blood after returning to the sideline.

"There was a guy who wrote a book: 'Throw Me the Damn Ball,'" Groh said, referring to NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who was with the New York Jets at the same time as Groh. "(Santi) might write the counter to that."

Extra points

Kicker Connor Hughes was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top place-kicker. Hughes, a senior, is 16 of 19 on field goals this year and a perfect 25-for-25 on extra points. He was a semifinalist for the award in his sophomore season as well. ? Linebacker Jermaine Dias, who was slowed by a foot fracture and played for the first time since September last week, is listed as a starter at outside linebacker. Dias had two tackles, one a sack and one forced fumble against Temple. ? Kickoff for Virginia's game against Virginia Tech in Charlottesville on Nov. 19 has been set for noon.

 

Schmidt takes pride in impending record
Richmond Times-Dispatch Nov 9, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- In the University of Virginia football team's 2002 opener, its first-team defensive ends included a redshirt freshman named Brennan Schmidt. No. 96 has yet to leave the Cavaliers' starting lineup.

Last weekend against Temple, Schmidt made his 47th start, tying the school record for a defensive lineman held by Mike Frederick (1991-94). Saturday against Georgia Tech -- barring an unexpected setback -- the 6-3, 290-pound senior from McLean will tie U.Va.'s record for most career starts, a mark now held by former safety Tyrone Lewis (1988-91).

"If it were just another record or something, that would be one thing," said Schmidt, a graduate of DeMatha High in Hyattsville, Md. "It really wouldn't matter so much to me. But this one means a lot to me, because one thing I've tried to do, since I came here, was to try to be the toughest guy possible, across the board, for practices, games, whatever.

"There have been a lot of weeks when -- I'm not saying some other guy wouldn't play or wouldn't go for the start -- but I've been in a lot of pain in certain situations."

Midway through last season, Schmidt suffered a serious shoulder injury. He played through the pain and then had surgery in the offseason. He's expected to become the U.Va. football team's version of Cal Ripken Jr. on Nov. 19, against Virginia Tech, in his final game at Scott Stadium.

"I know I don't have much time left, and I'm living my dream right now," Schmidt said.

Schmidt, who's second on the team in tackles for loss with nine, never has earned all-ACC honors. -- Jeff White

 

U.VA. NOTES
Richmond Times-Dispatch Nov 9, 2005

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Ron Darden's decision last week to give up football because of severe headaches leaves Virginia with only two nose tackles who've played this season: sophomore Keenan Carter and senior Kwakou Robinson.

A third nose tackle, Kevin Crawford, is being redshirted. If the Cavaliers need more help at nose tackle this season, fifth-year coach Al Groh said, they'll probably move senior end Brennan Schmidt inside instead of playing Crawford.

A 6-3, 272-pound freshman from Gar-Field High, Crawford is "doing pretty nicely, showing a lot of promise," Groh said. "Has good explosion, is going to have good size, can run well for his position."

Schmidt, a four-year starter at end, has practiced periodically at nose tackle during his career.

LOCKED IN: U.Va. (2-3, 5-3) plays host Saturday to ACC rival Georgia Tech (4-2, 6-2). A victory over the 24th-ranked Yellow Jackets would make the Cavaliers eligible for a bowl, but sophomore defensive end Chris Long, for one, said he's not concerned with postseason possibilities this week.

"The God's honest truth is that I'm not thinking about bowls or which bowl game we'll end up in," Long said yesterday. "I'm just thinking about beating Georgia Tech, and then things will take care of themselves."

HOMECOMING OF SORTS: Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta knows his way around Charlottesville. Tenuta is a 1982 graduate of U.Va., where he played defensive back, and a former graduate assistant at his alma mater.

Tenuta was among the candidates interviewed in December 2000 during U.Va.'s search for George Welsh's successor. He's put together strong defenses at Georgia Tech, where he's in his fourth season, and this year's group is no exception.

Among Division I-A teams, Georgia Tech ranks 14th in rushing defense, 16th in total defense, 21st in scoring defense and 33rd in pass defense.

Tenuta's wife, the former Dori Gamble, is a 1981 graduate of U.Va., where she played basketball.

GETTING HIS KICKS: Connor Hughes, U.Va.'s all-time leading scorer, is among the 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to college football's top kicker.

Three finalists will be announced Monday. The Groza Award winner will be announced Dec. 6.

Hughes, a senior from Williamsburg, leads U.Va. in scoring with 73 points. He's 25 for 25 on extra points and 16 for 19 on field goals. He was a Groza Award semifinalist in 2003, too.

Kurt Smith handles the kickoff duties for the Cavaliers, but NFL teams generally don't carry two kickers. To show off Hughes' leg strength, Groh let him kick off late in Virginia's win over Temple last weekend. Hughes' kickoff sailed into the end zone for a touchback.

"That certainly will answer that question," Groh said Monday night on the Cavalier Call-in radio show.

PERMANENT SWITCH? At St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey, Rashawn Jackson starred at running back and linebacker. When training camp opened at U.Va. in August, Jackson was with the running backs, but early in the season the 6-1, 243-pound freshman was moved to inside linebacker to add some much-needed depth at that position.

Jackson, who played in a 3-4 defense in high school, has impressed at linebacker.

"He's got a real good feel for it," Groh said Sunday night. "Obviously, he's got real good size for it, and he's got those running-back instincts, which are part and parcel to being a good linebacker.

"It looks like he's got a good versatility, and when we get to the spring we'll probably be able to make a determination about: 1, where he can most help us, and 2, where he might have the best opportunity to do so early."

Don't be surprised if Jackson, who's redshirting this season, stays on defense. Should Ahmad Brooks pass up his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft in 2006, as expected, the Cavaliers' projected starters at inside linebacker next season would be Kai Parham, who'll be a senior, and Antonio Appleby, who'll be a sophomore. Probable backups would include Jon Copper, who came to U.Va. as a walk-on, and Darren Childs, who's redshirting this season.

NOTHING TO IT: With Michael Johnson out with an ankle injury, sophomore Emmanuel Byers handled the punt-returner duties against Temple. Byers totaled 53 yards on four returns.

"He's a confident player back there," Groh said. "His confidence comes from the fact that catching the ball is a very natural thing for him, and he's disciplined back there, too."

With 66 yards on six returns, Byers is now the team leader. Johnson has returned nine punts for 63 yards. - Jeff White

 

Defensive end tandem turns up the heat in practice
Not satisfied with lackluster effort at North Carolina, duo initiated change in atmosphere in week leading up to Temple, prepare for tough home stretch
Bayless Parsley, Cavalier Daily Senior Associate Editor

After the Cavaliers dropped to a 4-3 overall record on the season with a loss at North Carolina, Virginia defensive ends Brennan Schmidt and Chris Long had had enough.

Back when their season was hanging in the balance, the Cavaliers had done what no one outside of Charlottesville thought possible -- they shocked undefeated Florida State and "saved the season" in the process.But just seven days later, Virginia had inched back towards the precipice. The same team that had turned out the lights on FSU played horribly against unranked Carolina.After seemingly turning the corner the week before, the Cavaliers had taken another wrong turn somewhere on I-85 -- with just four games to play, they still needed two wins to qualify for a bowl game.

Printed just underneath winless Temple's slot on the November portion of U.Va.'s schedule were the words "Georgia Tech," "Virginia Tech" and "at Miami."

Schmidt and Long knew the intensity the team had brought to Chapel Hill wasn't going to cut it against any of those teams, especially when all three would be fighting for position in the ACC Bowl lineup.

That's why the Temple game mattered. The Cavaliers didn't just need a win against the worst team in America -- they needed a big win to prove their focus was sighted in on the challenge ahead.

But game intensity isn't born on Saturday morning. It all starts in practice.

"The intensity and emotion have really picked up in practice," quarterback Marques Hagans said about the trend that began in the week leading up to Temple. "It's making practice more competitive, and it's challenging everyone to be focused on every single play. [Schmidt and Long] went out and set an example of how we were going to practice for the rest of the season. It had the emotions running high, which is what we needed."

The on-field and off-field dynamic between Schmidt and Long is one of mentor and protégé.

Schmidt is in the twilight of his college career; Long is only beginning.

Schmidt is the proven commodity -- when he laces up against Georgia Tech this Saturday, he will break the Virginia record for consecutive starts by a defensive player with 48.

Long is in his first year as a starter -- but, with a pedigree that includes a Hall of Fame NFL father, the sophomore Charlottesville native is no stranger to the game of football.

The defensive end unit feeds off of the energy each other brings -- but, on the practice field, that energy has a contagious effect on the team.

"Just be more enthusiastic about what you're doing, and just bring in a fire," Schmidt said. "When one guy or two guys do that, it really raises the level of play around you. Maybe [Long and I] helped start it during practice last week, but we didn't do it alone. Everyone contributed to that."

To Long, that fire was lacking in the team's most recent loss.

"It was just the level of emotion that we didn't bring to the game [that bothered me]," Long said. "It's tough to get up sometimes for practice, but I would think for games you'd be up all the time. We've just got to feed off each other when it's a little tough -- we think that starts in practice."

Three games to play; one more win to qualify for a bowl. The preparation has already started.