MARQUEE HAGANS
Forget that he stands only 5-10 -- U.Va.'s quarterback is as good as advertised
BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Nov 18, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE He loves him. He fears him.

John Shuman coached Marques Hagans on the postgraduate football team at Fork Union Military Academy, and Hagans remains one of his all-time favorites.

But Shuman's son, Ryan, plays for seventh-ranked Virginia Tech. Hagans plays for the University of Virginia. The state rivals meet tomorrow at Scott Stadium. The elder Shuman, who naturally pulls for the Hokies when they play, remembers the performance Hagans staged last month in U.Va.'s upset of then-No. 4 Florida State.

"If Marques goes off, we're going to be hearing, 'Tech's overrated,'" Shuman said yesterday. "That's what's killing me."

The Cavaliers' No. 18 worries the Hokies, too. Tech coaches didn't heavily recruit Hagans out of Hampton High, a school whose allegiance then was to U.Va., but his talent didn't escape their notice.

"I remember him at Fork Union, and let me just say this: We wish he was at Virginia Tech," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said Wednesday. "What a player, and what a kid with a big heart."

For the multitalented athlete who goes by "Biscuit," the final home game of a distinguished college career is at hand. He's played several positions for the Cavaliers, but Hagans' favorite is quarterback, and he's held that job for the past two seasons.

U.Va. fans won't soon forget the countless thrills he's provided with his right arm and his feet. Few Cavaliers have come closer to reaching their potential.

"His meter's all the way up at the top," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "It would be hard to see how he could do much more for his team or much more for his career than he's done."

Shuman said: "Here's a guy who was supposedly too small to do this or that."

No story about Hagans would be complete without a reference to his height, would it? At 5-10, he's shorter than virtually ever other quarterback in Division I-A. Some critics contended that U.Va. should have kept Hagans at wideout, his position in 2003, after Matt Schaub left for the NFL.

'People always said I was too short," Hagans said this week. "Then when I started playing [quarterback] people said I ran too much and that I couldn't throw the ball.

"It's always going to be something. I think ever since I've gotten here I've had something to prove."

At Hampton High, Hagans succeeded the legendary Ronald Curry as quarterback. All Hagans did, in his first season as a starter, was lead the Crabbers to their fourth consecutive state Group AAA, Division 5 title.

His first season as U.Va.'s No. 1 quarterback was 2004, and the team finished 8-4. Hagans played well last season, completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,204 yards, but Groh worried that his quarterback was laboring under a self-imposed burden.

The coach's offseason message to Hagans: Have fun.

Quarterback is "a very serious position, as it so dramatically impacts how your team does," Groh said in July. "He took that responsibility on fully, and it's a serious responsibility, as I say, but it still has to be a joyful experience."

Hagans obeyed the order.

"With him, it's all about the team," Groh said this week. "It's all about winning . . . And he has a particular pleasure when we win, because the team does mean so much to him, and he takes it very seriously and very personally when we don't. But, on a seven-day-a-week basis, he really has enjoyed it, hasn't felt the burden of playing that position or having that ownership of the team. He really has felt the joy of it and had a great time with it."

Hagans has had a great time at U.Va., too. He graduated in May with a degree in anthropology, no small feat for a guy who didn't meet NCAA eligibility requirements coming out of high school.

As a Hampton senior, Hagans signed with Indiana. After failing to qualify, he landed at Fork Union. The recruiting process began anew, and the school he'd hoped to attend, U.Va., offered him a scholarship.

"I think everything in life happens for a reason," Hagans said, "and I couldn't be happier than the place I am right now."

NOTE: Football will grab the spotlight from hoops for a few minutes tonight at University Hall. Hagans and defensive end Brennan Schmidt will address the crowd during a pep rally at halftime of the U.Va.-Liberty men's basketball game. The game will start at 7 p.m.

 

For now, Cavaliers are two-man show
Guards Reynolds, Singletary carrying early load for Leitao
BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Nov 18, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE In Virginia's 98-62 exhibition victory over Concordia last week at University Hall, nine players scored for first-year coach Dave Leitao. Nearly half of the Cavaliers' output, however, came from two players: junior shooting guard J.R. Reynolds (25 points) and sophomore point guard Sean Singletary (22). Between them, they launched 27 shots and made six 3-pointers.

"It's going to have to continue," Leitao said.

From Pete Gillen, who resigned under pressure in March, Leitao inherited a team that lost center Elton Brown and forwards Jason Clark and Devin Smith, starters all. The situation on the perimeter isn't so bleak. Team captains Reynolds and Singletary rank among the ACC's better guards and have formed a strong bond with their new coach.

"They want what I want," said Leitao, a Jim Calhoun protégé who came to U.Va. from DePaul, where he compiled a 58-34 record in three seasons.

Reynolds, from Roanoke, made the ACC's all-freshman team in 2003-04, when he averaged 9.4 points. He raised his scoring average to 10.7 last season and led the Cavaliers in minutes played.

Singletary, a Philadelphia product, was runner-up in voting for the ACC's rookie-of-the-year award last season. Despite a shoulder injury that bothered him most of the year, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.9 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.7 steals.

Stop Reynolds and Singletary, conventional wisdom holds, and you'll shut down U.Va.

"We're going to get a lot of attention," Reynolds said, "but that's why we work hard in the gym and do the things we do: for us to be able to score with other teams scouting us and knowing that we are the go-to guys on the team."

Singletary and Reynolds are comfortable with their roles, which is a good thing.

"Because of our lack of experience," Leitao said, "the load has to go on their shoulders until we can get some guys some more experience and confidence."
 

3 suspended players reinstated
By Jay Jenkins / Daily Progress staff writer
November 18, 2005

Tony Franklin has only missed one game in his college career. Apparently, Virginia coach Al Groh does not want to see that number double this week.
On Thursday, Groh said that Ottowa Anderson, Kwakou Robinson and Franklin would likely play on Saturday against No. 7 Virginia Tech (8-1, 5-1 ACC) at Scott Stadium.

"It looks as if we will be playing with Franklin, Robinson and Anderson," Groh told reporters.

Those three players and sophomore defensive end Vince Redd were held out of Virginia's most recent contest - a 27-17 win over Georgia Tech - for a violation in team policy.

Redd is not expected to play against the Hokies, but Groh said that Anderson, Franklin and Robinson took the necessary steps to become reinstated to the team.

The addition of Franklin, who started Virginia's first eight games at safety, comes at a perfect time.

Sophomore Nate Lyles suffered a serious neck injury during the first quarter of the Georgia Tech game and has been lost for the season.

That left just three healthy options on Virginia's depth chart - redshirt freshman Byron Glaspy, sophomore Jamaal Jackson and junior Lance Evans.

The threesome enters Saturday's annual battle for the Commonwealth Cup with just one start combined. Glaspy, a walk-on with two career games under his belt, started in Franklin's spot last weekend against Georgia Tech.

Robinson should also give Virginia a shot in the arm.

With nose tackle Keenan Carter nursing an ankle injury, Robinson provides depth in the trenches.

Groh was quick to point out on Thursday that having Robinson available is "like getting two players back," since the senior has experience at nose tackle and defensive end, another spot that is thin behind its starters (Chris Long and Brennan Schmidt).

Although Anderson's a proven wide receiver (9 catches, 168 yards in '05), Groh said the greatest impact for the senior against the Hokies would be on special teams. Anderson plays on three units ? kickoff, kickoff return and punt return.

While it appears that Redd has been ruled out for the Virginia Tech game, Groh did not rule out his return in a road contest against Miami on Nov. 26.

"We just have to wait and see," Groh said.

HIP OFF THE OLE' BLOCK. Virginia should also have another weapon back in its offensive arsenal on Saturday.

Tight end and fullback Tom Santi (hip) returned to the practice field on Wednesday, according to Groh.

Santi, a sophomore, "missed the early part of the week, but was fully active [on Wednesday]," Groh said.

Santi was listed on the team-issued depth chart on Tuesday as the third-string fullback, behind sophomore Kevin Bradley and junior Jason Snelling, who will also be used at tailback.

For the season, Santi has

13 receptions for 217 yards (16.7 ypc) and has scored two touchdowns.

AN EYE OPENER. Virginia wideout Deyon Williams had what two teammates called his best game as a Cavalier against Georgia Tech.

Williams, a junior, set career-high totals in receptions (10) and yards (107) and reached the end zone in the fourth quarter.

Virginia Tech will likely challenge Williams at times on Saturday using man-to-man coverage. Other teams have experimented at times with it, including Georgia Tech last weekend.

Bring it on says Williams.

"It didn't matter who was going to be guarding me," Williams said after the win over Georgia Tech, "I tell the coaches all the time, 'I hope everybody goes man-to-man on me.' That just opens my eyes. It is a great opportunity to show what I can do. It is a test of what you can do.

"They ran a lot of zone coverage and they ran some man ? I just did what I had to do and caught the ball and we came out with a 'W.'"

Williams said he and his teammates used the fact that they were considered underdogs as an additional source of motivation against the Yellow Jackets.

"We have a lot of people that are against us," Williams said. "We even have a lot of fans that are doubting us and that's sad to say, but we know that us together is all we got. We have got to stay together, stick together and keep on pushing.

"Everything is going to be all right."


PEP RALLY. At halftime of the Virginia men's basketball game tonight at University Hall, the Cavaliers' football team will take center stage.

UVa quarterback Marques Hagans and defensive end Brennan Schmidt are scheduled to address the crowd during a pep rally at intermission of the UVa-Liberty game, which starts at 7 p.m.

 

A hot ticket
By Jay Jenkins / Daily Progress staff writer
November 18, 2005

One is a definite. Another is probable. A third is questionable. The final is doubtful.
No, that's not the injury update for the Virginia-Virginia Tech game on Saturday. UVa coach Al Groh has steered clear of using terms like that since he left the NFL.

Those are four self-made projections by four local residents as to whether or not they will find their way through the gates at Scott Stadium for the Saturday's pivotal in-state showdown.

Obtaining tickets this week for the rivalry game has been almost impossible, unless you have a thick wallet and an eBay account or a Rolodex loaded with the phone numbers of dignitaries.

Although face value for the soldout contest between Virginia (6-3) and Virginia Tech (8-1) is $50, prices on auctions at eBay.com that finished as late as Thursday evening had final prices in excess of $200 a pop, with the average price closer to $150.

While the origin of every ticket on the market is a bit different, the UVa's Athletic Ticket Office sold 39,123 of the

available tickets as a part of season-ticket packages. Another 4,400 tickets go to Virginia Tech for its dispersal, per the agreement in place at all Atlantic Coast Conference schools for football games.

The remaining tickets are allotted to the families of the players, visiting recruits, high school football coaches, UVa students and their guests and a number of legislative and government officials in town on Saturday to participate in activities for Commonwealth Day.

Virginia quarterback Marques Hagans said earlier this week that he has heard more than his share of requests. And while he will try to help Virginia win the game, you are out of luck trying to get a ticket from him.

"Tickets are kind of hard to come by this week," Hagans said. "As long as my family is there ? I am good to go. Everybody else can watch it on TV. I know there are people that want to be there that can't. They will be watching. That's all I need."

Oddly enough, former UVa third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, now with the Washington Nationals, has even been approached about tickets.

"I have had people calling me and trying to get tickets and it is a pretty hot ticket," said Zimmerman, an avid UVa football supporter. "Bunches of people are excited about this game."

Of course, Zimmerman can breath a sigh of relief since he has tickets for himself and a special guest, David Wright, the starting third baseman for the New York Mets.

"I like all college sports pretty much, but with football, I love going to those games. Especially if they are at UVa," said Zimmerman, who is from Virginia Beach. "It is a nice stadium and a good atmosphere. I have fun when I go up there."

Others are not as lucky as Zimmerman.

With expectations that scalpers will be asking at least $100 for a single ticket for just 60 minutes of college football, Charlottesville resident Heath Bralley was easily scared away.

"It's looking more and more like I'll be on my couch watching it on ESPN," said Bralley, a physical education teacher at Fluvanna County's Central Elementary School. "I would love to watch my Hokies in person, but the TV will have to do. On my budget, those prices make it inconceivable."

Another transplanted Hokie fan now residing in Central Virginia, Brad Christianson, said money is not a deterrent. That said he still needs a ticket. And for that he is willing to pay well over a $100.

"I paid $108 this summer to take my dad, Jim, to see a Neil Diamond concert at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., and that was worth every penny, so why not do it for a great football game," said Christianson, a graduate of James Madison and longtime Hokie fan. "Even if I don't find one [today], I am confident that I will find a ticket at the stadium on Saturday."

Christianson said showing up for a game without a ticket is nothing new for him. He drove ticketless from Charlottesville to Blacksburg on Nov. 6 to watch Virginia Tech play against Miami. He admits he was lucky to scalp two tickets for a combined total of $160, even if when he got to his seats he was on the top row at Lane Stadium. That was fine. His only complaint was with how the Hokies played against Miami.

Being a die-hard Virginia fan, Crozet resident Stu Evans said he would just as well have Virginia Tech fans, like Bralley and Christianson, watch the game elsewhere.

"Any place but Scott Stadium" serves as his motto.

So Mr. Evans, what if you were offered $200 for your ticket by a Hokie fan?

"I would rather burn my ticket in front of them than to sell it to a Virginia Tech fan," said Evans, who has been a season-ticket holder for almost

10 years.

While he said he has never actually burned a ticket, Evans admits that he and a friend elected not to sell tickets to North Carolina basketball fans at the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament in 1994.

"Virginia was not playing in one of the sessions so we decided to sell our tickets. A man and his son walked over and we were going to sell them the tickets, but when my friend asked them who they were pulling for, the kid spoke up and said 'North Carolina,'" Evans recounted. "My friend quickly told them that we couldn't sell them the tickets. He turned around and walked away."

Dick Mathias, Virginia's athletic ticket manager and assistant director of athletics, said he wished more Cavalier fans shared the passion that Evans displays.

"It is really up to the individual fan to keep the home-field advantage in tact by making sure they don't use the tickets on opponents," Mathias said. "Two years ago, my opinion was that we had fewer [Virginia Tech fans] than the past years, but we are not where we need to be. Hopefully this time around, the only place that we'll see [Virginia Tech] colors is in the sections that we have set aside for the visitors."

 

Cavs' Long continues to get better
By Jerry Ratcliffe / Daily Progress sports editor
November 18, 2005

One step away. That's how close Chris Long is to greatness.
Virginia's sophomore defensive end improves his game every week, but that's not enough. He is never satisfied.

Fueled by an internal passion to be the best, perhaps inherited, perhaps just the way he is, Long turned his game on during spring practice last April. Something just clicked and it hasn't stopped.

Maybe it's partly due to the fact that the 6-foot-4, 278-pound pass rusher goes up against the best offensive tackle in America every day in practice. UVa's D'Brickashaw Ferguson was recently listed No. 3 behind only USC's duo of Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart as the top selections in the next NFL draft by a consensus of pro scouts.

When you're going up against that kind of talent in practice daily, it's sink or swim baby. Nobody's there to hold your hand. You get better or you get embarrassed.

Long chose the former.

A few of us sportswriter types have kidded Long for weeks now about all the "quarterback hurries" he has been credited with this season. A hurry is putting enough pressure on a quarterback to run for his life or get rid of the ball sooner than he wants.

Hurries aren't as sexy as sacks. But they're not bad either, especially when you have 26 (hurries) as does Long. He had an amazing 10 of them while making life miserable for Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball last weekend. The closest teammate to Long's total is linebacker Kai Parham with nine, although Parham has 8 1/2 sacks to go along with it to Long's 1 1/2 sacks.

Long, who admitted he didn't really know what a hurry was, was gullible enough (he is a sophomore you know) that the writers had a little fun with him. We told him that he was only two hurries away from the ACC record, which of course was a fabrication.

"I didn't know they kept that stuff," Long said, laughing along.

So, we asked, also laughing along, if you found out you were only a couple of hurries away from that record, would you then concentrate on breaking that record and not worry about sacks?

"No way," Long chuckled.

All kidding aside, the big defensive end has been only about a step away from having one of the most dynamic seasons ever by a Cavalier pass rusher. With 26 hurries, you know he's breathing down the neck of a lot of worried quarterbacks.

"I think a lot of players are probably close to 10 sacks, but sacks are hard to come by," Long said. "You might have a goal to get them, but you need a lot of

things to go right and you need help."

Virginia has had some great pass rushers over the years, most notably Chris Slade, who still holds the ACC career record for QB sacks with 40. There was Darryl Blackstock, Mike Frederick, Chris Canty, Ryan Kuehl (who had 41 hurries), among others.

Long may not ever approach Slade's record, but he is making some very long days for opposing linemen. Against then fourth-ranked Florida State, Long was coming off the line of scrimmage with such explosion that it looked like the guys trying to block him were on roller skates. The big Wahoo was driving them back into the pocket.

"He's hitting his stride," UVa coach Al Groh said of his young pass rusher. "I felt that very thing when I was grading the tape last Sunday. I could really see, particularly the last three weeks, real movement in his game. Technique things, faster reads, footwork that sometimes got him in a little bit of difficulty early in the year, but that are much cleaner now."

Long, who grew up in the shadows of UVa and starred at local St. Anne's-Belfield before committing to the Cavaliers during his junior season, said that he did some soul-searching a few weeks back about taking his game up a notch. That's about the same time Groh noticed the leap of improvement.

"I think after the bye week I made a little jump, but it was all in mental preparation," Long said. "I sat down and thought about things and realized that I wasn't the player I wanted to be."

In order to get to that next level, he determined there were certain things he had to deal with to make those gains.

"I've got to prepare better, I've got to watch more film and practice better, which I have. It requires taking care of your body, getting your treatment, getting your rest and making all the sacrifices you need to," Long said.

Check, check and double check. He's doing all those things and it shows.

Groh said that Long's pass rush has picked up in the sophistication of it, and that as he becomes more experienced (he has only played in 15 games heading into Saturday's showdown against Virginia Tech) and develops more techniques, he'll be one step closer. One step closer to greatness.

Senior defensive end Brennan Schmidt said he has seen it coming for a long time now. Schmidt believes there's a lot of star power in Long's future.

"The way that kid works so hard and the unlimited talent he has, he's going to be a great one before he leaves here," said Schmidt, who believes Long will own All-American credentials some day.

Ferguson, who should be an All-American this year, said that Long's quick hands and work ethic has already brought him a long way in a short time, but that things will only get better.

Meanwhile, Long has exhibited unusual maturity and leadership in only his second year in the program. Groh cited Long and Schmidt for bringing the team out of its funk after losing an agonizing setback at North Carolina a few weeks ago.

It is also no mistake that the personable Long has been someone the Virginia coaches have used to help recruit other prospects into the program over the past two years.

But the local talent, who moved here when he was just a lad, said he just tries to lead by playing the best he can, doesn't take credit. When teammate Nate Lyles went down last week in a frightening scenario, Long was one of the people walking around, comforting, reassuring teammates.

After making that stride a few weeks back, even Long admits he can sense a significant change, an improvement week by week.

"If that's not the case, then something's wrong," he said. "If you want to be a good player, you have to build on each performance. I do feel like I've gotten a little better each week. I'm not where I want to be, so I need to make some big jumps."

He might even break that "hurries" record.

"Hey, if I do, are you guys going to take me to dinner at Golden Corral?" Long winked.


THE BIG GAME. If you're looking for some good-natured rivalry fun, both UVa and Tech fans can look up www.wlni.com later today and follow the Sportsline prompts about the 2005 Hokies-Hoos Song Parody Contest, held last night at Cattle Annie's in Lynchburg. Winners will be selected on tonight's show (105.9 FM) before the broadcast of UVa's basketball opener.

 

Hoping to douse the flames in opener
By Whitelaw Reid / Daily Progress staff writer
November 18, 2005

At his press conference earlier this week, University of Virginia basketball coach Dave Leitao talked about the electric atmosphere that has become synonymous with attending UVa football games at Scott Stadium.

Over the last few years, the setting at UVa basketball games has been comatose by comparison.

Of course, winning has had everything to do with that.

The football team has been to three straight bowl games. The basketball squad's last trip to the NCAA Tournament came in 2001 - a respite from March Madness that hasn't sat well with Wahoo Nation.

As Leitao takes over a program coming off a 14-15 season, he knows one of his biggest tasks is getting people's blood pumping about hoops again.

Part one of his mission begins tonight at University Hall when UVa opens its season against in-state foe Liberty.

"I'd like to think there's some anticipation because the season is starting and the fans are excited to see us play," said Leitao on Thursday, when asked what he thought the U-Hall ambiance would be like. "It's the last day of school before the holidays, so I'm sure some kids will have gone home, but I would hope the crowd would be into it and support us."

While Leitao has playfully bemoaned the team's early-season schedule, which fea-tures games against Arizona, Northwestern and Georgia Tech, he probably couldn't have picked a better school in America to open against.

Liberty returns just five letter winners - and just one starter -from last year's 13-15 team that finished second (to Winthrop) in the Big South Conference.

However, the Flames' lone returning starter is guard Larry Blair, who led the team in scoring last year (16.6 points per game).

"He plays a lot of minutes and scores a lot of points," Leitao said. "He's as good a guard from an energy and aggression standpoint as you could face. He's problematic. We need to make sure that as a team we defend him the way we need to."

Initially, Sean Singletary or J.R. Reynolds will likely guard Blair, a 6-foot-1,

185-pounder. Adrian Joseph or Mamadi Diane may be called on if Leitao wants more size. Leitao said scouting for season-openers is always difficult because you usually have to rely on information from the previous year.

He said the biggest challenge in playing a team like Liberty is the unknown. The Flames have had so much turnover that it's difficult to even figure out who their top players are. Randy Dunton, Liberty's coach, is in his fifth season.

"The approach we're taking is more team philosophy - how they coach and what kind of offenses and defenses they run," Leitao said. "We have to be ready for just about everything."

Reynolds, the Cavaliers' co-captain, said starting the season strong is key - and not just with a win, but with the type of performance that validates the effort the players have put in since Leitao came aboard last April.

"We've been working hard for a long time in getting prepared for this game," said Reynolds, who scored 25 points in the team's exhibition win over Concordia last Friday. "It's important for us to come out and display all the things we've been working on in practice."

One aspect of the game the team needs to be focused on, Reynolds said, is turnovers. The Cavaliers committed 20 against Concordia. That wasn't an outlandish number, however many were unforced.

"A lot of the stuff is new to us," Reynolds said, "learning new plays and things. We just have to be able to execute a little bit better."

Reynolds said there is no chance the Cavs will take Liberty lightly.

"All these teams have been getting beat by no-name teams every time you look in the newspaper," he said. "You see Virginia Tech getting beat (by Bowling Green) and other teams getting beat by teams you've never heard of. You can't look past your opponent."

DUNKS. The Cavs have won their last six season openers. The last time they dropped an opener came in the 1997-98 season at the University of Richmond (who the Cavs play in their second game on Tuesday night)...Leitao said he has no pregame rituals or superstitions. However, his wife, Joyce, and their three sons - David, Reese and Tyson (ages 11, 7 and 3) - will be at the game...Junior forward Donte Minter (still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery) will probably be a game-time decision. Guard T.J. Bannister will not play.

 

Expert hails UVa recruiting class
All Top-100 players
By Doug Doughty
THE ROANOKE TIMES

Will Harris, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Queens, N.Y., is the icing on a Virginia men’s basketball recruiting class that recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons places in the top four in the ACC.

At Wednesday’s end to the fall signing period, Gibbons had only North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest ahead of the Cavaliers. If a team had the fourth-best talent in the ACC on a yearly basis, it would have a good chance of making the NCAA Tournament on a more regular basis than UVa has lately.
Gibbons said he has Harris rated among the top 10 fifth-year players in the country.

“If Will Harris were a senior, he’d be in the top 50,” Gibbons said. “He’d be the highest-rated guy in Virginia’s class. He’s got extra years. So, he’s got maturity.”

In Gibbons’ eyes, a player in his top 100 qualifies as a blue-chipper. Of Virginia’s other three recruits, 6-8 Johnnie Lett from Mobile, Ala., is 52nd on Gibbons’ list; 6-5 Solomon Tat from Stockbridge, Ga., is 68th, and 6-9 Jamil Tucker from Gary, Ind., is 72nd.

“You’re not going to rectify it overnight, but I think this is a great beginning,” Gibbons said.

Harris could be viewed as a pleasant surprise, not because he signed with Virginia but because he signed early. In an e-mail exchange as late as this week, coach Jason Smith said that Harris was leaning toward signing early.

Smith said the turning point may have come Monday night, when first-year UVa head coach Dave Leitao walked into the gymnasium at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., after several airplane connection problems.

“It was the fact that coach Leitao personally was recruiting Will and took time out in his busy schedule to come up here,” Smith said. “He personally came up here twice and I think that was the deciding factor for Will.

“He developed a relationship with the head coach, which he hadn’t done previously with UConn or even Nebraska.”

Harris originally signed with Nebraska in the fall of 2004, when he was a senior at Maine Central Institute, but he tried to get out of his letter-of-intent in the spring. His explanation was that his mother had become ill and she did not want him so far away from home.

When Nebraska declined to release him from the letter, Harris’ only recourse was not to graduate, although he had a 3.0 grade-point average and had reached the required standardized-test score, Smith said. He could have returned to Maine Central Institute, but transferred to Brewster, alma mater of current UVa sophomore Adrian Joseph.

Smith said the Harris was the most valuable player in one of New York’s premier spring leagues and Connecticut was quick to take notice.

“That’s when UConn became aggressive,” Smith said. “He committed to UConn at the ABCD camp. I thought it was done, but both parties decided it would be in his best interest to open it back up and have him go through the recruiting process again.

“Everything happened very suddenly. In all fairness to Will or coach [Jim] Calhoun, I don’t think that either party got to know one another very well.”

Harris has said that he felt Connecticut “recruited over” him by taking another player at the same position, but, with the Huskies out of the picture, there was no shortage of teams ready to jump into the fray.

At the time Harris committed to Virginia on Tuesday night, there were scholarship offers on his table from visit Boston College, Providence, Georgia, Memphis and Seton Hall.

When Smith dealt with Virginia previously, Pete Gillen was the Cavaliers’ head coach and Alexis Sherard, now at Liberty and coming to University Hall on Friday night for the season’s opener, was the lead recruiter.

However, Smith said he has been dealing with current UVa assistants Rob Lanier and Steve Seymour for numerous years. Seymour was the head coach at Drexel before joining Lanier’s staff at Siena.

“I think they’re doing a fantastic job of building a foundation,” Smith said. “I think what coach Leitao and his staff are doing is stockpiling the best players. It’s like the general manager who says, ‘We’ve got these needs, but we’re going to go with the best available players.’

“They’re getting some versatile players who can play multiple positions. They’ve already got a phenomenal point guard in Sean Singletary and, as you know, that’s the most important piece.”
 

Debut no big deal, but it is
Dave Leitao is calm and collected before his first game as Virginia's new basketball coach.
BY MELINDA WALDROP
247-4634
November 18, 2005

Twenty-four hours before his first game as the University of Virginia men's basketball coach, Dave Leitao couldn't have sounded any calmer.

The Cavaliers open a new era when they take on Liberty at 7 tonight at University Hall. Leitao's tasks will be sizable: Banish any lingering ill will in the wake of former coach Pete Gillen's departure and begin U.Va.'s return to respectability.

But everything was business as usual Thursday for Virginia's new coach.

"Obviously there's a little bit more anticipation from everybody, because the reality of it is you're playing games for real now," Leitao said. "But I don't think, from a basketball structure, you adjust anything that you do."

After all, it's not as if Leitao hasn't been here before. He came to Virginia after three years as head coach at DePaul and six seasons as Jim Calhoun's associate head coach at UConn.

"It's a new environment, a new team and a new season," said Leitao, who also spent two seasons (1994-96) as head coach at his alma mater, Northeastern University, after eight years as a UConn assistant. "I think after 20-something (season openers), you still get that anticipation in you, but nothing out of the ordinary."

Leitao is taking over a program that went 14-15 last season and finished tied for 10th in the 11-team ACC at 4-12. He'll have to start improving those numbers with just eight of his 10 scholarship players in uniform tonight.

Guard Donte Minter is day-to-day after knee surgery, Leitao said, while T.J. Bannister (hip surgery) is two to three weeks from returning to the court.

Virginia's lack of depth wasn't helped by the offseason transfers of Gary Forbes, who averaged 8.5 points and 22.9 minutes in two seasons, and freshman reserve center Sam Warren. The Cavs' thinness was reflected in an announcement earlier this month that two walk-ons, Matt Deasey and Drew Shiembob, had made the team.

"We needed to add depth to our program, and we were fortunate enough to get a couple of guys that have been able to contribute in practice and make for a more competitive environment," Leitao said. "(But) because we're so short on bodies, there is an expectation from the coaching staff that they will be playing in games. I don't know sometimes if that's a good or bad thing, but it's a reality."

Leitao hopes a trio of early signees make reality a little less harsh in 2006-07. Johnnie Lett, Jamil Tucker and Will Harris signed last week with the Cavs.

Lett (6-feet-8, 215 pounds) averaged 18 points and 15 rebounds as a junior at B.C. Rain High School in Mobile, Ala. Jamil Tucker (6-9, 215) of Indiana's Gary West High School is rated by Rivals.com as the country's 18th-best small forward among high school seniors. Harris averaged 28 points and eight rebounds at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.

"Their versatility and collective enthusiasm for the game will help, (and) hopefully they can contribute right away," Leitao said.

But for now, Leitao will have to rely on present-day players. Guards J.R. Reynolds and Sean Singletary, team co-captains, are the Cavs' leading returning scorers, but they will have to jell with an inexperienced frontcourt.

That process begins tonight - along with Leitao's legacy.
 

Rankings, records won't matter Saturday
Dave Fairbank
November 15 2005

For the several dozen Virginia and Virginia Tech football fans out there, last Saturday made this Saturday a little more interesting, no?

The Cavaliers not only displayed a pulse, but demonstrated that their win over Florida State wasn't simply a stray bottle rocket in an otherwise unremarkable season.

The Hokies, who had the day off to watch Virginia bump Georgia Tech, know there may not be an easy stroll to 10-and-1, never mind 9-and-1.

Virginia fans already had begun stocking up on Pepto Bismol and Aaron Brooks highlight footage to calm themselves in anticipation of the Hokies' arrival at Scott Stadium, even before Georgia Tech came to town.

That's because unlike Coach NFL and his all-hearts-beat-as-one approach in Charlottesville, Virginia faithful aren't afraid to play them two or three at a time (Nor are multiple members of Hokie Nation, but we'll get to them in a minute).

The Cavaliers had players suspended, players injured. The Florida State win lost some juice, courtesy of Clemson earlier in the day and North Carolina State the previous week.

Bad as it would be for the Cavs to lose to the Yellow Jackets at home, the prospect of witnessing several thousand Hokies make like the Ottoman Turks one week later was downright depressing.

Instead, Virginia's makeshift secondary delivered beyond all expectations Saturday, and Marques Hagans again showed why he is capable of changing, and winning, games by himself.

Suddenly, the Cavaliers have the Hokies' attention, and Virginia fans don't feel obligated to head for the ledge before kickoff.

That may sound a little peculiar, given that this is a state rivalry, bragging rights, throw out the records and blah de blah de blah.

As much as Tech wants to extend its recent dominance against the Cavaliers, the Hokies' ambitions reach far beyond the Commonwealth borders.

An ACC title and a Bowl Championship Series berth were on the agenda, due to a typically stout defense and the rapid development of quarterback Marcus Vick.

Plenty of Hokies already had drafted outraged missives to BCS coordinator Kevin Weiberg, the Big 12 Conference commissioner, and were poised to hit the "Send" button in the event that unbeaten Tech was the odd team out of the 1-versus-2 equation.

Of course, that was before the Hokies came up empty versus Miami.

Now, Tech's aims are downsized to winning the state championship, which isn't quite as glamorous as the Rose Bowl or even the Orange Bowl.

Barring a Miami meltdown in the final two weeks, the Hokies must win the state title to shoot for double-figure victories and a second-tier bowl game. Is that good enough for them?

Everyone in the Jamerson and Merryman centers will say all of the right things this week. Some will even believe them.

Truth is, no one knows if the idle Saturday was benefit or hindrance. Does the week off clear their heads or allow them to dwell on what might have been? Would Vick, who committed six turnovers against the Hurricanes, be better off playing right away or out of the spotlight for a week patching up his dinged confidence?

Both sides will take heart in a few statistics of debatable value: Under Al Groh, the Cavaliers are 26-6 at home, 22-3 the past four-plus seasons; since 1999, Tech is 26-7 on the road, 8-0 the past two seasons; in five of the past six seasons in which the Hokies lost a game in the second half of the season, they lost at least one more as well.

The Hokies are favored. They should be. They're the better team.

On Tuesday, that means nothing. On Saturday, it means even less.
 

Tech vs. U.Va.: Coaches set to roam sidelines long-term
By ED MILLER, The Virginian-Pilot
© November 18, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Al Groh and Frank Beamer have been seeing a lot more of each other lately.

“In the past, we attended one function a year together, and we were pretty busy during that one,” Groh said.

That would be the annual meeting between the Hokies and Cavaliers, which will take place for the 87th time Saturday, at Scott Stadium.

There’s never much time for chitchat on game day. With Virginia and Virginia Tech now both in the ACC, however, the coaches cross paths much more frequently.

“There’s a lot more functions, ACC functions, that we go to together,” Groh said. “Often our wives are in attendance together, so we certainly find ourselves together a lot more.”

They’d better get used to it. When each coach looks across the field Saturday, he’ll see a counterpart who has settled in for the long haul.

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Background:
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GROH’S DEAL
Total value: $1.7 million annually through Dec. 31, 2010 — $240,000 salary as a coach and $1.46 million for fund-raising, media and personal services.

If fired without cause, Virginia has to pay the balance of his contract. If Groh leaves for another job, he must pay the university $300,000 for each year remaining.

Some of his bonuses:

$25,000 — ACC coach of the year or national coach of the year

$25,000 — bowl game with a payout of under $1 million.

$75,000 — bowl game with a payout over $1 million.

$100,000 — playing in the ACC title game.

$150,000 — reaching a BCS bowl (another $50,000 for winning it)

$400,000 — reaching the national title game ($100,000 for winning it)

$275,000 — finishing in the top 5 of AP or USA Today polls

Some of his perks:

8 men’s basketball season tickets

4 tickets to the ACC men’s basketball tournament

2 “late model” automobiles

Membership dues at an athletic or country club of his choice

BEAMER’S DEAL

Total value: $2,008,000 annually for the next seven years — including a $272,328 base salary, $80,000 from Nike, $35,000 from the school’s radio network and $1.6 million for various activities related to promoting Tech and the football program. He also receives a $400,000 signing bonus.

If either the coach or school opt out of the contract, they’re on the hook for the full remaining amount.

Some of his bonuses:

$25,000 — playing in the ACC title game

$50,000 — winning the ACC title

$25,000 — ACC Coach of the Year

$50,000 — National Coach of the Year

$25,000 for a non-BCS bowl ($50,000 for Gator or Peach)

$75,000 for BCS bowl other than national title game

$100,000 for BCS national title game

$200,000 for winning the BCS national title

$25,000 — graduating 65 percent of players

Some of his perks:

$40,000 entertainment allowance for the football staff following a bowl.

One courtesy car, with an annual stipend of $6,780 toward a second.

A suite at Lane Stadium, 20 tickets to home games and 10 tickets to any Tech bowl game.

Six indoor club seats at Lane for life, upon retirement

Four men’s basketball season tickets.

Four tickets to the ACC basketball tournament

Paid membership to Blacksburg Country Club

Beamer, 59, has been at Tech 19 years. He recently agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in Blacksburg through 2012, with an option for three more years.

Groh, 61, is in his fifth season at Virginia, and he recently signed to stay on through 2010.

The coaches have become the faces of a rivalry that, while not approaching the intensity of say, Alabama-Auburn or Michigan-Ohio State, has been dialed up a few notches in recent seasons, with both schools devoting more and more resources to football.

“I think it’s gotten more intense because both of us each and every year are getting better and better players,” Beamer said.

“I certainly hear a lot of conversation about it all year long,” Groh said. If the talk and intensity hadn’t been around before, “it certainly seems to be the case now.”

One sure sign that the ante has been raised: the money being paid to both coaches. The new contracts the two signed are at Southeastern Conference or Big Ten levels, conferences where football is a way of life.

Beamer’s new deal pays him $2 million annually, Groh’s $1.7 million. Both contracts are laden with perks and incentives.

Beamer said having a long-term deal helps in recruiting these days.

“Kids, most of them want to end up with the people they start out with,” said Beamer, whose program has been a model of stability. Only three Division I-A coaches have been at their school longer, but stability goes far beyond the head coach.

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster has been at Tech as long as Beamer has. Associate head coach Billy Hite has been in Blacksburg longer, 28 years. Offensive coordinator Brian Stinespring has been on board since 1990.

Groh said he’s trying to build a similar foundation in Charlottesville.

“From putting your team together on a year-to-year basis, clearly the way that works the best is to have a way that you like to try do business,” he said. “With flexibility to adjust to circumstances as opposed to jumping around to something different all the time.”

Players come and go, but, with continuity on the coaching staff, operating philosophies don’t change. Tech’s basic model of solid defense and game-changing special teams hasn’t varied much over the years.

Groh has strived to construct a program known for its power running game and defensive toughness. His offensive and defensive coordinators, Ron Prince and Al Golden, have been at Virginia as long as he has. Prince was promoted to coordinator three years ago after Bill Musgrave left for the NFL.

“I certainly respect the job they’ve done up there,” Beamer said.

There’s respect all around, players and coaches say. Fans may trade barbs around the office and on Internet message boards, but there have been no zingers flying from each team’s headquarters.

Or from the head offices. Beamer and Groh both have contracts filled with incentives for reaching bowl games, and the ACC and national championship games.

Neither has an incentive written for beating the other.

Some things, though, don’t have to be put down on paper.

 

University prepares for final game of season
Officials urge students to remain off field, avoid dangerous drinking behavior; groups promote safe alternatives
Becca Garrison, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

Tomorrow's football game against Virginia Tech is expected to draw a crowd of approximately 62,000 fans, according to Leonard Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer.

"It is likely to be an all-time capacity crowd," Sandridge said.

As the last home game of the season and one for which students have been camping out since Tuesday, security is a top concern.

"Knowing that this is a big game and that this is the last home game of the season, there will be a great deal of security at the game," University spokesperson Carol Wood said. "The safety of our students and our alumni and all the fans is a priority to the University."

Sandridge said common sense is most important in ensuring the safety of game attendees. In light of the Florida State game, Sandridge said there is concern that fans may rush the field after the game again.

"Obviously at this point we are very sensitive; we have asked our fans consistently to stay off the fields," Sandridge said. "The place to celebrate is in the stands."

Sandridge said students who are unable to handle themselves will be ejected from the game by authorities, and charges will be brought against them.

University Police Capt. Michael Coleman said students should be aware of their surroundings.

"The big thing is [students] should not be on the field," Coleman said. "It is potentially hazardous. There has been one stadium murder this year [at Minnesota]. Students need to protect their own safety."

The last home game of the season is also shadowed by the practice referred to by some as the "fourth-year fifth" in which fourth-year students are rumored to consume a fifth of alcohol within 24 hours of the game.

Susan Bruce, director of the University's Center for Alcohol and Substance Education, works with Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team in combating the practice with different events, including speaker Dr. Luoluo Hong and the Alcohol Awareness Week that is currently taking place.

"The Fourth-year Trustees have been tabling all week," Bruce said. "Trustees are giving out water bottles to students who are not participating."

The Parents' Program will fund a tailgate before the game in the Amphitheater for students, "encouraging people to get some food beforehand," Bruce said.

Bruce said the "fourth-year fifth" has been occurring since the 1980s and resulted in one student death in 1997, the weekend of the last home football game. She said the practice has been in decline in recent years.

"Last year almost half of fourth-year students didn't even drink the day of the last home football game [46.5 percent]," Bruce said. "Only 10.3 percent attempted to drink a fifth of alcohol."

Sandridge said he hopes students and fans will be responsible during the game.

"This is a wonderful weekend –- it's a great football contest," he said. "I think it can be a safe and fun weekend."

 

Virgina preps for season's biggest game, home closer
Cavaliers will host rival Virginia Tech, ranked No. 6, in hope of thwarting Hokie BCS run, earn bragging rights
Sam Dreiman, Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

There is no better way to welcome the turkey-devouring holiday than with Virginia's biggest football game of the season against its biggest rival, No. 6 Virginia Tech, whose mascot happens to be a turkey.

The noon game tomorrow is something all Cavalier freshmen have been anticipating and all seniors will be cherishing, as it is the last home football game of their undergraduate careers.

The two teams first battled each other in 1895, which, coincidentally, resulted in a home win for the Cavaliers. Overall, however, Virginia's history against the Hokies is 36-43-5. Virginia's defense managed to step up last week against Georgia Tech even with three defensive players suspended, holding P.J. Daniels, the No. 3 rusher in the ACC, to 11 carries for 41 yards. Marcus Hamilton left Calvin Johnson, the leading receiver in the ACC, with only one catch for 41 yards.

"Marcus has really matured as a player," Virginia head coach Al Groh said. "The hours that he put in studying tape, charting what the player did by alignment, formation, how he ran his routes -- he was just very professional about how he went about it. And clearly, his preparation showed."

If the Cavaliers want to take down Virginia Tech, the defense will need to display the same amount of poise and endurance they did in last week's match up.

The phrase "easier said than done" comes to mind here. They will have to stop the leading scoring offense in the ACC, and the main threat is none other than Marcus Vick, the leading passer in the ACC.

"He'll put it on the money and beat you with his feet, so he's definitely a different kind of quarterback you have to defend," redshirt freshman linebacker Clint Stintim said. "You definitely don't see too many quarterbacks with his stature and his style anymore."

Despite Vick's uniqueness, the commander of the field for the Cavaliers seems to display very similar characteristics.

Marcus Hagans' strong arm and accuracy makes him a threat in the pocket, while his ability to scramble and make plays on the run confuses defenses.

"They're certainly more similar than they are different," Groh said. "They're multiple threats -- run, pass, scramble out of trouble, on the edge on bootlegs, strong arms. And they're from the same school district."

While Virginia Tech claims the No. 2 rank in total defense in the ACC, senior tailback Wali Lundy has momentum on his side, accumulating more yards the last two games than in the first six combined and a total of six touchdowns.

The biggest advantage Virginia has in tomorrow's slugfest is having a 12th man: Scott Stadium. Home field advantage has turned out to be more helpful than anyone anticipated this season, helping the Cavaliers defeat top-ranked teams like Georgia Tech last week and Florida State Oct. 15.

All the same, there is nothing that should not be expected from the No. 6 team in the country.

"I expect that we'll be playing the best team that we've played this year, by far, in terms of strength in all areas," Groh said. "They've got very good talent on the team -- most of it's mature talent. So, it's talented, it's experienced, and I think the schemes are well put together and very challenging to play against."

Don't forget, though, it is the time of the season for eating lots and lots of turkey.

 

Goin' bowling -- assessing Cavs' chances
Will Searcy, Cavalier Daily Sports Columnist

It is an anxious time of year for Wahoo fans right now. The winter sports are about to start with many questions and hopes. Also, fall sports are winding down, which means one thing: the postseason.

And of course, there is the Virginia-Virginia Tech football game as well. What are its implications, other than bragging rights?

A win would kill any Bowl Championship Series hopes that Tech holds, which would make many a Wahoo happy, including yours truly. But what does this do for Virginia's postseason hopes? Here are some possible scenarios and likely bowl destinations for the Cavs based on certain outcomes.

First, let's examine the worst-case scenario. This involves, obviously, Virginia losing out, as well as several other factors. In this scenario, North Carolina would win out, boosting its ACC record to 5-3 and making the team bowl eligible. Oh yeah, this would also mean a win over Virginia Tech, which kills the ACC's bid for two BCS games. Maryland would beat Boston College and become bowl eligible. N.C. State would win out, giving it a 3-5 ACC record and making it bowl eligible.

If all of this happened, the ACC would have a total of 10 bowl-eligible teams, excluding only Wake Forest and Duke. Of these 10 teams, Virginia would be tied with N.C. State for the worst record in the ACC (3-5) and overall record (6-5), although North Carolina, Maryland and potentially Georgia Tech and Clemson would also share a 6-5 overall record.

The problem Virginia would run into is the lack of bowl games. There are only six bowl games designed specifically for ACC schools and only two that have "to be announced" spots, meaning they are not tied down by conference affiliations.

In this scenario, Miami would most likely get the BCS while Virginia Tech would get the second-place bowl game, the Gator Bowl, and Florida State would get the third-place game, the Peach Bowl. The other three ACC bowl games are familiar to Virginia fans: the site of last year's bowl debacle (the MPC Computers Bowl), the site of past Cavalier bowl success (the former Continental Tire Bowl or Meineke Bowl), and what would have been the destination of last year's bowl had it not been for final exams (the Champs Sports Bowl).

These three bowl games would have their choice of Virginia, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Maryland, North Carolina and N.C. State. Of these teams, Boston College is pretty assured of a spot somewhere, and Boston College, Clemson and others have stronger resumes than Virginia. Therefore, given the worst-case scenario, the Cavs would most likely have to accept the leftovers of bowl games and pray they get into the barren wasteland bowl again or face getting completely snubbed.

Now, let's look at the best-case scenario. Unfortunately, this looks a little less realistic and does not offer better bowl games. It would include Virginia wins against Virginia Tech and Miami, Virginia Tech beating North Carolina and Miami beating Georgia Tech. As a result, Virginia would be in a third-place tie with Florida State and either Maryland or Boston College. The top three bowls would most likely stay the same, although the Wahoos would have a shot at the Peach Bowl. However, Virginia would most likely get first choice of the remaining bowl games. This means no to Boise, Idaho and yes to either Charlotte, N.C. or Orlando, Fla.

Neither scenario is likely to happen, as they both have unlikely occurrences (North Carolina beating Virginia Tech and Virginia beating two top-10 teams). However, it does make the bowl situation much clearer. Virginia most likely will end up in one of the bottom three bowl games, and I would assume the Meineke Bowl in Charlotte. The committee of these bowl games gets to make its own selection of the bowl eligible teams, and I do not think it will forget who won the first two bowl games ever played in this particular Charlotte bowl.

 

Freshmen to make immediate impact
Diane, Mikalauskas contributed in exhibition, will likely start tonight
Megan McDonald, Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Given that both of this year's freshmen, Mamadi Diane and Laurynas Mikalauskas, started in the exposition game against Concordia, the youngest members of the Virginia's men's basketball team may be among the first five to take the court again tonight. Indeed, last week's decisive win demonstrated that the team's newest members have what it takes to play college ball.

"I think even if we had a full team, they would play a lot," head coach Dave Leitao said of the freshmen's performances.

In the game, Diane tallied 16 points and contributed to the Cavaliers' 43-31 rebound margin; Mikalauskas provided the strong frontcourt presence the team has been noticeably lacking.

"Our frontcourt lacks players that are physical, and Mikalauskas will bring that trait to the table," Leitao said. "We will use him early and often to get into games. The only thing we have to do now is teach him to confine it so he can stay out of foul trouble."

Originally from Vilnius, Lithuania, the 6-foot-8-inch Mikalauskas played basketball in high school for the Blue Ridge School. For the 2004-2005 season, he was not only named the Central Virginia Player of the Year by Charlottesville's Daily Progress but also was a first-team All-Central Virginia selection.

According to Diane, neither he nor Mikalauskas were very nervous about making their collegiate debut.

"That's the starting lineup we'd been working with in practice the couple of days before, so it wasn't really unusual," Diane said. "I think Coach Leitao felt that was probably the best fit for the night, and I think it worked well."

The 6-foot-5-inch Diane grew up in Potomac, Md. and played basketball in high school for DeMatha Catholic. Although he earned first-team All-Metropolitan honors from the Washington Post for 2004-2005, Leitao said Diane has exceeded expectations.

"Mamadi did not have a tremendous reputation, especially for someone coming out of DeMatha," Leitao said. "But I've been very, very pleased with him and his work ethic. He's a tremendous runner, and I've already seen his resiliency. There isn't wasted motion in his game, and I wouldn't be surprised by anything [he accomplishes], because he has the usable tools to become a better and better player as time goes on."

Virginia teammate Sean Singletary, the sophomore guard, holds a similar opinion of Diane.

"He's a real good scorer, aggressive down the stretch even in the beginning of the game," Singletary said. "We need a lot more scoring besides J.R. and I, and he needs to step up and hit some big shots. He plays hard, defends the ball real well, and that's a big plus for us."

Tonight is the Cavaliers' first regular season game, Leitao's first regular season game as head coach and the last first regular season game in University Hall. Virginia will take on Liberty at 7 p.m. and will look to improve on its 5-1 record against the Flames.

"I think we're ready at this point," Diane said. "We've made great strides since August, and I know we will continue to make great improvements. I'm real excited to start the season."

 

Beamer, Groh not tight, but have a cordial relationship
Nathan Warters
Lynchburg News & Advance
November 18, 2005

BLACKSBURG - Rival football coaches are supposed to have icy relationships, right? They’re supposed to exchange scowls when crossing paths and hurl insults at each other through the media.

That’s a stereotype Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer and Virginia’s Al Groh choose not to follow.

“We get along fine,” Beamer said.

Beamer and Groh aren’t best friends, but they don’t avoid each other, either.

The two have crossed paths at different Atlantic Coast Conference functions, and the meetings have been cordial, Beamer said.

“Now with both teams in the same conference … in the past, we both only attended one function a year together, and we were pretty busy during that one, being the game,” Groh said.

“Now there’s a lot more functions, more ACC functions that we go to together and often our wives are in attendance together, so we certainly find ourselves together a lot more.”

When asked how he would describe his relationship with Groh, Beamer said, “Good. Good. I certainly respect the job they’ve done up there.”

Out-of-state empathy

David Clowney doesn’t need anyone to explain why Saturday’s game against Virginia means so much to so many of his teammates.

He’s not from Virginia, but he knows what it feels like to face an in-state rival.

The junior wide receiver felt that emotion two weeks ago when the Hokies played Miami.

Clowney, from Delray Beach, Fla., is one of four Florida natives on Tech’s roster along with linebacker Corey Gordon, cornerback Brandon Flowers and cornerback Chris Ceasar.

To those players, Miami is Tech’s biggest rival, and it pained Clowney and the other Florida Hokies when they had to hear the trash talk and taunting after Tech’s 27-7 loss.

He doesn’t want that to happen to his teammates this week.

“We were mad. We were upset,” Clowney said. “As far as bragging rights, (Miami’s players) get to talk as much as they want to until next season’s game, but that’s something that we’ve got to look past, and now I have to help my teammates win their rivalry game.”

Trash-talking is big in Florida, but there hasn’t been much of it leading up to this game.

“They already know how big the game is, so it might not be as necessary as you think,” Clowney said. “Trash-talking is big in Florida, so we talk trash no matter what. That’s just what we do, but I haven’t really heard a lot of guys talking trash. I guess actions speak louder than words.”

Sandidge starting again

Tech senior defensive tackle Tim Sandidge (Amherst County) is expected to make his first start in more than a month Saturday.

Sandidge was enjoying the best season of his college career when an ankle injury against Marshall Oct. 8 slowed him. He didn’t start any of Tech’s next three games, though he did see limited action in all three.

Now he’s back, and he’s ready to cap off his final season in a big way.

“Coming off this break right here, I’m feeling real good,” Sandidge said. “I’m back at 100 percent. I want to get out there and make as many plays possible and try to keep that (Commonwealth) Cup here at Tech.”

Sandidge’s recovery from the ankle injury hit a snag a week after the Marshall game when he twisted the ankle in practice after a run-in with roommate and friend Barry Booker.

Sandidge could have given Booker, also an Amherst County grad, some grief, but he didn’t.

“It was just something that happened,” Sandidge said. “We were doing a stunt. He realized I hit his foot, but you know, things happen. We talked about it at the house. It was nothing purposely. It was just something that happened on the football field.”

Extra points

D.J. Parker is slated to start at free safety for the first time since Tech’s game at West Virginia Oct. 1. Parker, a sophomore, started the first three games before giving way to senior Justin Hamilton. … Tech senior cornerback Jimmy Williams is one of five finalists for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the country’s top defensive player. The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 5.