Virginia looking for three in Florida
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
November 7, 2007

Rashawn Jackson said the goal is rather simple.

Virginia would like to play three of its next four games in the state of Florida.

The first contest is a given - the Cavaliers (8-2, 5-1 ACC) play at Miami (5-4, 2-3 ACC) on Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Virginia could also secure a berth in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla., with a win over Virginia Tech on Nov. 24.

Winning the title game would guarantee the 23rd-ranked Cavaliers a BCS berth, and a date in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.

“We could be on a three-game Florida thing,” said Jackson, the team’s top fullback. “That could be cool.”

That, of course, would be putting the cart before the horse, Virginia coach Al Groh stressed. For the remainder of the week, his team will focus solely on the Hurricanes, who are 3-point favorites.

“To this point, Miami is overall the most athletically gifted team that we’ve played,” Groh said Tuesday during his weekly press conference at John Paul Jones Arena. “They’ve had challenges to try to develop the cohesiveness and performance that I’m sure that they are looking for.”

Groh cited the difference that Miami quarterback Kyle Wright can make. Wright, who ranks second in the ACC in passing efficiency, was unable to play in a 16-13 overtime loss to North Carolina State last weekend.

Kirby Freeman was given the nod and had struggles of epic proportions. Freeman completed only 1 of 14 passes and threw three interceptions.

Miami coach Randy Shannon helped Virginia’s preparations, announcing Tuesday that Wright’s knee and ankle have progressed enough to allow the quarterback to start Saturday.

“He’s fine,” Shannon said. “He’s ready to go. He’ll start.”

Groh offered high praise for Wright, who has played in seven games.

“They went through a quarterback switch earlier in the season, then when they seemed like they had things going pretty decently, Kyle Wright got hurt,” Groh said. “Then they had to flip back again. Now they’ve had a weekend where they’re kind of lamenting their performance, but that happens a lot of times with the first year in the program.”

Shannon, who was the defensive coordinator in the previous regime, replaced former coach Larry Coker during the offseason.

“Even though Randy Shannon’s been there for a while and they know him personally, it hasn’t necessarily been his philosophy and his beliefs that were governing the entire organization,” Groh said. “The players probably have to get used to that. There are two new coordinators, so there is a bit of a transition that goes on in those circumstances.”

Despite the Hurricanes’ struggles - Miami must win one of its final three games to become bowl eligible - Groh warned his team of what Saturday night could do for his opponent. Miami has invited back former players for the program’s final game in the Orange Bowl (the Hurricanes will start playing in Dolphin Stadium next season).

Coach Groh told the team that Miami is “the type of team that when you have things going on outside of the football field will respond to that,” said Virginia linebacker Jon Copper. “Just like every week, we have to be ready to play our best game in order to compete with this team. Ultimately, what matters is if we block the right guys, run our defenses correctly and execute on special teams. Ultimately, what matters is what goes on inside the white lines.

“That was the main point that he gave us, but he just kinda set the atmosphere that we are going into.”

Not so fast

A published report Monday night indicated that Virginia running back Cedric Peerman was out for the remainder of the season.

That may still be the case, but Groh was not willing to completely rule out a return for Peerman against Virginia Tech or in the postseason.

“We don’t know that officially yet, but obviously there’s only two games left, and he’s not going to play in this one,” the coach said. “It’s not going out on a limb to say that that’s a possibility.”

Peerman may require surgery for the ligament damage in his right foot, but Groh is awaiting official confirmation on that matter - one way or the other.

“That’s not something that I have any input in,” Groh said. “I just wait to hear what the determination is.”

Peerman, who was injured in the first half against Middle Tennessee on Oct. 6, remains on crutches and in a protective boot.

Extra points …

Groh gave the team the day from practice Monday, allowing the players the chance to study film. That also served as a day of rest for cornerback Chris Cook, who injured his hip in the second half against Wake Forest and could not finish the game. Groh was unsure Tuesday afternoon if Cook would be cleared for last night’s practice. … Over the past 23 years, Miami has had 87 players taken in the first, second or third round of the NFL Draft. Florida State is second with 71 selections during that period. … The Hurricanes have lost back-to-back league home games and stand 8-6 in the Orange Bowl since joining the ACC in 2004. … Virginia and Miami are the top two teams in the ACC converting on fourth down. The Hurricanes have moved the chains 12 of their 15 opportunities. The Cavaliers have converted 7 of 12.

 

Throwback Long gets due credit
By Jerry Ratcliffe / jratcliffe@dailyprogress.com
November 7, 2007

Vince Lombardi would have loved Chris Long. He would have loved the motor, the leadership, the team-first attitude.

Certainly, St. Vincent, the legendary Green Bay Packers coach, would have loved to see the Virginia defensive end’s name on the list of four finalists for the award in his name, honoring the best lineman in college football. He probably would have drafted him.

On Tuesday, Long, who grew up in the shadows of the University of Virginia, became the first Cavalier ever to make the finalists list for the Lombardi Award, which will be presented in a special ceremony on Dec. 5 in Houston. He’s got some stiff competition for the honors, including LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinatis, and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long.

The Virginia senior was surprised by the announcement at the conclusion of coach Al Groh’s weekly press conference, but remained his usual humble self.

“It’s such an honor,” said Long. “I have a lot of respect for the game and the other guys. I’m humbled by it. I know all those [other finalists] that are going, so it will be cool to hang out with them and talk about our seasons.”

Staying focused

No sooner had those words left his mouth, Long was back to business.

“I have to put that on the backburner ... it’s time to play football,” the Charlottesville resident said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished to this point, but we’re not done.”

Long has only two regular season games remaining in his Virginia career, an important road tilt to Miami for the Hurricanes’ last game ever in Orange Bowl Stadium, before returning home for a Nov. 24 showdown with state rival Virginia Tech, which could be for the ACC’s Coastal Division title.

He is hopeful that his postseason will include the ACC Championship game in Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 1 and a BCS game later. After all, that’s the main reason he elected to return for his senior season rather than dive into the NFL Draft last April.

He wanted to finish what he started.

Bringing it home

After all, Charlottesville is his hometown and a championship would probably carry just a little more meaning from a player who grew up here. His family lives here. The community knows him and adores him and the class he has exhibited during his UVa career.

It hardly seems like it’s almost over.

“Yeah, I think about that all the time,” Long said. “It’s been awesome playing college football with this group of guys at this university. Every game is special to you and if you have any sense at all, you start thinking about that a little early, so you appreciate every game you have, not just at the end.”

Anyone who has been around Long for any meaningful period of time knows that he isn’t about statistics or awards, although he acknowledges they are nice. Rather, he’s about team and about winning. Nothing else really matters.

The Wahoo star is fifth in the nation in QB sacks with 12, is second among linemen in passes defended, averages 6.5 tackles per game, has 18 tackles for loss and 19 hurries to go with his sacks.

He has intercepted a pass, blocked a field goal, and forced fumbles. Mostly, he has prevented opposing offensive coordinators from enjoying several good nights of sleep.

“My goal is to create as much disruption as possible,” Long said Tuesday. “A stat is just a stat to me. You don’t do it for the numbers.”

He has done all of that and more for a Virginia team that turned around last year’s 5-7 finish with a roster dotted with young, inexperienced players, to this season’s 8-2 mark (5-1 ACC), which leads the Coastal Division.

Because the Cavaliers rank well behind Virginia Tech and its reputation in recent years, and behind Boston College and showcase quarterback Matt Ryan, and because Florida State is always an attraction, and because Clemson is accompanied by masses, then Virginia must make it to the ACC Championship game in order to assure itself of a good bowl game.

Wahoo fans can attest to how their program is often overlooked and gets the fuzzy end of the lollipop when bowl invites get handed out.

Long is hoping to go out with a bang.

“We are who we are. We don’t have to be world beaters, we just have to be the best team on the field every week,” he said. “It’s harder than it sounds.”

Whatever it takes to win, Long is ready for the challenge, although he’s had a good time with the good karma thing. Someone asked him the other day if Virginia squeaking past so many opponents was a derivative of good karma, to which he said he thought good karma was helping old ladies cross the street at supermarkets.

Reminded of that Tuesday, the hulking pass rusher was asked if he had been lending his assistance at supermarket crossings.

“I’m camped out at Harris Teeter,” Long said. “I was there an hour ago. I had an apron on ... I do shifts.”

Should that be the case, the market will probably be flooded with card-carrying AARP ladies today in search of the All-American looking Long’s services to get to their cars.

Hey, if nothing else, maybe it will work out as an endorsement when he does go pro.

 

U.VA. NOTES
Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007 - 12:06 AM Updated: 02:18 AM
 
Cavs taking advantage of opportunities
In NCAA history, no major-college football team has won more close games than this year's Virginia Cavaliers. Of U.Va.'s eight wins, three have come by one point and two by two points. Another was by five points.

Had a play here or there in each of those games gone differently, U.Va. could well be 6-4 or 5-5 or even 4-6. But seventh-year coach Al Groh disputes the notion that his team is "lucky."

"That's why they put a scoreboard up there," Groh said yesterday. "The other team had equal opportunity to be lucky. So whether we're luckier than them or a little bit better than them is really irrelevant. We've won more than them, and that's all that really counts."

Virginia has lost it share of close games over the years, and "I didn't hear anybody in the past saying, 'That was an unlucky loss, so it's OK,'" Groh said. "When you lose, they tell you that you lost. It's an interesting phenomenon. When you lose, all they do is tell you that you lost. When you win, they tell you what's tainted about the win. You need to get more than the other guys. That's all that counts."

Players get a pleasant surprise
The Cavaliers, who opened the season Sept. 1, have played on each of the past 10 Saturdays, and they'll make it 11 straight this weekend at ACC rival Miami. Groh gave his players Monday off.

"It's 5:30 and you're not playing football on a Monday, and you say, 'What do people do right now? What do normal students do right now?' You're almost confused," senior defensive end Chris Long said with a smile yesterday.

"It's definitely something that gives us a little rest, a little time off our feet. Week 10 of the season, guys are going to be a little banged up. That's the way it goes. I think that was pretty cool of Coach Groh to just give us that."

Groh said: "It's important at this time of the season to re-energize and to renew and to get reinvigorated for the challenges that come up, and sometimes a little change in routine helps that."

Peerman's status for postseason uncertain
Junior tailback Cedric Peerman hasn't played since hurting his right foot Oct. 6 at Middle Tennessee, and he's not expected back for either of the Cavaliers' two remaining regular-season games.

Peerman's injury may require surgery. Until that decision is made, however, it won't be known if Peerman might be available for a bowl game, Groh said.

Leitao's team has no shortage of weapons
Virginia's basketball team isn't likely to get much scoring from its centers, a group led by seniors Tunji Soroye and Ryan Pettinella, but they're surrounded by gifted offensive players.

U.Va. looks particularly strong on the perimeter. In a 124-65 exhibition win over Division II Carson-Newman on Sunday, seven Cavaliers made at least one 3-pointer, and four hit two or more treys. Moreover, two other players with 3-point range - forwards Will Harris and Mike Scott - sat out the game with injuries.

"We have a number of guys who can make shots," third-year coach Dave Leitao said. "As long as we play hard on defense and share the basketball on offense, guys will all be in position to display some skills that I think we can take advantage of."

With Harris and Scott unavailable, Leitao started a small lineup that had 6-7, 201-pound senior Adrian Joseph at power forward. Joseph, who usually plays small forward, hit 7 of 10 shots from the floor, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, and scored a game-high 22 points.

Against some teams, U.Va. will need more size, but the coaching staff is intrigued by the prospect of playing Joseph and 6-5 junior Mamadi Diane together at the forward spots.

Virginia opens the season Sunday. Vermont visits John Paul Jones Arena for a 2 p.m. game. - Jeff White

 

Cavs' Long: He's a handful
Foes seem to be getting a grip when grappling with Virginia's standout
Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007 - 12:06 AM
By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
CHARLOTTESVILLE Offensive linemen, it seems, are holding on to University of Virginia defensive end Chris Long for dear life this season.

"No comment," Long said Saturday after helping U.Va. edge Wake Forest 17-16 at Scott Stadium.

A 6-4, 280-pound senior from nearby Ivy, Long was credited with 10 tackles against Wake, including his ACC-leading 12th sack, a performance for which he was named the conference's defensive lineman of the week.

On several plays, Long appeared to be the victim of blatant holding by a Demon Deacon, but no flag was thrown.

"You just have to deal with it," Long said yesterday. "If it was a hold, they'd call it."

That line drew chuckles from the assembled reporters at John Paul Jones Arena, but Long didn't crack a smile.

"I have complete faith in that," he said.

If opponents are taking matters into their own hands as they try to stop the Cavaliers' No. 91, that's understandable. Long, a team captain for the second straight year, has been virtually unstoppable this season.

"Look, if I was having to block him," U.Va. coach Al Groh said, "I'd do everything I could, too."

Long, who'll almost certainly be honored as an All-American, yesterday was named a finalist for the Lombardi Award. The other finalists are LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long.

The Lombardi winner will be announced Dec. 5 in Houston. The award is presented annually to a lineman, linebacker or tight end who, in addition to playing well, most reflects the discipline for which Vince Lombardi was renowned.

"It's just such an honor," Long said of his designation as a Lombardi finalist. "I have a lot of respect for the game and for the other guys who play the game. I know all those guys, fortunately, who are also going [to Houston], so that's going to be really cool to hang out with them. But right now, I've got to put that on the back burner. It's time to play football."

No. 23 Virginia (5-1, 8-2) meets Coastal Division foe Miami (2-3, 5-4) at the Orange Bowl on Saturday night. Long will enter the game with 64 tackles - second only to junior linebacker Jon Copper at U.Va. - including 18 for loss. He has 19 quarterback pressures, seven pass breakups, one blocked kick, one interception and has caused one fumble.

Groh said he hasn't complained to the ACC about the non-calls. Long, for his part, said he's not feeling sorry for himself.

"You've just got to play hard," he said. "It happens, and it's football, in all seriousness. If there was a hold called every time there was a hold, there'd be a million flags on the field, on both sides. It's just football. It's a non-issue."

 

Groh connects good fortune to team's hard work
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- There must be an explanation for Virginia's uncanny ability to win close games.

Perhaps, it's a reward for good deeds.

"I'm like camped out by Harris-Teeter," said Chris Long, the Cavaliers' star defensive end. "I was just there an hour ago. I had an apron on and I was doing cart duty."

Long, named Tuesday as one of the finalists for the Lombardi Award that goes to the nation's top lineman, knows that people think UVa (8-2, 5-1 ACC) has been lucky during a stretch when it has won three games by one point.

"Who cares?" Long said. "I don't care. People who say that, they don't have as much invested in this team as I do and my teammates do."

The Cavaliers have overcome fourth-quarter deficits in five of their victories, the latest coming Saturday, when UVa prevailed 17-16 after Wake Forest's Sam Swank missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.

"That's part of how games turn out," UVa coach Al Groh said. "You know, it went the other way for a while, too. I didn't hear people in the past saying, 'That was an unlucky loss, so it's OK.'

"You know, it's an interest phenomenon. When you lose, all they do is tell you that you lost. When you win, they tell you what's tainted about the win."

Groh said he believes in "good karma," but he has never been one to talk about superstitions in his seven seasons as UVa coach.

"The only thing I've continued to do is get up at 4 o'clock in the morning," Groh said. "If that brings me good luck, then I'm going to continue to do that."

Groh sets an alarm for 4 a.m., "but, usually, I turn it off before it goes off," he said. "Today, I made the mistake of turning it off before it went off and saying, 'I'll just take two more minutes.'

"I took 13 more minutes. This is the first time I've confessed my transgression."

History lesson

In the ACC's 55-year football history, only one team had captured three one-point victories in a single season before Virginia accomplished the feat last week.

In 1975, North Carolina State beat Florida 8-7 and North Carolina 21-20, then won at Penn State 15-14. That Wolfpack team also tied Duke, 21-21.

Ten other ACC teams had enjoyed two one-point victories in the same season, including N.C. State on four occasions and Virginia three times -- in 1964, 1976 and 1988.

Free time

Groh has made an effort to rest some of his most heavily used players on Mondays in recent weeks, but the Cavaliers, as a team, did not hit the practice field Monday and had an off day physically.

"It's nice," Long said. "It's 5:30 and you're not playing football on a Monday. You're saying, 'What do people do right now? What do normal students do right now?' You're almost confused.

"I think that was pretty cool of Coach Groh to give us that."

Quote-unquote

While Wake Forest was double-teaming Long for most of Saturday's game, he frequently found himself matched against the Deacons' Louis Frazier, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound fifth-year senior.

"It's personally a challenge for me to go against him because we have two different futures," Frazier said. "He has a future in the NFL, and I have a future in medicine.

"He was everything that I heard, and the thing that I really like about him is that he didn't trash talk about getting the job done."

Injuries

Groh amended comments that he had made to ESPN.com, which reported that Cavaliers tailback Cedric Peerman was out for the season. Groh said Tuesday that Peerman will miss UVa's final two regular-season games with a foot injury suffered Oct. 6, but that he wouldn't rule Peerman out of a bowl game.

Odds 'n' ends

Virginia's victory Saturday gave the Cavaliers eight victories at the earliest stage, Nov. 3, in the program's history. Only two UVa teams -- in 1989 and 1998, have won nine games -- in the regular season. ... The Wake victory also pushed Groh's record as a college coach to 76-75, including 50-35 at Virginia. Groh lost his first game as head coach at Wake Forest, where he served from 1981-86, and did not top the .500 mark until the Cavaliers won at Maryland 18-17 last month. He slipped back to 75-75 following a 29-24 loss at North Carolina State.
 

Cavs relish being on winning end of close games
The Roanoke Times
© November 7, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE

Virginia defensive end Chris Long, named Tuesday as one of the finalists for the Lombardi Award, which goes to the nation's top lineman, knows there's a perception U.Va. (8-2, 5-1 ACC) has been lucky during a stretch of three one-point wins.

"Who cares?" Long said. "I don't care. People who say that - they don't have as much invested in this team as I do and my teammates do."

The Cavaliers have overcome fourth-quarter deficits in five victories - the latest coming Saturday, when they prevailed 17-16 after Wake Forest's Sam Swank missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.

"That's part of how games turn out," U.Va. coach Al Groh said. "You know, it went the other way for a while, too. I didn't hear people in the past saying, 'That was an unlucky loss, so it's OK.'

"It's an interesting phenomenon. When you lose, all they do is tell you that you lost. When you win, they tell you what's tainted about the win."

Groh said he believes in "good karma," but he has never been one to talk about superstitions in his seven seasons as U.Va. coach.

"The only thing I've continued to do is get up at 4 o'clock in the morning," Groh said. "If that brings me good luck, then I'm going to continue to do that."

More one-point wonders

In 55 years of ACC football, only one team had three one-point victories in a season before Virginia.

In 1975, North Carolina beat Florida 8-7 and North Carolina 21-20, then won at Penn State 15-14. That Wolfpack team also tied Duke 21-21.

Ten other ACC teams had two one-point victories in the same season, including N.C. State on four occasions and Virginia three times - in 1964, 1976 and 1988.

Like 'normal students'

The Cavaliers had a rare off day Monday.

"It's nice," Long said. "It's 5:30 and you're not playing football on a Monday. You're saying, 'What do people do right now? What do normal students do right now?' You're almost confused.

"I think that was pretty cool of coach Groh to give us that."

Tough battle with long

While Wake Forest was double-teaming Long for most of Saturday's game, he frequently found himself matched against the Deacons' Louis Frazier, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound fifth-year senior.

"It's personally a challenge for me to go against him because we have two different futures," Frazier said. "He has a future in the NFL and I have a future in medicine.

"He was everything that I heard and the thing that I really like about him is that he didn't trash talk about getting the job done."

Peerman may play in bowl

Groh said Tuesday that tailback Cedric Peerman will miss U.Va.'s final two regular-season games with a foot injury suffered Oct. 6, but he could play in a bowl game.

Quick kicks

Virginia's victory Saturday gave the Cavaliers eight victories at the earliest stage in the program's history. Only two U.Va. teams, in 1989 and 1998, have won nine regular-season games.... The victory also pushed Groh's record as a college coach to 76-75, 50-35 at Virginia. Groh lost his first game at Wake Forest, where he coached from 1981-86, and did not top the .500 mark until the Cavaliers won at Maryland 18-17 last month. He slipped to 75-75 following a 29-24 loss at North Carolina State.
 

UM notebook: Wright to start at quarterback Saturday
Posted on Wed, Nov. 07, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
Kyle Wright will start against Virginia on Saturday in Miami's final game in the Orange Bowl, coach Randy Shannon said Tuesday.

Wright, however, is still not fully healed from a sprained left ankle and knee, and he said he took snaps Monday for the first time since he sustained the injuries Oct. 20 against Florida State.

''It's something I have to live with right now,'' he said, ``and still live in the training room and try to get better every day. [Tuesday] was the first day I was really participating and competing in team drills and it felt good to be out there. A little rusty -- it's been a few weeks. I felt like I was a little slower.''

RECRUITING UPDATE

Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.) quarterback Cannon Smith orally committed to the Hurricanes on Tuesday, according to CaneSport.com. Smith, 6-1 and 200 pounds, passed for more than 2,400 yards with 27 touchdowns (and seven interceptions) his senior season at Olive Branch [Miss.] High, according to rivals.com. He ran for more than 500 yards with seven touchdowns. Smith reportedly will join UM in January.

• Injuries: Shannon said defensive end Eric Moncur (concussion) will be back against Virginia.

 

Grobe: We'd do it again
Coach says WFU made the right call
By Dan Collins
JOURNAL REPORTER

If Wake Forest’s game at Clemson on Saturday comes down to a 47-yard field goal by the Deacons’ Sam Swank to win or lose, Coach Jim Grobe said he’ll have what he wants.

“I told the team (Monday), as honestly as I tell them,” Grobe said yesterday. “If we had a chance to beat another Top-25 team on the road and Sam had a chance to kick a 47-yard field goal, then we’d just put the field-goal team on the bus and go. We wouldn’t have to take the rest of the team. Go put the ball down, let’s kick it and see if we win.

“Just take the field-goal team and let the rest of the guys stay home and work on homework or whatever. And those guys can go and kick the field goal.

“But that’s just the kind of confidence we’ve got in Sam.”

Obviously, the three days elapsed since the 17-16 loss at Virginia haven’t shaken Grobe’s conviction that he made the right call at the end of the game. The Deacons ran twice to set up a 47-yard attempt by Swank, whose only miss on 12 tries before Saturday had been from 57 yards out.

Swank pushed the ball about a yard to the right and Virginia escaped with the victory.

Grobe said there were far more considerations than Swank’s performance earlier in the game, when he made kicks of 27, 25 and 31 yards and missed one from 43 yards. His kick on the missed 43-yarder was a typical Swank boomer that hit near the top of the left upright and bounced back.

If anything, Grobe considered the earlier miss more of a reason to expect Swank to make the final kick of the game.

“You don’t think he’s going to miss twice,” Grobe said. “If you watch him on a daily basis, this is not a guess on our part that he can make a 47-yard field goal.

“Could we have thrown the ball a couple of times on our last couple of snaps? We absolutely could have. But I don’t know that 37 is any better from 47. He would have probably made that one from 55 or 60 if he had straightened it a little bit.

“And then the other thing is, on that drive I can’t say enough good things about our offense. But if anybody was paying attention, we got sacked twice on that drive, we had a batted ball that should have intercepted - a handful of their guys had a chance to intercept it - and we had a holding penalty.

“Now I’m going to tell you what. On those last couple of snaps down there, if we had had a holding penalty, if we’d had a sack, if we’d thrown an interception.... What we’re going to always try to do is put the kids in a position to win the football game and with Sam Swank you feel pretty comfortable when that guy is kicking the ball to win the game.”

Swank said afterward that he would have preferred the ball in the middle of the field instead of the right hash. Wake Forest certainly had the opportunity to center the ball on the second of the two running plays.

Grobe, asked yesterday, said that because of the angles, a 47-yard field goal from the right hash isn’t that much different from one down the middle.

“You ought to walk out and stand 47 yards or 50 yards away and stand on the hash that far back,” Grobe said. “And then walk over four or five yards and see if you think that would make that much difference. When you’re that far out, there’s not much angle there.

“Now when we get in close - when we get to the 15 and in - there’s so much of an angle we unbalance the line to keep pressure from coming from the field. And that’s a little tougher deal. Actually, if we had been down closer we would have thought there was more need to be in the middle of the field.”

Grobe acknowledged two more considerations, one wearing No. 91 and the other wearing No. 51. Defensive end Chris Long and linebacker Clint Sintim, two of best playmakers on the Virginia defense, were playing on the right side of the Cavaliers’ defense, making the Deacons reluctant to run left.

“We talked about it,” Grobe said. “The problem was 91 and 51 were lined up to the field. Our biggest concern was that if Chris Long or (Sintim), the real good outside linebacker, if those guys made us miss and got into our backfield - which was possible - then we could lose yardage.

“We felt comfortable. I’m not sure 52 (yards) would have mattered - 47 or 52, whatever. But we really didn’t want to go backward.”

As bad as Grobe felt after the game, he said he felt worse when he returned home in time to see the first half of Boston College’s game against Florida State. He said he went to bed before Florida State finished off the Eagles 27-17, telling his wife, Holly, he couldn’t bear to watch.

He realized all too well that with a victory earlier at Virginia, the Deacons would have been 5-1 in the division, a half game ahead of BC.

Now the Deacons, who lost to the Eagles in the season opener, are going to need help to outlast both BC and Clemson for the division title.

“I could see how good Florida State was playing, and I knew what was going to happen,” Grobe said. “I got up the next morning and saw they had won, so it makes it a little bit tougher.

“But that’s just this league. I’m telling you, it’s hard. Just because you know what’s in front of you doesn’t mean you can go and make it happen.”
 

Wright will start despite ankle pain
Click-2-Listen
By JORGE MILIAN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 07, 2007

CORAL GABLES — Kyle Wright isn't completely healthy, but he'll be the University of Miami's starting quarterback in Saturday's game against No. 23 Virginia.

Wright took part in a complete practice Tuesday for the first time since sustaining left knee and ankle sprains on Oct. 20 against Florida State.

"I can still feel (discomfort)," said Wright, who will wear a protective boot around his ankle Saturday.

"I don't know that's anything that's going to go away anytime soon. With these type of things, they're just nagging."

Hurting or not, UM coach Randy Shannon said Wright will be in the starting lineup against the Cavaliers (8-2, 5-1) as UM (5-4, 2-3) plays its final game in the Orange Bowl.

A defeat would mathematically eliminate the Hurricanes from ACC championship contention.

Wright replaces Kirby Freeman, who completed 1 of 14 passes with three interceptions in Miami's 19-16 overtime loss to North Carolina State on Saturday.

Freeman is 5-of-25 with five interceptions since replacing Wright against the Seminoles.

Shannon met with Freeman on Monday after what the quarterback admitted was a "very rough" evening following the game.

"But the sun came up Sunday morning," Freeman said.

"Luckily, my mom was there to take a little bit of the pain with me.

"It was kind of an emotional weekend because I let my team down. It was as simple as that."

Franklin may start again: Freshman Orlando Franklin, a graduate of Atlantic High School, could receive his second consecutive start at left guard even though Andrew Bain, a senior who started UM's first nine games, is healthy.

Bain missed the N.C. State game with a groin injury. Franklin and redshirt freshman Joel Figueroa shared snaps in Bain's place.

"Nothing against Bain, but he has to understand he had the position, but these guys are doing really good," Shannon said.

UM receives QB commitment: Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy quarterback Cannon Smith orally committed to UM and is expected to enroll at UM in January.

Smith is the third quarterback to orally commit to Miami for 2008.

 

Players reflect on Orange Bowl: What history?
By Shandel Richardson | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 7, 2007
 

CORAL GABLES - Receiver Kayne Farquharson has limited experience in the Orange Bowl.

He is in his first year with the Miami Hurricanes and played in just six home games. Yet he offered the best analysis on how the current players feel about Saturday's finale for the Hurricanes against Virginia.

"It's goodbye Orange Bowl, hello Dolphin Stadium," Farquharson said.

While this week is perfect for fans and former stars to reminisce about the Orange Bowl, the ending will be less nostalgic for today's players. Many are unaware of the history and just ready to move on.

"I care a little bit," freshman cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke said. "The Orange Bowl is like a college stadium to me. There's tradition there. I want to stay there, but we have to move on to bigger things. I guess Dolphin Stadium is better things for us."

Players began expressing their feelings when there was just talk of leaving the Orange Bowl. In the preseason, safety Kenny Phillips said moving would be a nonfactor. When the decision was made, defensive end Calais Campbell said it didn't matter where the team played.

"We won't worry about this last game in the Orange Bowl," coach Randy Shannon said. "Half these guys don't even know the history of the Orange Bowl. They don't know how many Super Bowls have been played in it, that there used to be a fish tank in the back where Flipper used to jump up and down. The only thing they know is they play in the Orange Bowl."

Shannon continued to say most of the team is probably too young to remember the 58-game home winning streak, but a few say they know some of the history. Sophomore cornerback Chavez Grant remembers watching games on television, mostly the Super Bowls.

"This is only my second year playing in the Orange Bowl, so I haven't really gotten attached to it," Grant said.

For many years, the Hurricanes used the Orange Bowl as a selling point for recruits. They were able to attract high-profile players despite playing in one of the nation's worst facilities.

The condition of the stadium was ignored because of the storied history.

That is no longer the case, with UM upgrading to Dolphin Stadium, where there are luxury boxes and replay screens.

"I don't think the Orange Bowl matters to those [recruits]," Grant said. "They're pretty young. I don't think they know about the history. I feel they do want to play in the Dolphin Stadium, somewhere bigger, somewhere they have more extravagant things."

The Hurricanes look at Saturday as a case of trying to keep their bowl hopes alive and sending the seniors off with a victory in their final home game.

"I don't think it matters that much," guard Derrick Morse said. "Yes, it's the last game at the Orange Bowl and everybody is talking about it. But as far as the team talking about it, it's just going to be another game."

Wright to start at QB
Shannon said quarterback Kyle Wright will start Saturday. Wright missed last week's game against N.C. State with an ankle injury. Wright completed a full practice Tuesday.

"He's fine. He's ready to go," Shannon said.

Kicking job open
The kicking position has been reopened among Daren Daly, Francesco Zampogna and punter Matt Bosher. Daly missed two field goals last week, and Zampogna lost the job earlier this season. Bosher had been ruled out after being named punter in the preseason, but is back in the mix.

Two players return
Defensive end Eric Moncur (concussion) and running back Shawnbrey McNeal (sinus infection) are expected back this week.
 

Singletary's supporting cast key to season
Several younger players look to fill the void left by graduation of last year's stars J.R. Reynolds, Jason Cain
Anders Sleight, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

Though senior guard Sean Singletary is the face of the Virginia men's basketball team, a group of players behind him is ready to step into the limelight. After the graduation of Jason Cain and J.R. Reynolds, Virginia coach Dave Leitao will be looking to them to take the burden off Singletary and help lead a team through a tough season schedule.

The leading scorer from the returning group of five sophomores and two juniors is junior forward Mamadi Diane, a player who looks to assert himself as a leader and dynamic scorer this season. Last year Diane averaged 9.6 points per game and seems likely to increase that total given the departure of star guard Reynolds. When asked about stepping into a scoring role, however, Diane declined to take credit and stressed the importance of scoring as a team.

"It's just something we'll have to wait and see," Diane said. "A lot of guys have shown improvement -- all our freshmen from last year have gotten better."

Diane will be helped offensively by another emerging star, sophomore forward Will Harris. Harris earned significant playing time last season by demonstrating his physicality and ability to score in spurts. Although he only averaged 3.6 points per game last season, Harris had several standout performances and will almost certainly improve on his point production in the coming year.

"I feel like I have to produce more," Harris said. "But we have a lot of scorers on our team, and every night someone else is going to have to step up. It's not just going to fall on one person's shoulders."

Two of Harris' classmates, sophomore forwards Jamil Tucker and Solomon Tat, will also look to increase their roles. Last season, Tucker and Tat saw significant action and often swung the balance in Virginia's favor in key situations. Tucker proved his scoring ability last season by stepping in and hitting shots in critical situations. Tat proved to be an excellent defender and used his length and speed to shut down explosive opponents. This year, both players should see expanded roles offensively and defensively.

"I think they all have the ability, and hopefully they've had the experiences that will allow them to do well," Leitao said.

Down low in the post, the Cavaliers return two big and physical players who will help stabilize things defensively. Junior forward Laurynas Mikalauskas and sophomore forward Jerome Meyinsse will attempt to step up and fill the low post scoring and rebounding threat that departed with Cain.

The biggest point of emphasis for the Cavaliers heading into the season, however, is defense. Leitao is known as a defensive expert, and he has made his presence known at Virginia during the last two years. This year Leitao will strive to make Virginia into a defensive powerhouse in the ACC. Last season the Cavaliers surrendered an average of 70.8 points per game. The loss of significant scoring from Reynolds will force the Cavaliers to clamp down defensively to find success with their difficult schedule. The return and development of Diane, Harris, Tucker, Tat, Mikalauskas and Meyinsse should help Virginia improve its defensive capabilities.

"We ran a lot, and we knocked down a lot of threes," Singletary said. "But we always hit home defense and rebounding, and we're definitely going to do that again this year."