Fewer fans see Cavs win
Scott Stadium crowds have dropped off since season opener vs. USC
Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 - 12:07 AM

MIAMI (FLA.) AT VIRGINIA

Today: Noon, Scott Stadium
On the air:TV -- WRLH; radio -- WRVA (1140), 11 a.m.
By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- All the elements needed to produce a capacity crowd, it would seem, are in place. Virginia, coming off back-to-back victories over ranked opponents, is as hot as any team in the ACC. A win today would keep the Cavaliers atop the Coastal Division standings, and they're facing a team, Miami, with a storied tradition.

Moreover, the weather forecast calls for a spectacular fall afternoon. Yet U.Va. officials are realistic. They'd love to see every seat filled at Scott Stadium today, but they don't expect a sellout.

"I'd be happy with 55, 56 [thousand]," Jon Oliver said Thursday.

Oliver, U.Va.'s executive associate athletic director, follows this stuff closely. A season ago, he knows, the Cavaliers drew at least 58,500 fans to 61,500-seat Scott Stadium five times.

This season, Virginia's Aug. 30 opener against Southern California drew 64,947 -- a Scott Stadium record -- but the drop-off since then has been pronounced.

Official attendance for Richmond's visit Sept. 6 was 51,007. Starting Oct. 4, the Wahoos played at home on three consecutive Saturdays. They drew 50,727 for Maryland, 52,398 for East Carolina and 52,342 for North Carolina.

The crowd count for the UNC game was particularly noteworthy. The Tar Heels are the Cavaliers' oldest rivals -- the series dates to 1892 -- and they en tered the game nationally ranked. Plus, the 3:30 p.m. starting time traditionally is popular with fans. Yet thousands opted to stay home that day.

"I think it's the economy," Oliver said.

There are other factors, he acknowledged. Many alumni and supporters have been disenchanted with Al Groh's management of the program -- off-the-field problems marred the Cavaliers' offseason -- and the team's 1-3 start cost the eighth-year coach more support.

Also, the university's controversial decision to re-seat the stadium this year prompted many longtime fans, unhappy about being asked to donate more money to the Virginia Athletics Foundation, to not renew their season tickets.

Ultimately, though, Oliver believes the troubled economy is what's keeping most fans home, because other schools are having similar problems. And until recently, he noted, high gas prices also were a concern for fans.

"If you look across the country, there's a lot of people that are down in ticket sales," Oliver said.

Take Maryland, which is tied for the Atlantic Division lead. The crowd that turned out Oct. 25 to see Maryland play Wake Forest -- 46,257 was the second-smallest at Byrd Stadium in nearly 35 games.

"We don't know how bad [the economy] is going to get, so people are pausing and asking themselves, 'Do I want to take a family of four to the game?'" Oliver said.

"I don't know what else this team could do to get people excited about buying tickets [for today's game] -- U.Va. has won four straight games -- "yet we're not seeing a dramatic bump in sales."

In 2006, Virginia sold 39,876 season tickets, a school record. It sold 39,532 last year. The total was 35,538 this year, but U.Va. also offered two "mini-packages" for home games, each consisting of about 2,000 tickets.

The first package, for the USC, Richmond and ECU games, sold out, largely because of the demand to see the mighty Trojans play in Charlottesville. The second -- for the games against ACC rivals Maryland, UNC, Miami and Clemson -- didn't prove nearly as popular, to the surprise of U.Va. officials.

"That's a pretty strong package," Oliver said. "But at the time we were packaging those things, in February and March, who would have guessed the economy would be so bad [in the fall]?"

Ideally, U.Va. wants "that stadium full and rocking," Oliver said, but the atmosphere there was raucous during the team's recent homestand. He expects a similar scene today, no matter what the official attendance.

The fans who show up "want to be there," Oliver said, "and they're real loud."

 

Three keys for U.Va.
Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 - 12:07 AM

Three keys for U.Va.
1 Keep the running game going. Senior tailback Cedric Peerman is the Cavaliers' inspirational leader, and when he's pounding out yards, the offense is capable of soaring. During U.Va.'s four-game winning streak, Peerman has scored six touchdowns.

2 Limit Miami's big plays. Hurricanes freshman Travis Benjamin is one of the nation's most explosive return men, and second-year coach Randy Shannon has game-breakers throughout his lineup. U.Va. can't let this game turn into a track meet.

3 Avoid turnovers. Virginia has a small margin for error, and mistakes make it that much harder for Al Groh's team to win. U.Va.'s 19 turnovers are the most of any ACC team.


 

Preview: Miami (Fla.) at Virginia
Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 - 12:07 AM

Miami (Fla.) at Virginia
Where: Scott Stadium (cap. 61,500), Charlottesville

When: Noon

On the air: TV - WRLH (CR11, CC11). Radio - WRVA (1140), 11 a.m.; XM Ch. 190, noon

Tickets: $42; (800) 542-8821, www.virginiasports.com

Line: U.Va. by 2

Records: Virginia (3-1, 5-3) leads the ACC's Coastal Division. Miami (2-2, 5-3) is tied for third in the Coastal with North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Players to watch: Miami - TB Graig Cooper, 102 carries, 503 yards, 4 TD; QB Robert Marve, 84-153 passing, 829 yards, 7 TD, 9 INT; QB Jacory Harris, 55-92 passing, 538 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT; WR Travis Benjamin, 854 all-purpose yards; PK Matt Bosher, 12-13 field goals. U.Va. - TB Cedric Peerman, 95 carries, 541 yards, 7 TD; WR Kevin Ogletree, 39 catches, 474 yards, 4 TD; TE John Phillips 35 catches, 300 yards, 1 TD; QB Marc Verica, 144-215 passing, 1,281 yards, 5 TD, 9 INT; LB Clint Sintim, 10 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, one caused fumble

Outlook: This matches two of the ACC's hottest teams. U.Va. has won four straight since a 31-3 defeat at Duke in late September. The Hurricanes, under second-year coach Randy Shannon, have won three in a row since a two-point loss to Florida State on Oct. 4. Miami leads this series 3-2, but Virginia has won the past two meetings. A season ago, in the'Canes' final game at the Orange Bowl, U.Va. embarrassed them 48-0. This is the penultimate home game for the Cavaliers, who entertain Clemson on Nov. 22.


 

Cavs out to take 5th
Miami stands in the way of UVa's attempt to stay on its hot streak.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

For nearly a year, Miami has had to live with the ignominy of a 48-0 loss to Virginia in the Hurricanes' final football game at the Orange Bowl.

Today at Scott Stadium, the Hurricanes will have a chance to do something about it.

Miami brings a three-game winning streak into a noon kickoff, facing a Virginia team that has won four straight. It is a showdown with serious ACC Coastal Division implications.

Front-runner Virginia (5-3 overall, 3-1 ACC) has a half-game lead over Georgia Tech, with Miami (5-3, 2-2) among a group of three teams that are only one game back.

"I know they're going to be ready and it's going to be an emotional game," said UVa quarterback Marc Verica, who has passed for more than 200 yards in four consecutive games. "It's going to be an emotional game, a passionate game.

"We have a bull's-eye on our chest, not only because of where we sit in the division but just because of the way this game has gone the last couple of years. They're definitely going to be hungry. They'll want to win this game really bad."

UVa coach Al Groh said: "I'm sure they're anxious to turn the tables."

The Hurricanes may be coming to Scott Stadium with revenge on their minds, but their public comments haven't suggested it.

"We are a different team," Miami coach Randy Shannon said. "Some of the older guys, you may talk to them and they will say, yeah, they remember it. But most of the guys were in high school, trying to win state championships and playoff games.

"Revenge sometimes can hurt you because it's all built-up inside of you. You have to make sure you go into the game with a fresh mind. Most people make mistakes when they are tired or mad."

The teams have met only five times, the last four since Miami began ACC play in 2005. The Cavaliers had never beaten the Hurricanes before 2006, when a 4-6 Virginia squad handed Miami a 17-7 loss in coach Larry Coker's last season.

Virginia began this week as a one-point underdog. If that had held up, it would have marked the 11th straight time the Cavaliers had been underdogs to a Division I-A opponent. By Friday, however, the Cavaliers were listed as two-point favorites.

"They are playing a lot better than [they were] earlier in the season," Shannon said. "But that's typical of Coach Groh. It's always best to have the NFL mentality of late in the season is when you want to do your best."

Opposing coaches may have noticed Virginia's upsurge, but the Cavaliers haven't convinced pollsters. Only weeks after losing to Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina entered the Top 25 this week.

Those teams have two losses apiece, while Virginia has three losses by a combined score of 128-20. Still, ACC sack leader Clint Sintim and some of his teammates believe that respect has been grudging.

"If we do what we have to do a few more weeks, then whatever we deserve will be forthcoming," Groh said. "I don't think it bothers us, but it does make you wonder about the rational thinking of some people."

The truth is, Virginia was so unimpressive over the first month that the Cavaliers didn't even get a Top 25 vote until this week, when they got 25 points in the voting.

Besides, Virginia seems to play better as an underdog and who'd want to change that?

"I think this team was hungry for success from the beginning," Groh said. "We just weren't proficient enough to achieve it.

"I don't think our travails early in the season intensified our ambition to win. It was there from the start. We just weren't ready to do so initially."
 

Can the Cavaliers handle success?
Posted to: College Football Sports
Washington Post
© November 1, 2008
By Zach Berman
CHARLOTTESVILLE

Virginia Coach Al Groh was forced to move his Tuesday news conference because a job fair had overtaken much of John Paul Jones Arena. Four weeks ago, many fans would have recommended Groh attend. Four consecutive victories later, the coach whose employment status was a topic of speculation for the first month of the season now has his team atop the Coastal Division of the ACC.

The Cavaliers enter today 's game against Miami after an undefeated October that included three victories over ACC opponents: North Carolina and Maryland, currently ranked among the nation's top 25, and Georgia Tech, which was ranked before the loss. Just five weeks after becoming the first ACC team in 26 games to lose to Duke, Virginia now has hopes of reaching the league's championship game. In the process, the formerly beleaguered Groh went from the hot seat to the hottest coach in the conference.

"I think there were a lot of players that just hadn't had any - it wasn't that they had experienced failure - it was just that they hadn't had any tangible success before then," Groh said. "They were waiting to see that. One of the things that did get us to this point was that the players were always listening to the message and stayed with it."

P inpointing why the team struggled early, Groh identified a "lack of inventory" that forced inexperienced players into unexpected roles earlier than anticipated. The team gradually developed and hit stride during a much-needed 31-0 victory over the Terrapins Oct. 4.

Virginia's win over Maryland just seven days after its 31-3 loss to Duke left many college football observers bewildered, but it didn't entirely shock those within the Cavaliers' football program. Against Duke, the team was undone by cramps overtaking defensive standouts Clint Sintim and Ras-I Dowling, a few questionable decisions by quarterback Marc Verica in his second start and an injury hindering senior running back Cedric Peerman.

"I can't say there was any fuzzy feelings coming out of that," Groh said. "But if your mentality is not to be Chicken Little, and just look at the plays and some of the players who performed and where it might go. The score speaks for what you are, but it doesn't mean you had 85 bad plays."

The flashes Groh witnessed and development he banked on came to fruition against Maryland.

An improved offensive line blocked efficiently for a healthier Peerman. The inexperienced defensive line started occupying blockers to allow a heralded group of linebackers to roam the field. And little-known Verica provided a steadying force within the huddle. Combined with the unflappable Groh, Virginia proved able to remain in games and accumulate victories.

The offensive line received its critical boost from true freshman guard Austin Pasztor, a 17-year-old Canadian who made his first start against Maryland and has become a promising force next to acclaimed left tackle Eugene Monroe. Right tackle Will Barker, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound junior, also has raised his performance level after being cleared of a misdemeanor charge that had hung over him since the summer.

In the four games since sitting out against Duke to recover fully from a bruised knee, Peerman has rushed for 445 yards and six touchdowns. He refuses to even acknowledge the injury was serious, or take credit for the offensive resurgence. His production - and opposing defenders - might argue otherwise.

The other key on offense has been Verica, a redshirt sophomore who took over when Peter Lalich was dismissed after violating the terms of his probation stemming from an alcohol-related arrest. Unlike Lalich, Verica wasn't a major recruit. His name has been mispronounced on television, a joke among friends, family and teammates. (It's pronounced VEHR-ih-cuh.)

With the team's destiny within its control, there's no telling how Virginia will respond. Yet Groh isn't surprised with where the team sits through eight games, neither is he convinced.

"I know what we're doing with things and what it took to do it," he said. "It's really looking at the final result. We're halfway in the conference season. We might not win another game. We might win them all. I can see where every one of them will be hard to win. I can see where every one of them we have a chance. The players see that, too."

 

Analysis: U.Va. must tackle great expectations
Posted to: College Football Sports
Roanoke Times
© November 1, 2008
By Aaron McFarling

Now we'll see what they can do as contenders.

For much of this season, the Virginia Cavaliers have merely been a subject of drive-by intrigue. Whether it was their blowout losses, off-the-field issues or unexpected victories, they've been more spectacle than anything else.

But slowly, that's changed.

The Maryland win made them puzzling.

The East Carolina win caused a radar blip.

The North Carolina win proved they could be resourceful.

And last week's victory at George Tech? That snapped them squarely into the role of front-runner, shocking the entire conference.

"I was not expecting them to lose," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said of the Yellow Jackets, the erstwhile division leaders and team his Seminoles meet today. "But Virginia's an amazing team."

Hear that? The second winningest coach in the history of college football thinks the Cavaliers are amazing - and he's not even playing them this week!

Give coach Al Groh credit. In less than a month, Virginia has dispatched two of the Coastal Division's top threats and destroyed the Atlantic's co-leader.

But the best news is success has not changed him. When asked whether it's more difficult to prepare a team during a winning streak, Groh said,

"Any time that your team is able to prepare from a foundation of confidence is a more advantageous circumstance," he said. "And confidence only comes from demonstrated performance."

But there's another side to that argument, one that should give the team pause. This year's Cavaliers have never faced the kind of pressure they're going to feel today.

The majority of fans at Scott Stadium will expect them to win. Gamblers moved the betting line three points in their direction, making them favorites.

And after clawing for weeks to make something - anything - out of this season, U.Va. is now charged with protecting a lead nobody expected.

Groh said the Cavs are prepared like they have all season, spending about half their practice time on game-planning for the opponent and the other half honing fundamentals to improve consistency.

But it's the time in between practices - hours spent walking to class, eating dinner, hanging out at the dorms - that toys with the psychology of the players.

Their peers view them as winners. Now they have to keep proving it.

Much like Virginia Tech did last year, the Cavaliers have experienced an offensive Renaissance in the middle of the season. They've averaged 382 yards during their streak after reaching 300 just once in their first four games.

O utside the Maryland game, there have been no comfortable wins. And based on talent level alone, the Cavs are probably closer to the middle of the ACC pack than their current standing.

"It has been hard enough in each one of (the wins) that we can see that the margin is very, very small," Groh said. "And if we do anything less than what we've done for the previous four games, it probably won't be enough."

Four ACC teams are off this weekend. Miami-Virginia is the league's only noon game, which means there will be a lot of eyes on the unlikely contenders.

And for the first time in a long time, anything less than a win would be a surprise.



 

Hurricanes downplay revenge
November 1, 2008 12:36 am
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
CHARLOTTESVILLE--

The scene was surreal.

The University of Miami had just finished playing its final contest in the historic Orange Bowl, the place where five national championship teams played their home games.

But instead of many former star players from the school known as "The U" celebrating a victory last Nov. 10, they were wondering what happened to their once-dominant program.

That was because Virginia--a team that set an NCAA record for the most wins by two points or fewer in a season--had just blown away the Hurricanes, 48-0.

Miami will get a chance to avenge that humiliating setback today. The Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) are much improved, but the Cavaliers (5-3, 3-1) are riding a four-game winning streak and are in first place in the Coastal Division.

The teams will clash in a key division battle today at noon in Scott Stadium.

"I'm sure it's going to be on their mind," Virginia senior linebacker Clint Sintim said of last year's blowout. "It was the last game in the Orange Bowl. I'm sure they're going to be fired up and prepared to come down here and really try to stick it to us."

Second-year Miami head coach Randy Shannon said payback won't serve as motivation for his team. He said it's more concerned with picking up its fourth straight win regardless of who the opponent is.

"We've talked about it, and you can't have the revenge factor," Shannon said. "Most people make the biggest mistakes when they're angry, upset. You do things you're not supposed to do because you're trying so hard and you're mad. With this football team, we're going to stay calm and stay focused on the game and not anything that can distract us."

There's plenty Shannon could be distracted about from last year's game.

The Cavaliers forced five Miami turnovers. They rushed for four touchdowns and outgained the Hurricanes, 418 total yards to 189.

Virginia head coach Al Groh said, "I'm sure [the Hurricanes] are anxious to turn the tables," but Shannon is quick to point out that just four starters from last year's game will see significant action today.

Six Hurricanes starters are freshmen and three are sophomores.

"This team is different," Shannon said. "These young guys, the only thing they're worried about is what we're trying to get done at Miami."

So far, that approach has worked.

The Hurricanes rank 15th in the nation in total defense (283 yards allowed per game) and 16th in passing defense (169.1 yards allowed). Offensively, they're paced by sophomore running back Graig Cooper, who has rushed for 504 yards and four touchdowns.

"They're building their team around him," Groh said of Cooper.

The Cavaliers have a building block at running back as well, in senior Cedric Peerman. Peerman is third in the ACC in rushing yards per game (77.3). He also has seven rushing touchdowns and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

The Cavaliers lead the ACC in total offense for conference games (350.5), a major improvement for a unit that sat near the bottom of the national rankings after a 1-3 start.

"It's been tremendous to be a part of," sophomore quarterback Marc Verica said of the offense's resurgence. "We're pretty confident now, but I think it's important for us to stay hungry, humble and not be satisfied with these past four games."


INJURY REPORT

Virginia senior inside linebacker Antonio Appleby (ankle injury) is questionable for today's game.

Starting nose tackle Nick Jenkins (ankle), wide receiver Kevin Ogletree (hand), defensive end Matt Conrath (shoulder) and kicker Yannick Reyering (knee) are all probable, while key reserve linebacker Cam Johnson (ankle) is out.

 

Blowout loss to Virginia in OB finale still lingers for UM football
Virginia spoiled the Orange Bowl finale with a 48-0 win over UM, which can become bowl-eligible by defeating the Cavaliers on Saturday.
BY SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

It was an Orange Bowl finale so unfathomable that by the time the game clock ticked to 00:00 and the scoreboard read 48-0 in favor of Virginia, the largest University of Miami crowd of 2007 was so dazed and despondent it could barely boo.

Just a few hours before, dozens of proud Hurricanes legends roamed the OB sideline. They soaked in the pregame excitement as UM players bounced around the field with such fervor that their adrenaline was palpable.

''If you don't take a piece of this place home with you, you don't understand what this place meant to UM football,'' Bennie Blades, the 1987 Jim Thorpe Award winner, said early that evening, unabashedly admitting to pocketing some turf.

But by the end of UM's shocking unraveling against Virginia, the players, former stars and fans were left wondering what had become of the program.

At noon Saturday, this year's Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) will take on the Cavaliers (5-3, 3-1) during homecoming at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. UM fans are seeking a more comforting conclusion.

`EMBARRASSING TIME

''Embarrassing for them, embarrassing for us, embarrassing for the fans,'' said Albert Bentley, who started at fullback for the Hurricanes' first national championship team in 1983 and reminisced last week about the final game in the Orange Bowl.

''Hopefully,'' Bentley said, `this year's players remember that and put a little extra effort in against Virginia.''

They haven't forgotten.

Even most of the youngsters who weren't on last year's team -- and there are plenty of them who will play Saturday -- were affected by that game. Former Miami Northwestern High quarterback Jacory Harris, now a UM freshman, was one of at least 21 UM recruits who came to the Orange Bowl and watched in disbelief.

''You're not supposed to lose 48-zip and be OK with it,'' Harris said later that week. ``You expect to see more if you're a die-hard Cane.

``None of us like what we're seeing, but all of us think we can come in and make a difference.''

That they have.

Harris could be a key component in Saturday's game because starting quarterback Robert Marve was put on UM's injury list Friday. Marve was designated as probable for a previously undisclosed leg injury. Harris said this week that qualifying for a bowl game with a victory at Virginia ''would be great,'' but that the Hurricanes ''want to go to the best bowl'' possible.

''We're striving for greatness,'' he said. ``We're not striving for anything like a smaller bowl -- even though it would be great. If we finish the year out with wins, we go to a BCS bowl, depending on how everything falls inside the standings. We want to be at a big bowl.''

Getting to a Bowl Championship Series bowl would mean winning the ACC's Coastal Division, which the Cavaliers lead, and then winning the conference title game Dec. 6 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

TWO HOT TEAMS

Virginia has won four consecutive games, including a 24-17 victory Oct. 25 against then-No. 21 Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The Hurricanes have won three consecutive games. UM coach Randy Shannon said he didn't want last year's game, which at the time he called ''a bitter loss,'' to be overblown.

''Different team,'' Shannon said this week. ``The guys for the most part were in high school trying to win state championships. Revenge sometimes can hurt you because it's all built up inside. You have to go into the game with a fresh mind. Not a hatred, but a strong dislike. . . . Most people make mistakes in two ways -- when you're tired and when you're mad.

``We won't be tired and we won't be upset. We're going to be positive, fresh and worry about what we do on offense, defense and special teams.''

Virginia coach Al Groh was asked if 48-0 had been talked about among his players.

''I can't say I've heard it one time from anybody,'' Groh said.

Groh praised UM's youngest players, calling them ``highly skilled.''

''What they lack in polish at this early stage of their career, they've got in raw speed,'' Groh said. ''Those guys are fast.'' Saturday's noon game, expected to be played in unseasonably warm temperatures that will peak at around 70 degrees, is the second consecutive away game in which the opponent has scheduled Miami for its homecoming.

UM Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta, who attended last year's OB finale, said he's counting on this year's younger, more vibrant team to play until the end -- no matter how the game turns out.

''The thing I was disappointed in last year is I didn't feel they played for 60 minutes,'' Torretta said. ``This team is hungry. This team plays hard. At least they're playing the whole way.''


 

Miami Hurricanes running backs are ready to roll
Hurricanes running backs Graig Cooper and Javarris James feel obligated to play as well as their younger teammates on offense.
By GARRETT W. HYLTON

The University of Miami's talented freshmen quarterbacks and receivers have been the main story during the Hurricanes' three-game winning streak.

That group accounted for seven touchdowns in the three victories, and quarterbacks Robert Marve and Jacory Harris each had a 50-yard rushing game.

But with Graig Cooper fresh heading into the last four games and Javarris James nearing full strength, the Hurricanes' running attack is ready to steal a few headlines as the Canes make a push for a bowl game.

''A lot of people have been keying on our running game, so it gave those guys the opportunity to do their thing,'' James said. ``Now we have a balanced offense. We can do good things in both. But now it's time for the run game to come along finally and for us to get in there and help those young guys out a little bit.''

`I FEEL WAY BETTER'

With James missing four games because of a high ankle sprain, Cooper has been both explosive and consistent while bearing the brunt of the carries.

He leads the Hurricanes with 503 rushing yards and six total touchdowns and is averaging nearly five yards per carry. Those numbers are almost identical to the ones he put up through eight games last year.

The big difference this season is that he feels fresh.

Last season, Cooper got off to a fast start but wore down. During the Canes' four-game losing streak to close last season, Cooper missed one game and rushed for a combined 118 yards with no touchdowns in the other three.

Cooper hit the weight room in the offseason to avoid a similar drop-off this season, and UM coach Randy Shannon has kept a close watch on his number of carries.

''I feel way better than I felt last year,'' Cooper said.

STAYING HEALTHY

For James, UM's inside bruiser, it's about getting healthy.

In the two games since returning from his injury, James has appeared a bit tentative as the strength of his ankle weighed on his mind.

He said he is finally putting the injury behind him.

''I'm starting not to think about it,'' James said. ``My first week, it was in my mind a lot. I tried not to think about it, but it's something that's hard to overcome. I'm at a point where I don't worry about it no more.''

Saturday's game against Virginia would seemingly offer a good chance for the Hurricanes to get going on the ground. The Cavaliers give up 188.8 passing yards per game, No. 36 in the nation, and 147.9 rushing yards per game, No. 71 in the nation.

But those numbers are a bit deceiving. As the Cavaliers spiraled to a 1-3 start, they were ripped for 208 rushing yards in a 52-7 loss to USC and 382 rushing yards in a 45-10 loss to Connecticut.

As the Cavaliers rebounded to win four games in a row, their run defense has bounced back.

They have held their past four opponents to 3.25 yards per carry.

THE 3-4 DEFENSE

The Hurricanes also must prepare for Virginia's 3-4 defense and a talented group of linebackers led by Clint Sintim, Jon Copper and Antonio Appleby.

''It's like when you play old-days option football -- it takes time to catch up with the speed and execution,'' Shannon said. ``This 3-4 team you don't see. This conference, Maryland maybe dabbles in it a little bit. But actually running the 3-4, Virginia's the only team that runs it.''

Whether UM must rely on its running game this week against the Cavaliers or another game down the stretch, Cooper and James both said they are ready to grind out yards.

''Winning is all that matters,'' Cooper said. ``We're not selfish. We just keep working, and if a big game comes for the run game, we'll be happy.''


 

Cavs meet Canes in battle of red-hot teams
By Jay Jenkins
Published: October 31, 2008

It took Virginia over a month and back-to-back victories over ranked opponents to climb into first place in the ACC’s Coastal Division.

At noon today inside of Scott Stadium, the Cavaliers (5-3, 3-1 ACC) will attempt to stay there.

Miami (5-3, 2-2) may have other ideas, riding a three-game winning streak and using last season’s 48-point loss to Virginia as motivation — whether the Hurricanes are willing to admit it or not.

“We are a different team,” second-year Miami coach Randy Shannon said. “Some of the older guys, you may talk to them and they will say, yeah, they remember it, but most of the guys were in high school trying to win state championships and playoff games.

“Revenge sometimes can hurt you, because it is all built up inside of you. You have to make sure you go into the game with a fresh mind. Most people make mistakes when they are tired or mad. You are going to say something wrong or you are going to make a mistake in those situations. So, we won’t be tired and we won’t be upset. We are going to be positive.”

Virginia needs just one win to become eligible for postseason play, something that would have seemed nearly impossible after falling to 1-3 overall following a disappointing loss at Duke.

The Cavaliers also control their own destiny in the pursuit of a berth in the ACC championship game on Dec. 6.

“We might not win another game. We might win them all,” Virginia coach Al Groh said. “I can see where every one of them is going to be hard to win and I can see where every one of them, we’ve got a chance. I think the players see that, too.”

Virginia’s remarkable turnaround has gotten the attention of the ACC.

“They are playing a lot better than earlier in the season, but that’s typical of coach Groh,” Shannon said. “He does a great job of getting his guys responding later from earlier in the season. It’s always best to have the NFL mentality of late in the season is when you want to do your best, and I think they are doing a great job of doing that right now.

“They are not a team that makes a lot of mistakes. They are very well coached. They do a great job of getting guys in right situations — offense, defense and special teams. They execute what they want to get done to win games.”

It’s no coincidence that the Cavaliers’ current winning streak came with running back Cedric Peerman clicking on all cylinders. The senior has averaged 111 yards per game during the streak and reached the end zone six times.

Virginia quarterback Marc Verica has also helped spark the resurgence and currently ranks fifth in the ACC in passing.

“I’m just a small piece of the puzzle,” said Verica, who threw a pair of touchdown passes last week. “But I am so proud of the resolve and character of our team and how we came back.”

Miami has also won with a relative unknown signal-caller operating the offense.

Redshirt freshman Robert Marve has averaged just 118 yards per game passing, but has seven scoring passes and accounted for 209 yards of total offense in the Hurricanes’ 16-10 win over Wake Forest last week.

“I think the biggest thing is knowing when to be smart with the play,” Marve said. “Knowing when is a good time to force the ball and when it is not good to force the ball. That is probably the biggest thing I am still trying to get.”

 

Line play keys UVa’s resurgence
By Jerry Ratcliffe
Published: October 31, 2008

When George O’Leary had it going at Georgia Tech back in the ‘90s, just before he left for Notre Dame, he gave away the secret to his success.
O’Leary said his priority every year in recruiting was to scour the country to find the best offensive linemen that he and his coaching staff could lure to Atlanta. The practice worked pretty well, but it revealed to fans what every coach knows: if you can control the line of scrimmage, you can do whatever you want offensively.
Certainly, there have been many factors in Virginia’s reversal of fortunes on the football field over the past month: a quarterback who gets it, a tough-minded defense, the return of Cedric Peerman and Kevin Ogletree’s ability to stretch opposing defenses, just to name a few.
One that is often overlooked is the steady improvement of the offensive line.
Making the leap
“A big, huge leap,” is how UVa coach Al Groh described it. “As we evaluated it on Aug. 4, it was a leap that was going to be necessary. Expected, but not guaranteed.”
The coaching staff, mainly O-line coach Dave Borbely, wasn’t worried about the Cavs’ bookend tackles — Eugene Monroe on the left and Will Barker on the right. Monroe, who has 24 career starts, is the best collegiate left tackle in the nation. Barker, who has 33 career starts, has been at his spot since his freshman season.
It was the middle of the sandwich that worried everyone. Sophomore B.J. Cabbell, a homegrown kid from Nelson County High, was inexperienced at right guard, while sophomore Jack Shields was green at center. Zak Stair, a senior, had clocked some time at various locations on the line and was ready for his turn at left guard.
Still, the offensive line has to be a cohesive unit. It’s one of those deals where they have to anticipate each other’s moves and have trust in one another.
Former UVa All-American guard Elton Brown once said that if you look over and see fear in the eyes of your fellow offensive linemen, then you know things aren’t going to go well.
Cavs come together
That sort of bond, a trust, only comes from playing time and practice. It doesn’t just happen magically overnight. There’s no Offensive Line Fairy who sprinkles fairy dust over a group of big uglies as they sleep. It comes from blood, sweat, and sometimes tears.
Even UVa’s plans didn’t remain totally intact with this group of wide bodies. Stair went down with an injury and that placed incredible pressure on
17-year-old Austin Pasztor, a Canadian transplant, to start at left guard, where he has played admirably (he was named ACC rookie of the week for his play against Maryland).
Monroe and Barker have also been singled out as ACC offensive linemen of the week. And with good reason.
So far, Virginia leads the ACC in sack prevention. The Cavaliers’ line has given up only nine sacks in eight games (1.13 per game). That’s also the 18th-best figure in the nation.
Only powerful Southern California got more than one (in the season opener). The Trojans have recorded 18 sacks in seven games. Last week, Georgia Tech’s aggressive defense, boasting the nation’s top defensive end prospect in Michael Johnson, only got one sack in 41 UVa pass attempts.
That came against Monroe, who is ranked as the best left tackle on draft guru Mel Kiper’s board (Johnson is ranked as the best DE on that board).
Barker was named the ACC’s top lineman last week, an improvement that Groh and Borbely were glad to see. Groh acknowledged that Barker’s play has picked up since an off-the-field incident involving beer at a nightspot in town, had been resolved.
“I haven’t asked him about that, but I think that’s realistic,” Groh said of the case. “It’s a weighty matter to hang over any kid’s head, particularly when it’s given probably the unnecessary public scrutiny that it got. He’s a kid who tries to do the right thing and it bothered him. Probably once that deck was properly cleared, it enabled him to relax a little bit.”
Cabbell, known as a guy with a lot of physical punch, has perhaps somewhat surprised people with his mobility. He has pulled from right guard to lead some devastating sweeps around left end, clearing the way for the hard-running Cedric Peerman.
Pasztor and Shields have been steadily improving as well. Groh calls the addition of Pasztor a good thing for the line.
“He’s a rough and tumble, physical presence,” Groh said. “He’s a little bit raw, but his injection has been positive.”
Not only has Virginia’s line protected rookie quarterback Marc Verica, but it has opened up big holes and adequate cracks in opposing lines for Peerman and others to blow through.
The Cavaliers’ running attack jumped from an average of 66 yards on the ground in the first four games to 146.8 in the last four.
As any coach will tell you, the run opens up the pass, and the pass (particularly play-action) opens up the run. Remember what we said about controlling the line of scrimmage allowing offenses to do whatever they want?
That’s what’s going on with the Wahoos thanks to this line.
The left side of the line could be renamed the Monroe-Pasztor Mountain Range. Monroe stands 6-foot-6, 315 pounds and Pasztor — only 17 years old — is 6-6, 310.
Verica said he had never been around human beings this large in his life, but he’s sure glad they’re on his side.
Cabbell isn’t exactly a lightweight at 6-6, 304.
When a defensive end or linebacker sees all that coming their way, along with a fullback and tight end, it must be horrifying.
“Fortunately ever one of the five is playing better now than they did in the beginning and collectively as a group, they’re playing much more cohesively,” Groh said.
If Virginia is to keep its winning streak intact at high noon against a young, fast Miami team, then the offensive linemen are going to be the key. Give them the credit they deserve.


 

Cavs take narrow loss to Terrapins
By Whitey Reid
Published: October 31, 2008

In some games this season, Virginia has not come out with fire. In some, they haven’t had the focus. In others, they’ve been the victim of some bad luck.

Very rarely this season has Virginia beaten itself.

That may have been the case on Friday night at Klockner Stadium when UVa ran into a red-hot Maryland squad that knew how to capitalize on mental errors.

In a physical, sometimes chippy game — the contest featured three yellow cards and three reds — the No. 4 Terrapins handed Virginia a 2-1 defeat.

Virginia coach George Gelnovatch, who saw two of his players get ejected, had mixed feelings about his team’s performance.

“We were down [a man] the last 25 minutes and they didn’t get a shot,” said Gelnovatch, whose team outshot Maryland 9-4. “We played our hearts out and played pretty well. To come out of here with that result is hard to swallow.

“Part of me is pretty upset at the two guys who got thrown off. It was careless. They weren’t thinking. But the other part of me is very happy with how the rest of the guys played.”

Maryland (14-3, 5-2 ACC) took a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute when Jeremy Hall, deep in the box, blasted a shot past Virginia goalie Michael Giallombardo.

Giallombardo lunged to his right and appeared to stop the low liner. However, the ball was shot with such force and from such close range that he couldn’t get full control, and it trickled past him, barely crossing the goal line.

“I have to see it on film,” Gelnovatch said, “but it looked like he kind of had a play on it, but it wiggled under his arm.”

In the 36th minute, the game briefly took a turn in Virginia’s favor when Maryland’s Jason Herrick was hit with a red card after he took down Ross LaBauex. That gave UVa a man advantage.

However, just six minutes into the second half, Virginia’s Matt Mitchell was hit with a red card of his own. From there, the teams played 10-on-10.

“We talked about it at halftime—when a referee throws out a player on one team, he’s looking for a reason to throw out somebody on the other team,” Gelnovatch said. “We had to play smart and we [didn’t].”

Virginia (9-6-1, 4-3) had a great chance to tie the game in the 66th minute when a Maryland defender accidentally chipped a Jonathan Villanueva free kick right to Jimmy Simpson. Standing all alone in front of the Terrapins’ net, Simpson angled a one-timer just wide.

Shortly after, Maryland made it 2-0 on a Graham Zusi penalty kick.

Then, just 43 seconds later, Virginia’s Brian Ownby was hit with a red card. That forced UVa to overcome a two-goal deficit while playing a man down.

In the 74th minute, LaBauex took a long through ball from Neil Barlow and beat Maryland goalie Zach MacMath to make it 2-1.

“Neil gave me a great ball and I was just able to put it into the net,” LeBauex said.

Maryland went into full protect-the-lead mode there. Still, Virginia was able to generate a plethora of quality chances. They just weren’t able to punch in the equalizer.

“It was a tough game,” LaBauex said. “We all left it out on the field — a call here or a call there. Sometimes that happens in soccer.

“The guys gave it our all. We just have to move forward and get ready for our next game against Wake Forest.”

Throw-ins

The 1993 Virginia NCAA championship team was honored at the half. Several former players, including former World Cup standout Claudio Reyna, were on hand. … Maryland continues to lead the all-time series with UVa. The Terrapins are 34-26-7 in matchups dating back to 1941.

 

Cavs look to defend title
By Bart Isley
Published: November 1, 2008

It’ll be a slightly different setting for the first time in three years, but Virginia looks poised for another strong showing at the ACC cross country championships today.

The Cavaliers head to Chapel Hill, N.C., for the ACC meet this year after hosting the event for two straight years at Panorama Farms. This year they’ll know a lot less about the course, but the rankings indicate the men’s team will be right in the thick of a three-way race to defend its title.

“I think this team, a year ago, was wondering if they can do it and was optimistic that they could do it,” said cross country coach Jason Vigilante, a former N.C. State runner and All-ACC honoree who is in his first year as the Cavaliers’ leader. “I think one of our strengths is that we’ve done it before and we know we can do it again.”

The Cavs’ stiffest competition will likely come from Florida State and N.C. State. The Wolfpack and the Cavaliers have traded titles the last three seasons, while the Seminoles have climbed to No. 15 in the national rankings, just one spot behind the No. 14 Cavaliers.

Andy Biladeau, Ryan Foster and Emil Heineking — all three All-ACC honoroees last season after finishing 2-3-4 at the ACC race — return to help the Cavaliers defend the championship. Seniors Foster and Biladeau will be in their final ACC title race, while Heineking, a former Ohio state champion, will try and match or better his breakout performance at last year’s Championships, where he won conference freshman of the year honors before earning All-American honors at the national meet.

“[Heineking] struggled at pre-nationals, but he was our first guy at the George Mason meet,” Vigilante said. “Andy Biladeau and Ryan Foster have always been rock solid for us, their training is going tremendously well and they’ve both been there and done that.”

A number of other talented young runners will join that trio on the course, including Ryan Collins, a sophomore who redshirted during cross country last season and will race in the ACC meet for the first time. Collins finished first at pre-nationals.

“I’ve been really pumped for this season — I watched the guys last year run away with it and they were fired up about it,” Collins said. “To be a part of that and potentially win it again would be a real big goal.”

The Cavalier women also appear to be in position to challenge for a spot in the top three. Stephanie Garcia, a junior from Broad Run High who is the ACC’s defending steeplechase champion, senior Lauretta Dezubay, who finished fifth for the Cavaliers at the 2006 NCAA Championships, and freshman Morgane Gay, the Cavs’ second finisher at pre-nationals, lead the way for Virginia. The Cavaliers have a number of strong young runners that are still developing, which bodes well for the future.

The Cavaliers have also adopted the focus of trying to maintain strength and run well year round rather than trying to peak for a single race.

“We want to be able to run well at the ACCs, but I wouldn’t say we’ve trained to peak right now,” Dezubay said. “ We’ve focused on always being fit, trying to run year round. We don’t necessarily waste a lot emotional energy in one race.”

Florida State, the No. 3 squad nationally, should have the title wrapped up behind defending ACC individual champ Susan Kuijken.

“I would think, barring catastrophe, that they’re in perfect position to take the title,” Vigilante said. “And they’ve earned it.”

Look for local product Tasmin Fanning, a former Western Albemarle star who now runs for Virginia Tech, to put together a high finish in the women’s race — she finished fourth at last year’s ACC Championships.

The Cavaliers’ squads will be looking to make a statement, and it appears they have the runners to do so.

“Our goal is to be one of the best middle distance and distance programs in the country, and part of that, in the fall, is a conference championship,” Vigilante said. “It’s a cornerstone of the season.”