UVa Injury Report for Miami Game
Nov. 5, 2009
7:35 p.m.
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Below is the injury report that UVa released Thursday night,
as per ACC policy. Virginia (2-2, 3-5) visits ACC rival Miami (3-2, 6-2) at noon
Saturday.
Out None
Doubtful QB Jameel Sewell (shoulder)
Questionable LB Aaron Clark (knee)
DE Matt Conrath (ankle)
Probable DE Nate Collins (hip)
LB Steve Greer (shoulder)
RB Rashawn Jackson (arm)
DL Nate Collins (leg)
DE Zane Parr (knee)
S Brandon Woods (shoulder)
UVa's sports medicine staff, under the direction of Dr. David Diduch, compiled
the injury report, whose categories are defined as follows:
Probable: Virtually certain to be available for normal duty
Questionable: 50-50 chance will not play
Doubtful: At least 75-percent chance will not play
Out: Definitely will not play
-- Jeff White
Conrath Could Return for Miami Game
Nov. 5, 2009
12:58 p.m.
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- In about six hours, UVa will release its injury report for
Saturday's football game against ACC rival Miami at Land Shark Stadium.
If defensive end Matt Conrath will be available against the Hurricanes, Al Groh,
not surprisingly, didn't let on during his weekly Thursday morning
teleconference with reporters.
Conrath, who's been back at practice this week, hasn't played since severely
spraining his right ankle in the final minute of the first half Oct. 17 at
Maryland. The 6-7, 270-pound redshirt sophomore had been having the best season
of any player on UVa's defense, Groh has said several times.
"As you might imagine, we're kind of interested in his status, too," Groh said
Thursday, adding that the status "changes every day. We're hopeful that it
changes again today and that we'll have a chance to get some plays out of him.
He certainly would be very helpful to us."
Conrath has made 26 tackles, including three for loss, broken up three passes,
blocked a kick and recovered a fumble in his 5 ½ games this season.
"The strength of his game is on a play-to-play basis," Groh said. "He does a lot
of things really well with his game. I've used this term before, and it
certainly fits Matt: He's one of these players that the game really makes sense
to him.
"He just has a good idea how blocking schemes indicate whether the ball's going,
and the different leverage that the blocker's trying to use. He makes very good
decisions on his feet and very good reactions."
Here's a link to today's release from the ACC about its bowl lineup for the
2010, '11, '12 and '13 seasons.
-- Jeff White
Hot Topic: UVa's Use of True Freshmen
Nov. 5, 2009
12:08 p.m.
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Among UVa football fans, as well as reporters who cover the
team, Topic A this week has been Al Groh's decision to play Connor McCartin and
Paul Freedman against Duke.
McCartin, who played when UVa received kickoffs, and Freedman, a reserve tight
end, became the 13th and 14th true freshmen to see action for Groh's team this
season. That's as many as Groh has used in a season at Virginia. Most years he's
played no more than seven.
UVa (2-2, 3-5) meets Coastal Division rival Miami (3-2, 6-2) at noon Saturday at
Land Shark Stadium in South Florida.
Here's a list of the true freshmen who have played for Virginia this season,
with the number of games in which each has appeared:
Will Hill -- 8
Tim Smith -- 8
Perry Jones -- 7
Quintin Hunter -- 6
LaRoy Reynolds -- 6
Drew Jarrett -- 4
Tucker Windle -- 4
LoVante Battle -- 3
Dominique Wallace -- 3*
Oday Aboushi -- 2
Javanti Sparrow -- 2
Corey Lillard -- 1
Paul Freedman -- 1
Connor McCartin -- 1
* Wallace suffered a season-ending foot injury Sept. 19 and is expected to get
the year of eligibility back.
Sparrow hasn't played since the Oct. 10 game against Indiana. Lillard's only
appearance -- a total of eight snaps -- came Oct. 3 at North Carolina.
Here's another list, with the number of true freshmen UVa has played in each of
Groh's nine seasons as coach:
2001 -- 6
2002 -- 14
2003 -- 7
2004 -- 10
2005 -- 11
2006 -- 1
2007 -- 5
2008 -- 5
2009 - 14*
* Through eight games
-- Jeff White
UVa Insider, The Column Doug Doughty
Don’t think for a moment that Virginia coach Al Groh’s decision to “pull”
redshirts off 14 true freshmen has escaped the notice of the players families
and coaches.
One of those players, defensive back Corey Lillard, played on special teams in
Virginia’s Oct. 3 game at North Carolina and hasn’t played again.
Lillard played at Liberty High School in Bealeton, located just over an hour’s
drive from Charlottesville in Fauquier County. Liberty-Bealeton hasn’t been a
pipeline for Virginia, so Lillard was a good “get” for the Cavaliers.
Coach Tommy Buzzo would like to have good relations with the Cavaliers, but he’d
also like for Lillard’s eight plays against North Carolina not to cost him a
year’s eligibility.
“We talk all the time,” Buzzo said. “He’s a great kid. He keeps in great
communication with me. He hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
“I’m not completely up on the rules but, having played eight plays, there’s got
to be something the University of Virginia can do to re-attain that redshirt.”
Buzzo said that Lillard had a hamstring injury that limited his work early in
the season. The NCAA will accept hardship appeals from players who have not
played in more than 30 percent of a team’s games and can document an
incapacitating injury before the midpoint of the season.
“I would really hope that they would do that to get him a year of education and
a complete year of eligibility,” Buzzo said.
IF YOU WANT TO be a really good second-guesser, sometimes you’ve got to
second-guess yourself.
Two judgments that I made following the 2008 college football season don’t look
very good in hindsight.
First was my prediction that Virginia wide receiver Kevin Ogletree had received
some bad advice when he elected to bypass his final season of college
eligibility.
Second was my criticism of former Virginia linebackers and special-teams coach
Bobby Diaco for resigning and taking the defensive coordinator’s job at
Cincinnati.
In Diaco’s case, it wasn’t so much that he had made a bad career move but that
he basically had looked a gift horse in the mouth.
Virginia already had made the announcement that Diaco would be elevated to
defensive coordinator, succeeding Bob Pruett, who had retired. To me, Diaco had
not distinguished himself to the degree that he merited a promotion of that
nature.
I would have thought that leaving the defensive coordinator’s post at Virginia
for the same position at Cincinnati was a lateral move.
Shows me how much I know. If Diaco had stayed at UVa, he would have been
vacating his office in another month. At Cincinnati, he is one of the top aides
on a Bearcats team that is undefeated, ranked No. 4 by The Associated Press and
probably headed to a BCS bowl.
Heck, I’ve even heard Diaco’s name in connection with an anticipated Virginia
opening. That’s not going to happen but I could see Diaco getting a Division I-A
or I-AA head-coaching job somewhere.
Also, if he had stayed at Virginia, Diaco would have been defensive coordinator
in name only. Groh basically coordinates his own defense (and, for the most
part, has done a good job at that). Presumably, Diaco has more autonomy at
Cincinnati, where head coach Brian Kelly has a defensive background but is best
known for his teams’ offensive prowess.
AS FOR OGLETREE, I’m still convinced that agent Joe Flanagan sold him a bill of
goods. Remember, it was Ogletree who said on the day of his declaration that he
wouldn’t have made the move if he didn’t think he would be drafted.
Ogletree wasn’t drafted, but he made the Dallas Cowboys’ opening-day roster and
last Sunday had the first catch of his NFL career. Ogletree had a 19-yard
reception on the same day that his fellow rookie from UVa, tight end John
Phillips, had his first reception (for no gain) in a 38-17 victory over Seattle.
Presumably, Ogletree makes the NFL rookie minimum, which is $310,000. Even if he
had stayed at Virginia and been drafted, it’s unlikely that he would have been
picked at a level that would have corresponded to a much higher salary.
Virginia, quarterbacked by an occasionally oft-target Jameel Sewell, is 3-5
without Ogletree. Where would the Cavaliers be with Ogletree? A couple more big
plays might have made a difference against William and Mary, Southern
Mississippi or Duke, but Ogletree wouldn’t have helped the Cavaliers’ blocking.
All he needed was a foot in the door and he got one for one of the NFL’s more
elite franchises. If the Cowboys make the playoffs this year, players can expect
a five-figure bonus if they don’t win a game.
Recruits are largely sticking with U-Va.
Most recruits unbowed despite Groh's uncertain future
By Zach Berman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 6, 2009
Virginia Coach Al Groh remains publicly unaffected by the mounting unrest
surrounding his future with the program, referring to a sign on the back of his
nameplate given to him by his friend, Bill Parcells: "Just coach the team."
A major part of those coaching responsibilities is recruiting, a task that often
becomes difficult when speculation about a coach's future intensifies. However,
several players who have either committed to Virginia or who are seriously
considering a scholarship offer did not express concern about Groh's future
during interviews this week. Most are taking a wait-and-see approach while
pledging confidence in Groh's coaching staff.
"It hasn't really affected my decision," said Good Counsel wide receiver E.J.
Scott, who was one of the first players to commit to Virginia from the class of
2010. "I'm staying positive that they can turn this around. But U-Va. was a good
fit for me when I committed this summer, and it's still a good fit for me."
One Virginia target, Good Counsel cornerback Louis Young, said opposing coaches
are using the perceived uncertainty of Groh's future against the Cavaliers.
Although they do not explicitly tell Young that Groh could lose his job, they
question his stability.
"Just kind of throwing it out there, a little hint here, hint there, like: 'Do
you know the situation there? What's going on with the season?' " Young said. "I
can read between the lines a lot, with the coaches and their antics about trying
to recruit players. I think over this period of going through the process,
you're able to understand certain techniques of coaches."
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The Cavaliers' number of verbal commitments remains small for this late in the
year. Virginia has 11 oral commitments from the class of 2010, the lowest total
in the ACC according to the recruiting service Rivals.com. By comparison,
Maryland has 18 commitments and Virginia Tech has 20. Recruits may not sign
letters-of-intent until the first Wednesday in February.
The small number of recruits who have committed to Virginia could be attributed
to the available scholarships next season. The Cavaliers have only 11 outgoing
scholarship seniors, although several more scholarships became available after
offseason transfers.
Nonetheless, Virginia has missed out on some top recruiting targets. Quarterback
Tyler Brosius from Waynesville, N.C., de-committed from Virginia and pledged to
North Carolina State earlier in the season, although his public comments suggest
the decision had more to do with the lure of the in-state Wolfpack than the
Cavaliers' record.
Virginia has scholarship offers out to some of the notable available players in
the region, such as Young and Woodberry Forest linebacker Aramide Olaniyan, a
Bowie native.
Both emphasized that academics are among the priorities in their decision, which
would keep Virginia near the top of the list regardless of the coaching
situation.
"It factors into my decision somewhat," Olaniyan said about Groh's future. "It's
something I'll take into consideration, but before anything, I'll look at the
academics first."
Defensive end-linebacker Christopher Brathwaite from Holy Cross in Flushing,
N.Y., who committed to Virginia during the summer, said that he has no interest
in other programs. He said he would listen to other schools only if there were
to be a coaching change.
DeMatha defensive back Kyrrel Latimer said he's been trying to keep Virginia's
coaching staff optimistic as much as the coaching staff is keeping him confident
about Virginia. Latimer said he tells the coaching staff that they may have lost
tough games but still have an outside shot of winning the ACC.
"They're not looking bad. They're there," Latimer said. "But I don't really
think about a coaching change. I like Coach Groh a lot, and all the coaches
there. I hope and wish the best for them."
On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that Virginia Athletic Director Craig
Littlepage will make a decision on Groh's future at the end of the season. In
the meantime, the coaching staff is maintaining the status quo, this week
offering a scholarship to Gwynn Park running back Khalek Shepherd, who accepted.
And for high school players who pay no mind to a college team's grumbling fan
base, the team's lack of success can even be construed as a positive.
"I don't really pay attention to that," Shepherd said. "I just like the
University of Virginia. The whole point of picking the school is that I can come
in, and the other recruits can come in, and hopefully make an impact and turn
the program around. I look at it as a challenge, as a good chance to come in and
get playing time and hopefully turn the program around."
Groh's future becomes murkier
November 6, 2009 12:36 am
By HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTESVILLE
--Virginia coach Al Groh isn't interested in talking about whether his time at
his alma mater is soon to end.
In his mind, it's Miami week, and that means grinding into the wee hours
planning schemes to beat the No. 16 Hurricanes and abiding by the sign on his
desk: "Just coach the team."
Athletic director Craig Littlepage told The Associated Press that Groh will be
evaluated at the end of the season on his "full body of work," and he cast an
ominous cloud on that process considering the steady decline in fan support for
the struggling Cavaliers.
"Our goal is to have our fans support the team realizing that the players
continue to respond to their coaches," he wrote in an e-mail. "The players are
working hard every day to represent the University of Virginia. Fans have
various options for how they spend their Saturday afternoons; we'd like for our
fans to be in the stadium supporting our program."
Since their opener, when 54,587 watched the Cavaliers lose 26-14 to William &
Mary of the Football Championship Subdivision, crowds have dwindled at the
61,500-seat stadium. Last week, 41,713 saw Virginia lose 28-17 to Duke, its
second consecutive loss in the series. It was the smallest crowd since the
stadium was expanded for the 2001 season.
Through five home dates, the average crowd of 46,605 is almost 15,000 below
capacity. More telling, perhaps, is that the average is down more than 7,200
from last year's 5-7 team.
Groh seemed more subdued than usual on his Sunday night teleconference with
reporters, and again when he met with the media Monday, but told the AP: "I
don't feel more emotional."
He declined to say whether he has spoken to Littlepage recently about his
future.
The Cavaliers (3-5, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) have lost two straight and
head to Miami (6-2, 3-2) Saturday trying to avoid their third losing season in
four years.
On the other sideline, Miami coach Randy Shannon said he looks at the Cavaliers
in a manner that goes beyond wins and losses, and with an understanding of what
Groh is facing.
A linebacker for the then-wildly successful Hurricanes, Shannon's first team as
head coach went 5-7 and his next faltered at the end, losing three in a row to
finish at 7-6.
He, too, was on the hot seat, and said he views Groh in a very favorable light.
"Great man, great person, great coach, done a lot of great things for and at the
University of Virginia," he said. "They play hard. People don't realize that."
Shannon noted that Virginia's defense has allowed only 11 touchdowns to
opponents on 27 tries inside the Cavaliers' 20 all season.
Team hopes to weather Hurricanes, regain ground in tight ACC
race
Cavaliers will try to bounce back from several key injuries against highly
competitive Miami squad
Taylor Irvin, Cavalier Daily Staff Writer
Featured / Football / Sports / Web Exclusive
November 6, 2009 0
Facing increased pressure from fans after a series of
disappointing losses, coach Al Groh will look for his team to give a strong
showing against No. 16 Miami this weekend. Photo by Bennett Sorbo.
Facing increased pressure from fans after a series of disappointing losses,
coach Al Groh will look for his team to give a strong showing against No. 17
Miami this weekend. Photo by Bennett Sorbo.
As the Virginia football team enters the final third of its season, it is slowly
running out of time to salvage a winning record. The Cavaliers sit at 3-5 and
have lost their last two games, putting more pressure on coach Al Groh to find a
way revive his team.
“I got this little sign on my desk that says, ‘Just coach the team,’” said Groh.
“And so that’s what I like to do and that’s what my responsibility is, so I just
try to coach the team the best way I can every day.”
Virginia will have another chance to prove itself Saturday as the team travels
to Florida to take on No. 16 Miami. A win could relieve some of the pressure
that has been mounting since the beginning of the season.
Speaking of pressure, the Cavaliers will look to exert some of their own against
the Hurricanes. Virginia’s defensive line, spearheaded by senior end Nate
Collins, has been responsible for keeping the occasionally anemic offense within
striking distance and is one of the squad’s few bright spots.
Collins, who has racked up a team-high five sacks thus far, has turned in
several highlight performances in the past several games, including a crucial
interception return for a touchdown against Maryland, 10 solo and 16 total
tackles against Georgia Tech and two sacks against Duke.
“I’m just trying to play at the highest level I can, just be at the right spot
every particular play that I can be and just do the right thing to try to help
this team win,” Collins said.
As a whole, the defensive line has remained mostly stalwart, even after
sophomore end Matt Conrath injured his ankle against Maryland. His replacement,
sophomore Zane Parr, has contributed immediately to the line’s continued
effectiveness.
“I think Zane Parr is doing a wonderful job over there, stepping in,” Collins
said. “I feel like the D-line is stepping up every week and just trying to help
this team win and shut down the run like we’re supposed to and make things
easier for the guys in coverage every play.”
The unit performed particularly well against Duke, totaling six sacks last
Saturday. Of Virginia’s 16 total sacks this season, the line has accounted for
12.5.
The line’s ability to ramp up pressure on the quarterback will be a key
component of Virginia’s plan this weekend as well. Although the Hurricanes’
offense does not rely nearly as exclusively on an air attack as Duke’s,
sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris has already thrown for more than 2,000 yards
and 16 touchdowns this season. Getting to Harris early and often would help
Virginia’s cornerbacks cover Miami’s speedy receivers, junior Leonard Hankerson
and sophomore Travis Benjamin.
“All across 22 positions, most obviously is wide receivers and guys who can get
vertically up the field,” Groh said about Miami’s all-around speed. “It shows in
kick coverage, it shows in pass-rushers off the edge, it certainly shows in
defensive backs closing on the ball.”
It will take more than a quick, effective pass rush to defeat Miami, however, as
Virginia will need to find a productive offensive game plan of its own. In
losses to Georgia Tech and Duke, the Cavaliers’ offense mustered only 198 and
196 total yards, respectively. Miami’s offense, meanwhile, averages 388 yards
per game.
Many of Virginia’s recent offensive woes might stem from ailing senior
quarterback Jameel Sewell, who has been slowly recovering from an injury.
“Usually with those things, just the grinding on them and whatnot, it takes a
significant down period for it just to get fully calmed down,” Groh said.
Several factors on both sides of the ball, therefore, will need to fall into
place for Virginia to win this weekend. Players are fighting to keep pressure on
Miami’s passing attack and off Groh, Collins said.
“I feel like he’s a great defensive coach,” Collins said. “He breathes, sleeps
and eats football, and I think once people will realize that, it wears off on
them.”
Miami Hurricanes' line must serve and protect
The Hurricanes offensive line plans better protection for Jacory Harris, who has
been sacked 20 times in the past five games.
BY MANNY NAVARRO
mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com
Jason Fox held out his hands like a proud warrior eager to show off his battle
scars. From his thumbs to his pinkies, the University of Miami's starting left
tackle pointed to each of his fingers that were either broken, mangled or
completely exposed without fingernails.
``It's just bumps and bruises,'' grinned Fox, set to make his 45th career start
at noon Saturday against Virginia (3-5, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Land
Shark Stadium.
``That's football. That's the season. Everybody is beat up. But I'd be lying to
you if I told your our bodies didn't feel it going out there and hitting every
week. I'm happy coach is taking it a little easier on us in practice now.
Because the team that can push through [injuries] and not get complacent is the
one that is going to win games down the stretch.''
The Hurricanes (6-2, 3-2) have taken quite a few licks in their first eight
games -- mostly on defense.
But the offensive line, where Fox is among six iron men who have taken the
majority of the snaps this season, hasn't been spared either. Fox ``banged up''
his left knee against Clemson doing what he and the rest of UM's offensive line
have been asked to do a lot more of lately -- play on their heels and try to
protect quarterback Jacory Harris from the blitz.
UM did a good job protecting the quarterback early this season, allowing only
four sacks in the first three games. But opponents have found leaks in the
Canes' pass protection schemes lately with different blitz packages.
THE KITCHEN SINK
Last week, Wake Forest got to Harris five times, bringing the total to 20 sacks
in the past five games.
``People are just throwing the whole kitchen sink at us and hoping they get
there before Jacory lets go of the ball,'' Fox said. ``We're doing the best we
can. But when they're blitzing seven guys and we only have six guys to protect,
somebody is going to get through.''
The Cavaliers, ranked 34th nationally in total defense (329.3 yards per game)
and 40th in scoring defense (21.8 ppg), don't blitz often. But they are
averaging two sacks a game (16 this season) and present problems for the
Hurricanes in various ways, including being the only ACC team to run the 3-4
defense.
``We've seen the 3-4, but they run it differently,'' Fox said. ``It's a very
unique defense. It's an NFL-type defense. It's not a penetrating-type defense.
It's reading and reacting.''
UM coach Randy Shannon said: ``Defensively, they play eight-man fronts.
Sometimes they'll line up and play man coverage the whole entire game. They're
just going to try and out-execute you.''
PLAYMAKERS
The Cavaliers have several playmakers on defense. Defensive end Nate Collins has
been named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice, making 35 of his 57 tackles
during the past three weeks. He leads Virginia in sacks with five.
Ras-I Dowling (6-2, 200) was named to the All-ACC Preseason Team and is fourth
on the team with 40 tackles.
He and fellow cornerback Chris Cook (6-2, 210) have combined for 11 career
interceptions and 39 pass breakups and are part of a secondary that has given up
just four passing touchdowns all season.
It wasn't until last week against Duke that the Cavaliers finally allowed an
opponent to throw for more than 200 yards.
Another Virginia defensive strength: red-zone stops. Of the 27 times opponents
have driven inside the Cavaliers 20-yard line, they have forced 15 field goals.
``We got out of the running game early last week because we were down. But we
plan on running the ball a lot more this week,'' UM center A.J. Trump said.
``Virginia doesn't blitz as much on film. But every week we say that, and we end
up seeing more blitzes. We just have to do a better job winning the battle up
front.''
Good news on injury front for Miami Hurricanes
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BY MANNY NAVARRO
mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com
The Miami Hurricanes still have a significant number of injuries they are
dealing with. But it looks like at least a few players could return this week
against Virginia.
Running back Javarris James, who missed the Wake Forest game with a lower
extremity injury, has been listed as probable along with safety Randy Phillips
(torn labrum). Defensive end Andrew Smith, who also didn't play against Wake
Forest, was not listed on the injury report and is expected back.
Senior defensive end Eric Moncur (groin) has missed three games this season,
including two of the past three. He is listed as doubtful.
Listed out as expected: safety Ray Ray Armstrong (lower extremity); fullback
Patrick Hill (ankle); safety Jojo Nicolas (upper extremity); and linebacker Sean
Spence (lower extremity).
Rathjen takes path less traveled
By Jay Jenkins
Published: November 6, 2009
» 0 Comments | Post a Comment
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Nathan Rathjen had just finished his pre-game meal when he was summoned by
assistant coach Ron Prince.
Virginia’s back-up punter was suddenly having his status changed. Hours later
against Duke, the junior would become assume starting status.
He promptly sent a text message to his parents, but admits it was a bittersweet
moment.
As one might expect, Rathjen and former starter Jimmy Howell were essentially
attached at the hip throughout the past two seasons.
“We talked about it and since we are good friends we both
support each other,” Rathjen admitted. “There’s not really a huge competition.
Whatever one is kicking, you are not wishing that they mess up because overall
we want the success of our team.”
Rathjen boomed his first punt 50 yards, but settled into pedestrian figures over
his final five punts. For the game, he averaged 40.2 yards and dropped one
inside the 20-yard line.
“I think with any player … when you are out there and doing your job, which
tends to happen when you are nervous, you just go out there and do your job,”
Rathjen said of going through the motions. “It is real different from practice
and we try to make it ordinary.
“When I got out there I was able to get a little bit more comfortable.”
It was not his career debut. That came against Texas Christian when he held was
in as the holder on a placement kick and ran the option on a
two-play that was snuffed out after Rathjen pitched to kicker Robert Randolph,
who was drilled.
“Rob gives me a hard time about that,” he said with a smile. “I saw myself about
to get hit. I wasn’t about to go down with the ball when I had that option.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t fare out too well.”
Rathjen’s path to playing time was far from normal.
After joining the team as a recruited walk-on in 2006, Rathjen left the program
the following year, only to return last year to battle Howell.
The opportunity never developed as Howell, then a rookie, handled all 64 punts.
Rathjen could have pursued opportunities at a lower level, but elected to stay
at UVa after developing friendships and longing to remain close to his family
that resides in Loudon County.
Given the speed that Miami (6-2, 3-2 ACC) possesses on special teams, Rathjen is
aware that attention to detail will be necessary on Saturday.
What is at stake in the game is also a focal point for the special teams units —
with a loss the Cavaliers (3-5, 2-2) will be forced to run the table to become
eligible for the postseason.
Another loss would only add fuel to the fire that the 2009 season will be the
final campaign for Virginia coach Al Groh, whose performance will be reviewed
after the season by
athletic department
officials.
How do the players handle that pressure?
“That’s a tough question, as you could imagine, but we just have to move on,”
Rathjen said. “We can’t dwell on what has happened in the past. Coach Groh uses
the saying the bull doesn’t care and I think that’s real appropriate right now.
“We have a very tough opponent and they are a good team and if we don’t go out
there and prepare, if we dwell on the past and what’s happened previously it is
going to make it tougher.”
Freshman Evans gives UVa depth
By Whitey Reid
Published: November 6, 2009
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If Jontel “Bub” Evans sees significant playing time this season, he’ll have his
father, Walter Evans, and a guy named Howard Champblee to thank. They were
Evans’ AAU coaches when he first started getting serious about basketball at the
age of 10.
“They put it into our minds at a very young age that you have to stop people,”
said Evans, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound point guard from Hampton. “You have to play
defense.”
When you consider that doing so is one of the fastest routes for a freshman
player to earn playing time, Evans could be in good shape as he begins his
college career. Factor in that he’ll be playing for one of the most
defensive-minded coaches in the country in Tony Bennett, and he could be in
excellent shape.
After practice on Thursday, Bennett said that Evans — a former high school
gridiron star who had scholarship offers from the likes of N.C. State — is one
of the team’s better on-the-ball defenders.
“He’s a bulldog on the ball,” Bennett said. “He’s a real hard worker. He has a
mindset to get after it.
“He’s so strong. You can see the explosiveness from his
football days. He was probably a heck of a running back when he played.”
Added Virginia guard Sammy Zeglinski: “He’s really quick laterally. You can tell
he was a football player in high school. He definitely can play some good
defense and is going to be a contributor this year.”
Bennett said that he has not decided on a definite rotation yet, although he
confessed to having a pretty good idea of who will be in his starting lineup for
next Friday’s season opener versus Longwood.
With Calvin Baker (knee) out of action for at least a couple of weeks, Evans
might have the chance to see some early playing time.
“I think my [defense] will get me minutes because coach Bennett is real big on
defense,” Evans said, “and that’s my strength.”
While Evans’ defense looks to be up to ACC snuff, his offense is still clearly a
work in progress.
Over the summer, the coaching staff helped him reconfigure his shot. Evans had
been shooting his jumper on the way down instead of the way up.
“When I came here at the beginning of the summer, my shot was terrible…but they
worked with me throughout the whole summer to make me feel comfortable with my
shot and
everything’s getting better,” said Evans, who played AAU ball with fellow
freshman Tristan Spurlock before getting to Virginia. “It has a long ways to go,
but it’s gotten a lot better.”
Dunks
Virginia has a closed-door scrimmage with St. John’s on Sunday…Sophomore Assane
Sene missed practice for “personal reasons,” according to Bennett…Senior Calvin
Baker’s knee appears to be improving. “I hope that thing will be OK,” Bennett
said. “He’s been moving around pretty good. I think he could have tried to gut
through it, but who knows what complications would have occurred.”
White: 'Hoos Happy To Be Home for ACC Tourney
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 11/04/2009
By Jeff White
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- In NCAA field hockey, the center of the universe for the next
few days will be the University Hall Turf Field.
That's the site of the six-team ACC tournament, which starts Thursday with two
first-round games. No. 4 seed Wake Forest meets No. 5 seed Boston College at 1
p.m., and third-seeded UVa and sixth-seeded Duke will follow at 3:30 p.m.
Rounding out the field are top-seeded Maryland and No. 2 seed North Carolina,
which drew first-round byes.
To call this an elite event would be understating things. In the latest National
Field Hockey Coaches Association poll, Maryland is ranked No. 1, UNC is No. 2,
Virginia is No. 3, Wake is No. 6, BC is No. 9 and Duke is No. 14.
Given that, the Cavaliers (16-2) couldn't be happier about playing in familiar
surroundings.
"Anytime you can get the slightest edge, even if it's 1 percent, when you're
playing against all the top teams in the country, you gotta try," UVa coach
Michele Madison said.
"The fans have been phenomenal all year, and we just need them to pack the
stands again. The kids love to play at home and on their home field."
The Wahoos are 8-1 at home this season, the loss coming Oct. 17 in overtime to
UNC. The other defeat was to Maryland, Oct. 2 in College Park.
"I feel like every time we play at home, we play really well," said sophomore
forward Paige Selenski, the team's leading scorer with 51 points -- 34 more than
the next Cavalier, sophomore midfielder Inga Stockel.
The 'Hoos are assured a spot in the 16-team NCAA tournament. Four teams are
awarded regionals in that tourney, but there's no guarantee that three of them
will be from the ACC, the national rankings notwithstanding.
For the Cavaliers to play at home in the NCAAs, they probably need to win at
least twice in the ACC tourney. The UVa-Duke winner will face UNC in the
semifinals Friday.
Much is at stake for Virginia in this tournament, then, and the players realize
as much.
"It's there," senior Lauren Elstein said. "We're aware of it, but we're not
going to play any different."
Virginia and Duke are meeting for the second time in less than a week. The
Cavaliers rallied to beat the Blue Devils 2-1 on Saturday at the U-Hall Turf
Field.
Duke enters at 9-9. If the Devils lose Thursday, their sub-.500 record would
make them ineligible for the NCAA tournament.
"They have no hopes if they don't beat us, so they're coming with barrels
loaded," Madison said.
Elstein and Selenski admit they'd love a rematch with the Tar Heels. But they
know they have to guard against overlooking Duke. They remember what happened
early in the fall.
Two days before the Wahoos' showdown with Maryland, they struggled to win 4-3 at
Richmond.
"I think we've been caught [looking ahead] one or two times, and paid for it,"
Elstein said. "We've learned, and we've matured. We won't make that mistake
again. We gotta beat Duke to get another shot at Carolina."
This is Madison's fourth -- and best -- team at UVa, and her only seniors are
Elstein and Traci Ragukas.
"We haven't peaked yet, and I guess that's a good thing," Madison said, "that
we've played that well and we haven't played our best hockey consistently for a
whole game yet."
Virginia advances to semis
By Ben Gomez Daily Progress correspondent
Published: November 6, 2009
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nowBuzz up!
The No. 3 Virginia women’s field hockey team defeated No. 14 Duke 3-1 Thursday
night in the first round of the ACC tournament.
The Cavaliers (17-2, 3-2 ACC) advance to play No. 2 North Carolina in the
semifinals today at 6 p.m. at the University Hall Turf Field.
No. 1 Maryland and fourth-seeded Wake Forest start semifinal action at 4 p.m.
The Demon Deacons beat fifth-seeded Boston College 4-3 Thursday to advance.
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavaliers have advanced to the
semifinals of the ACC tournament and Virginia needs only two more wins to tie
the program record for the most wins in a single season.
“We are excited with the result,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said.
“Performance-wise, we had to make some adjustments with Duke. They play a
different kind of style. We struggled a little bit with that but overall, once
we got our attack going, we were able to create some opportunities.”
The win against Duke (9-10, 0-5 ACC) was the second against the Blue Devils in
as many weeks. This week’s game had a lot of the same atmosphere, however, there
were also postseason implications on the line.
The Blue Devils came out strong as they had in their previous outing against the
Cavaliers, making it tough for Virginia to get the ball into the circle. The
Cavaliers were able to strike first with sophomore midfielder Inga Stockel
converting on a penalty corner off of an assist from senior forward Traci
Ragukas 13 minutes into the game. Corners were key for Virginia throughout the
game, as the Cavaliers were able to earn seven to Duke’s two.
In their previous meeting, Virginia was unable to convert on any of their corner
opportunities, which has been a problem for them most of the season. This time
all three of Virginia’s goals came off of corners. The Cavaliers were also able
to outshoot the Blue Devils 11-5.
Duke, unfazed by the Virginia defensive pressure, tied the game just two minutes
later as
freshman defender Abby Hassinger was able to convert on a penalty corner off of
an assist from Lauren Miller. For the next 20 minutes both teams traded shots
and looked to enter halftime knotted at 1-1.
The turning point in the game came right at the end of the first half as
Virginia was able to earn a corner with 35 seconds left. Sophomore midfielder
Paige Selenski scored off an assist from sophomore midfielder Michelle Vittese
putting the Cavaliers up
2-1 at halftime.
“Knowing that they needed to win that game to make it to NCAAs, we knew we had
to come out strong at halftime,” Selenski said. “I think it was important to
maintain the same mentality coming out in the second half.”
As the second half began, the Blue Devils had a prime opportunity to score when
senior forward Amie Survilla stole the ball from sophomore back Flor Vogels.
Survilla then passed it off and the shot just missed the goal, as it deflected
off the post. From that point, the Cavaliers were in control of the game,
earning several
corners as they continued to attack the beleaguered Duke defense until finally
they were able to gain an insurance goal.
Selenski scored her 24th goal of the season off of an assist from Stockel with
46 seconds left to play to seal the win for Virginia.
“We weren’t satisfied with just two goals,” senior back Lauren Elstein said. “We
didn’t just play defensively, we kept fighting for it. We had a couple of shots
and aggressively drew corners. We wanted to keep scoring.”
With the loss, Duke has been eliminated not only from the ACC tournament, but
also is unable to qualify for the NCAA tournament as a result of its losing
record.
“We knew Duke was going to be fighting for their life,” Madison said. “Their
backs were against the wall. If we had given a little bit of breathing room we
wouldn’t be playing North Carolina next.”
White: 'Hoos Shift Focus to Heels in ACC Field Hockey
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 11/05/2009
By Jeff White
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- It's OK for Michele Madison's players to talk about and think
about North Carolina now. But until time expired Thursday afternoon, she wanted
Duke to be the only ACC opponent on their minds.
"It took a lot of work," said Madison, UVa's fourth-year field hockey coach.
In the end, though, her team kept its focus. The third-seeded Cavaliers whipped
the sixth-seeded Blue Devils 3-1 in the ACC tournament's first round Thursday
afternoon at the University Hall Turf Field.
UVa (17-2) will face second-seeded North Carolina (16-1) in the second
semifinal, Friday at 6:30 p.m. In the teams' regular-season meeting, the Tar
Heels edged the Wahoos 2-1 in overtime at the Turf Field.
Duke closed the season at 9-10. Because the Blue Devils have a losing record,
they're not eligible for the NCAA tournament.
"Their backs were against the wall, so I knew it was going to be a tough game,"
Madison said, "and if we gave them just a little bit of breathing room, we would
not have seen North Carolina. I told the girls they had to earn the right to
play North Carolina, and that's what they did today."
The all-ACC team, announced Wednesday, includes three Cavaliers: sophomores
Paige Selenski, Inga Stöckel and Michelle Vittese. Each played a key role
against Duke.
Selenski, the team's leading scorer this season, collected Virginia's second and
third goals. Stöckel had a goal and an assist, and Vittese assisted on
Selenski's first goal.
That came 26 seconds before halftime and gave the Cavaliers a 2-1 lead.
"Yeah, it's a lot easier," Selenski said of having a halftime lead. "You feel a
lot more comfortable. You know that you're up, but you know you have to maintain
that as well."
Senior forward Lauren Elstein agreed. "If we're going in 5-1, it's a little more
comforting," she said.
Virginia's final goal, on a tip-in off a penalty corner, came with 46 seconds
left and capped a half in which Madison's team dominated play.
"What I think the team did really great today was, we weren't satisfied with
just two goals and we didn't just play defensively and play on our heels,"
Elstein said. "We kept fighting for it ... We wanted to keep scoring."
A win over UNC would probably assure Virginia one of the top four seeds in the
NCAA tournament, Madison believes. The 'Hoos are free to ponder that possibility
after handling the Devils.
"That was our big focus," Elstein said. "Think about Duke. We gotta get through
Duke first. We can't think about Friday or Sunday or anything unless we get
through Thursday first, so I think the team, the coaches, everybody was very
focused on what we needed to do, and that was beating Duke."
Clausen Launches Mustache Madness to Create Awareness for
Prostate Cancer
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 11/05/2009
Ken Clausen has started Mustache Madness in order to benefit prostate cancer
awareness and research.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - When senior defenseman Ken Clausen was on a family
vacation in Fiji last year over Christmas break, he ran into two gentlemen from
Australia. The trio struck up a conversation when they discovered a handlebar
mustache tattooed along the outside of Clausen's left forefinger, just between
the forefinger and the middle digit. During their chance encounter, Clausen
learned about a recent phenomenon, Movember, an annual event symbolized with the
growing of mustaches. The run-in thus ignited Clausen's charge for prostate
cancer awareness and the commencement of the inaugural "Mustache Madness."
During Clausen's encounter with the Aussies last Christmas, the Dowington, Pa.,
native learned that Movember was an idea sparked in 2003 in Melbourne,
Australia, and is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache,
highlighting men's issues - specifically prostate and testicular cancer. Over
$47 million has been raised since the event's inception, which is now worldwide.
"Being a part of such a prestigious lacrosse program like Virginia, we are
afforded a unique opportunity and platform to help a lot of people and have a
positive impact in people's lives," said Clausen. "I have always been looking
for something that I could do where I can reach out and help anyway I can."
With a seed already planted in Clausen to reach out and create awareness for
cancer, he found two supporters in the UVa lacrosse training room earlier this
fall. Clausen and Brown transfer Todd Faiella were in discussions of creating
such an event when new lacrosse trainer Rebecca Vozzo discussed a fundraiser she
helped spearhead at Quinnipiac when she wanted to honor her father's struggle
with prostate cancer.
Clausen's idea to involve his team in a fundraiser benefiting cancer research
finally had a set focus, thanks to Vozzo, singling out a form of cancer that
solely affects men. But he wanted to extend his charge farther than just his
teammates, as the two-time first team All-American dove into the national realm,
encompassing the sport of lacrosse in his endeavor.
Two awards will be given when the fundraiser concludes at midnight on Nov. 30.
The team that has the highest fundraising fans wins the coveted Mad Stache
Trophy. There will be an award for the best-styled mustache, based on pictures
submitted to Mustached Madness on their official website stashmadness.org.
"We all have someone in our lives who has been touched by cancer," said Virginia
head men's lacrosse coach Dom Starsia. "If growing a "cheesy moustache" can help
that cause, I say, 'put those razors away!' Although Ken (Clausen) likes the
facial hair a little too much already, we are all very proud of his efforts to
raise these funds. Part of the college experience is discovering your
responsibility to the community of mankind and it is nice to see some college
undergraduates acknowledge that relationship. Ken is one of those young men who
has become a leader on and off the lacrosse field."
Visit Mustache Madness' official website, www.stashmadness.org, to learn more
about the event and to donate. Keeping in the spirit of the month, grow those
mustaches and submit your pictures by clicking on the Posterous button on the
official Mustache Madness website.
Prostate Cancer Statistics
• One in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
•
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America.
• A man is 35 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than a woman is to
develop breast cancer.
Every dollar raised by this event will go directly to funding prostate cancer
research. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
For More Information
Visit www.stashmadness.org
Virginia seeks to build on record-setting pace
Oct. 21 meet at Virginia Tech could serve as launching point to even greater
success
Chloe Newschwander, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Sports / Swim and Dive / Web Exclusive
November 6, 2009 0
Breaking 10 pool records at an away meet is a rare and exceptional feat for most
teams, but for the Virginia men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, that
feat — performed Oct. 21 at Virginia Tech’s War Memorial Pool — is simply a
starting point.
“It just means that in an early season meet, we were able to perform at a really
good solid level,” Virginia coach Mark Bernardino said. “If that’s as fast as we
get, we’ll be in really big trouble at the end of the year so we’re still
looking to improve significantly.”
The Cavaliers’ first dual meet of the season against Virginia Tech ended in a
180-120 win for the women and a slightly closer 177-123 victory for the men.
Among the 10 record-breaking performances by Virginia swimmers were those in the
women’s 200 free, 1650 free, 100 back, 200 fly, 400 IM and 800 freestyle relay
team, and the men’s 1650 free, 200 breast, 400 IM and 800 freestyle relay team.
Freshman Lauren Perdue’s time of 1:47.98 earned her the 200 free record in
Blacksburg, but her contribution to the team’s win did not end there. In her
first collegiate dual meet, she also won the 50 and 100 freestyle with times of
23.14 and 50.29, respectively.
The Virginia women commanded the 200 breast and the 200 fly with 1-2-3 finishes
in both events. Freshman Christine Olson touched first in the 200 breast at
2:17.37, followed closely by senior Katherine McDonnell and junior Claire
Crippen. Junior Elizabeth Shaw clocked a first-place 2:00.56 in the 200 fly,
with teammates sophomore Joanna Thomas and Crippen grabbing second and third.
The men took the 1-2-3 position in the 400 IM, in which senior Darren Ankosko
finished in 3:59.47. Teammates junior Tim Hayes and freshman Nick Montes de Oca
followed consecutively behind.
Although the Cavaliers’ triumphed this weekend, Bernardino reminded that it is
still early in the season, and said the team will continue to train with
intensity regardless of how well it starts.
“There’s not a single event that we can’t stand to get better in,” Bernardino
said. “You never, ever reach the ultimate in any sport, there’s no such thing.”
The men’s and women’s teams will endeavor to put that strategy of continual
improvement to use in their meet against Kentucky tomorrow.
“They’re a formidable foe,” Bernardino said. “We have to be prepared to face an
outstanding team … We certainly can continue to get stronger in the weight room.
We can continue to do a better job with our kicking skills, we can continue to
do a lot of the technical things.”
Senior John Azar is among the Virginia swimmers working to further develop these
aspects of the sport. His efforts paid off two weeks ago at Virginia Tech, when
he broke the men’s 200 breaststroke pool record with a time of 2:01:83.
“I’m setting records and I want to get better,” Azar said. “I want to get better
at every meet we go to so that really sets a standard for me.”
Azar and the rest of the Cavaliers will seek to employ their win at Virginia
Tech as a springboard to constant growth and success throughout the rest of the
season.
“Just make sure you’re giving it your all,” Azar said, “so that when that
weekend comes and you’re rested and hydrated, you know you can swim just a
little bit faster than the meet before.”
Red-hot Cavaliers look to torch Wolfpack
Much-improved N.C. State stands as last foe on regular season slate before ACC
Championships
Stacy Kruczkowski, Cavalier Daily Senior Writer
Featured / Men's Soccer / Sports / Web Exclusive
November 6, 2009 0
Heading into its final regular season match, Virginia takes on N.C. State
tomorrow evening at Klöckner Stadium, hoping to ride into the ACC Tournament on
an eight-game winning streak.
The No. 18 Wolfpack (12-4-1, 2-4-1 ACC) enters Saturday’s contest with an
impressive level of play on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
The squad is averaging 2.16 goals per game and has outscored its opponents 9-3
in its last 3 matches, despite losing one of those matches. The Wolfpack
defense, led by redshirt senior goal keeper Christopher Widman, is allowing only
0.91 goals per game and has recorded seven shutouts this season.
Although the Cavaliers (11-3-2, 3-3-1) soundly defeated N.C. State in a 5-0 rout
last season, this weekend’s matchup against the Wolfpack should prove to be a
tougher challenge for the team.
“They’re a very good team this year as opposed to past years when they’ve been a
team that you can maybe overlook,” senior midfielder Jonathan Villanueva said.
“This year they’re really a team that we’re going to get focused on and give
everything we have to.”
This weekend’s result will have major playoff implications for both teams, as
the final score will help determine seeding for the upcoming ACC Championships.
“There’s so much at stake. N.C. State still has a chance to be in the play-in
game,” Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. “There’re other games around the
conference where teams could go from first to fourth or fourth to first. This
last stretch here will mean so much for not only conference standings but [for]
RPI and the overall record.”
The Cavaliers are coming off a strong showing against American on Wednesday at
Klöckner Stadium, where they defeated their foe 3-0 to remain undefeated in
non-conference play this season. Virginia, bolstered by the talented play of
junior goalkeeper and ACC Co-Player of the Week Diego Restrepo, registered its
eighth shutout of the season. In their last five games, the Cavaliers have
outscored their opponents 10-1, with freshman forward Will Bates accounting for
half of those goals.
Gelnovatch noted that the Cavaliers’ surging momentum, resulting from their
recent offensive success, could help the team perform at a high level throughout
the ACC Championships, which will begin Wednesday in Cary, N.C.
“I think that’s the key,” he said. “If your team can get better in November,
that’s important. If we just keep grinding it while we’re getting better and in
form, that’s a good combination.”