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Aug. 25, 2003
Week #1—The Duke Game
University of Virginia football coach Al Groh strolled into Monday’s press conference looking like he had just returned from a Bermuda vacation. Donning khaki shorts, a Tommy Bahama shirt and Cole Hahn loafers with no socks, Groh told the throng of writers and reporters he didn’t really feel like he has been on vacation and there certainly wasn’t any fruit left at his door this morning…however, he appeared relaxed and prepared. That might be exactly how the third version of his football team is feeling.
Despite going 0 for 2 in season openers under Groh, the 18th ranked Cavaliers have every reason to be optimistic. Duke has not won an ACC game in the last 25 tries and has posted only two wins in the last three years…going 2-32. However, the Devils return everyone…22 of 25 starters to be exact when you throw in the special teamers. Last year the Dookies suffered five defeats by five points or less and gave Clemson, UNC and NC State 4th quarter scares. And don’t forget the struggle Virginia had in Durham….nothing ever comes easy for UVA against this team. Nothing.
“This is us last year,” Groh commented at Monday’s press conference. “But this game isn’t about them, it’s about us and how we play.”
Coach Groh did reveal a few items that made the scribes work overtime. The most notable was in regard to linebacking phenom Ahmad Brooks, who last Friday earned an orange jersey indicating a starting nod in the Saturday night opener. Brooks moved ahead of Bryan White on the depth chart and according to Groh has certainly lived up to his pre season hype.
“He’s doing everything for us,” Groh said. He’s playing goal line, in the nickel, two special teams…he’s been exposed to a lot and has responded well. Remember, he has been through just 32 sessions of practice and hasn’t seen any game action yet.”
Virginia’s head man also reported that Jason Snelling, an often used fullback from Chester, Virginia who totaled 31 receptions and scored 4 touchdowns might take a red shirt year.
” We talked and there are some health and academic issues,” Groh said. ” There’s a good chance he could red shirt this season.”
In response to the story that broke today revolving highly touted quarterback Chris Olson,who was recruited by the Cavalier staff but committed to Notre Dame and red shirted last year, and is enrolling at Virginia, Groh said he would wait until things are official before saying anything. Olsen was one of the top prospects in the nation two years ago from Wayne, New Jersey where he threw for over 5,000 yards in his career.
Back to Duke…and the game plan. Even though UVA would love nothing more than to showcase it’s Heisman candidate, the ‘Hoos are going to try and run against a defense that is anchored by Matt Zielinski and Ryan Fowler. Last year in Durham, Virginia rolled up a whopping two net yards rushing.
Virginia fans are anxious to see what the wide receivers will do and how they will react without All-American Billy McMullen. According to Groh, UVA’s offense might look to go vertical a bit more this year and take a few chances “over the top”.
“We’ve got pretty good speed at wide out,” Groh said. “We just don’t know if some of them can catch.”
Art Thomas, a veteran who could go both ways, has terrific speed and red shirt first year Ron Morton backs him up. Ottawa Anderson, Ryan Sawyer, and Marques Hagans should get most of the work.
Consider this….Duke returns all 11 starters and every key reserve on offense. The offensive line has four seniors and one junior and the backs, Chris Douglas and Alex Wade have over 3200 career rushing yards. Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman of the Cavaliers? 1540 yards.
Game note: The last time Virginia and Duke met in a season opener…1983…Virginia won 38-30. Saturday night’s tilt also marks the earliest season opener in Duke history…and it is the first time since 1996 that Virginia has opened the year against a team that finished below .500 the year before. (2-10)