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Aug. 25, 2003
Virginia opens the 2003 season this Saturday at home against Duke. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm. This is the first time since 1999 the Cavaliers have started the season against an ACC opponent (at North Carolina) and the first time they’ve opened at home vs. a league team since 1992 (28-15 win over Maryland).
One of the youngest teams in the nation, Virginia features 19 returning starters (9 on offense, 8 on defense, both kicking specialists). Only Duke (22) has more returning starters than Virginia.The Cavaliers are led on offense by Heisman Trophy candidate QB Matt Schaub, the nation’s sixth-leading passer last season. Schaub set or tied as many as 10 school records last year.
National Defensive Rookie of the Year Darryl Blackstock highlights a deep linebacker corps among eight returning starters on defense. He led the nation’s freshmen with 10 sacks last fall.This is the first time since 1996 Virginia opens against a team that finished below .500 the year before. Duke was 2-10 in 2002, but lost five games by less than a touchdown.
