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Sept. 1, 2003

Entries from a broadcaster’s notebook…South Carolina Game Week

A record crowd of 61,737 turned out for Virginia’s football opener and witnessed a game of “firsts”…How about…

–Matt Schaub’s first major injury of any kind in college football, slowing the fifth year senior’s Heisman campaign…which for now is the furthest thing from his mind. Rehab and return are the priorities. Al Groh made it official at his weekly press conference Monday Anthony Martinez is the starter for South Carolina. Regarding Schaub’s shoulder…Groh did say Matt has been “more comfortable” the last two days than he was Saturday.

–In a reserve role, the redshirt Martinez and senior Art Thomas hooked up for their first completion and first reception respectively. The 39 yarder, which led to Wali Lundy’s two yard TD and a 10-0 lead, was pulled off on a 3rd and 9.

–UVA’s defense posted it’s first shutout since the 1998 season…a 24-0 “KO” of…you guessed it…Duke. It was also the first shutout at home since 1993 against…guess again…Duke…35-0.

–The Duke win was also the first season opening win in the Al Groh era, and the first since 1999 when UVA escaped Chapel Hill with a 20-17 victory.

–Nine Cavaliers saw playing time for the first time Saturday night…three true first year players and six red shirts. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks, left guard Ian-Yates Cunningham, and special teams performer Robbie Catterton.

–Okay…a couple of “seconds”…it was the second consecutive game for the Cavaliers without a turnover…and the second consecutive time against Duke the opening possession resulted in a field goal.

So much for Duke…it’s on to South Carolina.

–Al Groh is no stranger to Columbia and the Gamecocks program. He played against them twice as a Wahoo…coached against them twice as a head coach at Wake Forest and was their offensive coordinator in 1988 when USC rolled to an 8-4 record and a Liberty Bowl berth against Indiana. He pointed out Monday that the Gamecock offense seems to be better and faster than last year.

–Last year, the USC offense was ranked 103rd in D-1 and return only twostarters. Carolina put up only 14 points against Louisiana Lafayette last week.

–Groh has always preached “ball disruption” and last year UVA forced six Gamecock fumbles and picked off one pass.

–The ‘Hoos are 31-46-6 against schools currently in the SEC…and 2-2 since 1998.

–A couple of suspensions have hurt the’Cocks early….running back Daccus Turman was let go due to a violation of department policy and wide receiver Mathew Thomas was suspended earlier in the off season for missing summer school classes in history. Turman was involved in a criminal domestic charge with his girlfriend. They both should be in uniform Saturday.

–Coach Lou Holtz told the media “You can either hold your head and sulk or march on…we intend to march on.”

–Remember the Outback Bowls following the 2000 and 2001 seasons? Can you name the school South Carolina beat back to back? Ohio State…24-7 and 31-28.

–This will be Virginia’s first trip to William Brice Stadium since 1987.

–For the first time ever…USC has pieced together back to back top ten recruiting classes…ranking 7th and 8th by ESPN’s Tom Lemming.

–With last Saturday’s win, Holtz passed Woody Hayes for 8th all time on the coaching wins list…now with 239. Tom Osborne, formerly of Nebraska, is 7th on the list with 255.

See you in Columbia.