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Oct. 15, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The mood: calm. The atmosphere: light and jovial. The tension: so thick in the air it could be cut with a knife. This was the scene in the locker room on Monday after the Cavaliers’ tough loss to Clemson. The unspoken truth was that the football team was craving redemption after last Saturday’s game. That is why a season is more than one game. It isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. That’s the attitude that the football team is taking into this Saturday’s game against the #7 Florida State Seminoles. A win against the perennial ACC champion could propel the team toward the ACC title.
As Head Coach Al Groh acknowledges, the challenge will be the Cavaliers’ greatest so far this season. “Clemson was, in terms of athletic skill and speed, exactly what we anticipated they would be – the most athletic and fastest team we’ve played this year. Until we were finished with that game, they were the leader in the clubhouse. Now I think we’re playing a faster team.”
If there is one key to a Cavalier victory against the Seminoles, it is on the ground. In last season’s matchup in Tallahassee, the ‘Noles ran for 397 yards and five touchdowns; they threw for only 157 yards and no passing touchdowns. End result: a Cavalier loss. The year before at Scott Stadium the Cavaliers allowed 303 yards rushing, en route to another Seminole victory.
The rushing game is no secret to Al Groh. When asked about the ‘Noles present power as opposed to last season, Groh replied, “Offensively, last year’s group was a rare college line in that they had a number of highly talented players who were very veteran in their system. Now the line this year is about how that line looked as it was beginning its developmental process. That is, they don’t have four or five fifth-year seniors. In terms of experience, they don’t have the same level as last year’s line.”
Running back Alvin Pearman explains, “They’re big, fast, strong – everything you really want in a defense. We just have to stay technically sound and really stay focused throughout the game.”
“The key to playing with them is finishing,” says Darryl Blackstock. “You’ve got to play the whole game hard. You can’t let up. You can’t let anything slide.”
The Cavaliers’ chances of containing the Florida State running game are much higher this season. As Groh indicates, experience and maturity are on the team’s side. “Of (our) front seven, that includes the four linebackers, four of them were freshmen (last season). That was quite a disparity. Those players certainly have a lot more experience. They’ve improved their skills. They do have more size and strength. More is yet to come, but they’re well into their careers. We’ll see, but it certainly has the potential to give us a better matchup.”
Although Al Groh won’t acknowledge any significant psychological effects of the ‘Noles intense, emotional loss last weekend against Miami, it is hard to deny the possible ramifications. “They’re going to be chomping at the bit after their loss to Miami,” says Virginia QB Matt Schaub, “so it’s going to be a hard fought game and we’ll have to come out and match their intensity.”
The Cavaliers have a slight psychological advantage over the Seminoles, even after their loss to Clemson. Two members of the 1995 Cavalier team that shocked the college football world with their upset of the #2 ranked Seminoles and their unbeaten record are assistant coaches on this year’s staff. Mike Groh and Anthony Poindexter can share their valuable knowledge of how to prepare and win this crucial game.
“It’s fun to look back at,” admits Alvin Pearman, “but this is an entirely different ball game.”
Pearman has the right attitude about the importance of the upcoming matchup. The Cavaliers have a chance to jump into a tie for first place in the ACC. “It’s wide open,” explains Pearman. “We really have to stay focused. You never know what happens in the next five or six weeks of the season. We have to go out and fight like it’s a playoff game this week.”
Team captain Matt Schaub agrees, “We’re looking forward to it after the loss we had last week in overtime. We’re looking to avenge that loss and get back in the ACC hunt. Having them at home we can’t ask for a better situation.”
“It’s a perfect place to be – this Saturday at 7:45 (PM),” says Pearman. “It’s a wonderful opponent. I know we’re going to have a great week of practice this week. I’m motivated and excited…it’s the kind of stuff that you live for as a college player.”
Even though the Cavaliers haven’t had much success in recent years against Florida State, the team is preparing with a positive mentality. Coach Al Groh admits, “This team (Florida State) someone’s got to beat them, or they’ll win it (the ACC Championship) again. Most people aren’t going to beat them. If you have designs on finishing ahead of them, somebody’s got to beat them. You have to say, ‘if it’s not you, who’s it going to be?’
Defensive leader Darryl Blackstock sees things similar to Groh. “Team’s lose,” he says. “You can’t win forever. It comes down to who wants it more.”
The game against Florida State will be at 7:45pm in Scott Stadium. It will be covered nationally by ESPN on television. Mac McDonald will be doing the radio play by play on the Virginia Sports Network WINA/WWWV in Charlottesville. It was also be on national radio provided by Westwood One. Internet audio and Gametracker can be found on Virginiasports.com.