Story Links
Oct 25, 2003
Box Score?|?Quotes?|?Notes?|?Photo Gallery | Video Highlights and Postgame Comments
By HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Alvin Pearman ran for a career-high 138 yardsand two touchdowns Saturday and Virginia rebounded from a disappointing loss tobeat Troy State 24-0.
Pearman, who tied an Atlantic Coast Conference record with 16 catches lastweek against Florida State, carried 32 times against the Trojans, scoring onruns of 7 and 5 yards, and added eight receptions for another 81 yards.
The Cavaliers (5-3) had 20 first downs and a 24-0 lead by halftime, then letthe defense finish off its second shutout of the season. Virginia also blankedDuke 27-0 in its season opener.
Troy State (4-4), in just its third season of Division I-A, has also lost toNebraska, Kansas State and Minnesota.
The Cavaliers ran the ball only nine times for minus 5 yards against FloridaState, but they got 79 yards on 12 carries by Pearman in the first quarter,when he finished two drives in the end zone to make it 14-0.
The first drive was set up by a fumble recovery by Chris Canty, the secondby Almondo Curry’s interception of a pass from Aaron Leak.
The Cavaliers stretch their lead in the second quarter on Matt Schaub’s21-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Sawyer and Connor Hughes’ 36-yard field goal.Hughes earlier missed from 40 yards, ending his streak of consecutive fieldgoals at 13 dating back to last season.
Schaub was 23-for-36 for 241 yards. Leak was just 6-for-19 after beingharassed all afternoon. He also ran 15 times for 37 yards.
The game marked the return of Virginia tailback Wali Lundy, who was leadingthe ACC in rushing until a leg injury forced him to sit out the game againstthe Seminoles. Lundy, who caught a screen pass on his first play and drew roarsfrom the crowd, ran six times for 25 yards.