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Turkey Day Has Arrived!
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Nov. 27, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Ah, yes, it’s that time of year again, a time when families get together to celebrate a very important holiday. It’s a time when we try to forgive and forget. We join hands with our neighbors. We enjoy large cornucopias of food and fill our bellies with sweet, tender meat. We eat lots of turkey and dream of Cavalier victories. But most importantly, we give thanks. We give thanks for the good things in life and hope the best things are yet to come. Among the things to give thanks for…an exciting, much anticipated football feud rolling into Charlottesville this weekend.
The Cavaliers close out the 2003 regular season Saturday, November 29 with a match-up against bitter in-state rival Virginia Tech. The rivalry began in 1895 with the Cavaliers recording a 38-0 victory in Charlottesville. However, Tech holds in the lead all time with a 43-36-5 record. Virginia hasn’t beaten the Hokies since 1998 when they came back from a 29-7 halftime deficit in Blacksburg to win 36-32. It was the biggest comeback in school history.
The two teams have had very similar seasons so far. The Hokies won their first six games this season, but have since lost three of five. The Cavaliers started the season winning four of five games, but have since lost four of six. For the second year in a row, the Wahoos boast one of the nation’s youngest teams, showing improvement from game to game. This will only be the second game against a ranked opponent for Virginia this year.
“There is a very good chance we can beat Tech,” explains Virginia QB Matt Schaub. “We are playing very well right now and have a lot of confidence; we just have to keep doing the things that help us win games”.
In order for the Cavs to open up the passing game and score points against the tough Hokie defense, the RB’s Lundy and Pearman must get off to good starts.
“I think we will have to have success on the ground,” agrees Schaub. “That will help out the passing game…. The key is to not make mistakes like turnovers and penalties, and give up big plays. If we just stick to our plan and minimize mistakes we will have a great chance to win.”
Saturday’s game marks the final home game for a number of Virginia players, including Schaub, who plans on entering the NFL draft after this season. Schaub, along with Curry, Winborne, Luzar, Mann, Sawyer, and others will be recognized before kickoff on Saturday.
With the excitement of the rivalry the adrenaline from playing a final home game, you can be sure that the Cavaliers will play hard to the finish. This looks to be one of the most even match-ups of the two teams in years. Make sure you come out wearing your orange to cheer the Cavaliers on to victory!