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August 30, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia opens its 115th season of football on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Temple in a game scheduled to start at Noon. ESPN2 will televise the game live from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
This is the first time in three years the Cavaliers have started the season with a day game and the latest start to a season since 1999.
Head coach Al Groh enters his fourth season at the helm and has fashioned one of the strongest Cavalier squads in recent memory. He welcomed eight starters on each side of the ball when training camp commenced on Aug. 11.
Virginia had 19 starters return for last season to make this the first time since 1988-89 that the team returned as many as 15 starters in back-to-back seasons.
Record-setting quarterback Matt Schaub has taken his skills to the NFL, but his back-up the last two seasons, Marques Hagans, moves into the top spot. Hagans has started two games under center in his career and is actually one of the more experienced quarterbacks to enter a season as a first-time signal caller.
Hagans has a variety of weapons to turn to including All-American tight end Heath Miller and leading tailbacks Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman. Protecting Hagans is an experienced offensive line that has combined for 106 career starts.
The nation?s #1 linebacking corps lead the way defensively, highlighted by Butkus Award candidates Darryl Blackstock, Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham.
Ends Chris Canty and Brennan Schmidt and nose tackle Andrew Hoffman return for their third year as starters, combining for 75 starts.
The secondary has a mixture of returnees and youngsters, led by senior safeties Jermaine Hardy and Marquis Weeks.
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