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Sept. 22, 2004
The focus to this week was immediate. Following Virginia’s convincing win over Akron last Saturday it didn’t take long for Cavaliers’ head coach Al Groh to address what was on the horizon. His post game speech was brief.
“This is phase two,” Groh told his players. “We have a long way to go to make sure we are in the hunt. Phase two starts right now.”
Groh’s `phase two’ reference includes Syracuse, Clemson and Florida State. This week’s opponent, The Orange, has enough talent to let the UVA players grab the measuring stick and find out where they are. We have an idea…the Cavs have established a running, physical style of play with an elusive quarterback and a defense that does a pretty good job taking away game plans.
“I think we have a pretty good idea what kind of team we are,” Groh told his Monday night talk show audience. “We have a lot of players in key positions that bring a lot of versatility to the table.”
Amen. Take Alvin Pearman for example. The senior running back from Charlotte hates to wait his turn in the running back rotation so he returns punts and does a great job on special teams. Just when teams have had enough of Wali Lundy…they get Pearman. Take away UVA’s running game…and you have to deal with quarterback Marques Hagans and his ability to run the offense. Hagans, who leads the ACC in passing efficiency and is 8th in the nation, has proven he can make checks at the line of scrimmage, go through his receiver progressions, and find the running lane when need be. “Biscuit” is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and his completing passes at a 73% clip. Oh, and one more thing. Defenses can’t find him. In five career starts he is yet to be sacked.
I certainly can’t write a game preview without mentioning what the tight ends have done. Fans only see the catches, but you must watch a Virginia game tape study of Heath Miller, Patrick Estes, and Tom Santi to really appreciate what they have done lately. The trio has been awesome in run blocking and pass protection not to mention last week the three amigos caught 12 of the 21 completions. They understand the game, they get open, and they protect. The only thing left for Miller, Estes, and Santi is to prepare the pre game meal.
I know we’ve written about the offensive line `til we’re Wahoo blue in the face, but can they get any better? UVA’s rushed for 286 yards against Temple, threw 299 on the board for North Carolina, and ripped the Zips for 326 yards last week. Virginia ranks 7th in the nation in rushing and leads the country with 16 touchdowns via the run. If UVA grinds out 90 yards this week it will mark the first time in 6 years the `Hoos have rushed for more than 1000 yards in four games.
Defensively in the first three games Virginia has dictated play. Groh and defensive coordinator Al Golden have cooked up terrific schemes that are designed to keep even the best quarterback off balance. The Cavaliers have 11 sacks against three pretty smart quarterbacks…highly touted guys by their respective schools.
THIS WEEK
Syracuse is good. The Orange features a Heisman like back in Walter Reyes, a solid back up in Damien Rhodes, and huge offensive line that goes 324, 300, 326, 321 and 297. `Cuse is working with two quarterbacks and second year Perry Patterson, a very athletic left-hander, has emerged as the starter for this Saturday. The Lancaster, Pa. native hit 10 of 16 for 156 yards and a touchdown in the Orange’s win over Cincinnati. The scheme features a little of everything…option, wishbone, and the “I”.
Defensively, Virginia fans will see one of the best safeties in the country. Junior Anthony Smith blocked his third punt of the year against the Bearcats and has five blocks for his career. He also has 161 career tackles for 10th all time with 6 career interceptions.
The Orange boast two solid linebackers in Kellen Pruitt and Kelvin Smith. Pruitt had 11 tackles in the Purdue loss and Smith made seven stops against the `Cats. The tandem is listed as 2004 Butkus Award Candidates. Syracuse plays a 4-3, over-under and will do everything they can to pressure Hagans.
GAME NOTABLES
This is the third meeting all time in the series and the first game in 27 years. Virginia will return the favor next year and play Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.
Since 1989, UVA is 55-4 in non-televised games and have won eight straight non-TV games since 1989.
And speaking of streaks…the Cavaliers have won four straight games over Big East opponents…. and four of the last six overall.
When The Sporting News featured Virginia’s linebacking corps of Darryl Blackstock, Ahmad Brooks, Kai Parham, Richie Bedesem and Dennis Haley, calling them the best unit in the nation…several pictures were taken. Two framed, 24 x 30 photos now grace the office of defensive coordinator Al Golden.Monday night, following Al Groh’s call in talk show, Golden asked the radio crew to come into his office. “How do you like my guys?” he asked with a smile.
“In the words of former quarterback, Gene Arnette,” I told him. “If they were coming at me, I would take up the trombone.”