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Oct. 20, 2005
Following the Monday workout for the Virginia football team, the Cavalier coaching staff retreated to their offices where the computers play video, radios play selected tunes of their choice, and weekly game plans are put into motion. For UVA’s defensive coordinator, Al Golden, it was business as usual.
After finishing Coach Al Groh’s talk show, Golden called me into his office. Frank Sinatra was on the Bose, the lights were dim, and North Carolina’s offense was being dissected and broken down.
“Okay,” I said with a smile and laugh in my voice. “What was the difference? You guys did everything in the world to throw off Weatherford and FSU. Why was that game any different?”
Golden got up from his chair and pointed to a face that appears in a picture of four linebackers that are blown up and framed on his wall. The picture highlights former Cavaliers Dennis Haley, Darryl Blackstock, and current `Hoos Kai Parham and Ahmad Brooks.
“Right there, he’s the man,” Golden said while singling out #34.
He was talking about Brooks.
See I remember a trip to FSU in 2002 when UVA had no answer defensively for Florida State and lost 40-19. Golden stood outside the team bus and told me his defensive answers were coming in the likes of Parham and Brooks. They were the two impact players who could make a difference in how Virginia would structure the 3-4. Quick, agile, strong…quarterback chasers that knock down passes, tackle guys in the backfield, and throw off an offense just enough giving your team a chance. Guess what? Golden knew what he was talking about.
Last week Brooks started to show signs of his old self. Twisting, turning, peeling off lineman like bad wallpaper…Brooks was making an impact on the game. With Parham having the season of his life, these two supported a spirited defensive effort that threw off the Seminoles’ timing. FSU got their yards, but they didn’t get their points. And that was the difference.
“It’s amazing what he (Brooks) has been able to do in just the limited time he has practiced,” Golden said. “I mean think about it. I think he has only practiced 6 or 7 times. 36 plays at Maryland. Sprained ankle. What did he do Saturday?”
“Besides hit Weatherford about a dozen times? You tell me.”
Golden could only smile.
“I know he only had four tackles, but he broke up a couple passes and was in Drew’s face a lot.
Golden pointed to the picture again.
“That’s the guy, right there.”
With Parham and Brooks on the inside Virginia’s defense just plays better. But there are a lot of guys who are having pretty good seasons. Cornerback Marcus Hamilton for one. Leading the ACC in interceptions, “Crunch” is becoming one of the top cover guys in the league. He has adopted the Coach Groh attack mentality and it has made him a more confident player.
“He’s like a different player now,” Groh said during his weekly press conference. “He’s aggressive, experienced, and confident. He has developed that (winning) mentality.”
Brennan Schmidt and Chris Long also played like men on a mission. They, along with Brooks and Parham simply set the tone, which delivered a message to the entire defensive unit. Stay healthy, and play like that the rest of the year, and Virginia will make the statement when it’s supposed to be made.
At the end of the year.
Game notables:
Virginia has won 14 of the last 18 games against UNC, and since 1979 the `Heels have scored more than 27 points just twice.
Even though Virginia has struggled with the dreaded turnover, eight of the nine have occurred in the opponent’s territory…and only one has resulted in points. (The Western Michigan interception return for a touchdown)
UVA’s Cedric Peerman leads ACC freshmen in all-purpose yards (108.5) and is fourth overall in the ACC.
If Marques Hagans throws for 175 yards Saturday, he will pass former Cavalier and Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer Don Majkowski for 7th place on UVA’s all time passing yards list.
Speaking of records…Connor Hughes is only eight field goals away from being one of the ACC’s top four, all time field goal kickers. With 58 career three-pointers, 8 more would tie him with former FSU booter, and Oakland Raider Sebastian Janikowski who hit 66 field goals between 1993 and 1996.
Thanks to Michael Colley and Cathy Bongiovi Stewart, UVA Sports Information.