Game Notes - Virginia 48, Miami 0

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Virginia at Miami Postgame Notes – Nov. 10, 2007

Virginia Notes

Virginia has a bye week next week before closing the regular season at home against Virginia Tech on Nov. 24. Under head coach Al Groh the Cavaliers have put the extra preparation time to good use, winning nine of 11 after a bye week under the seventh-year head coach. When playing at home following a bye week under Groh the Cavaliers are 7-0.

Virginia won its first game ever in Florida ending a 15-game losing streak in the Sunshine State.

The win is UVa’s third conference road win of the season, the Cavaliers’ most since they won three in 1999. It is also their fourth road win of the year, the most since 1999.

Virginia’s 96-yard scoring drive on its first possession is the Cavaliers’ longest drive in terms of yards since a 97-yard drive against North Carolina in 2004.

The Cavaliers’ touchdown on their opening drive marked the seventh time this season they scored on their first possession (4 TDs, 3 FGs).

Vic Hall intercepted the first pass of his career in the first quarter. After not getting an interception from a cornerback in the first eight games of the season, a CB has had an interception in the last three games.

Jon Copper intercepted his second pass of the season in the first quarter to become the first UVa linebacker with at least two interceptions in a season since Ahmad Brooks picked off two in 2004.

Josh Zidenberg got Virginia’s first blocked punt of the season. It is the third block of his career (Wyoming and Duke last season).

Zidenberg’s block is also the first punt blocked by a Cavalier since Ben Parziale blocked an East Carolina punt last season.

Virginia scored 14 points in the first quarter, the first points Miami has given up at home this season.

Byron Glaspy joined Vic Hall in getting the first interception of his career early in the second quarter. His 29-yard return is the longest by a Cavalier this season.

Virginia’s three interceptions in the first half mark the first time UVa intercepted as many as three passes in a game since picking off three Duke passes last season.

The Cavaliers’ 31 points in the first half are the second-most points they’ve scored in a game this season. They scored 44 vs. Pitt on Sept. 29. The 48 points are Virginia’s most since scoring 51 against Temple in 2005.

The 31 first half points are the most by Virginia in the first half since scoring 34 points in the first half of a 51-0 win over Akron in 2004.

John Phillips set a career high for receiving yards in a game. His previous high was 44 yards vs. Miami last season.

Mikell Simpson’s touchdown in the third quarter is UVa’s first third quarter TD since the North Carolina game last season, a span of 15 games.

Nate Collins, Nate Lyles and Aaron Clark both got their first sack of the season.

Jameel Sewell passed for a career-high 288 yards. His previous high was 260 vs. NC State two weeks ago.

Chris Cook scored the second touchdown of his career on a fumble return late in the game. He scored on an INT return at Maryland two years ago. His 44-yard fumble return is UVa’s first for a touchdown since Jeffrey Fitzgerald had a 23-yard TD return against Duke last season.

This is Virginia’s first ACC road shutout since a 37-0 win at Duke last season.

This is Miami’s worst home loss since a 70-14 loss to Texas A&M in 1944

Miami Notes

TODAY’S CAPTAINS… Today’s captains for Miami are Calais Campbell and Derrick Morse.

A FOND FAREWELL… This evening’s game marks the 468th and final outing for the Hurricanes football squad at the Orange Bowl. In 71 seasons, Miami has gone 318-143-7 in the historic stadium.

Tonight’s attendance of 62,106 is the largest crowd in the Orange Bowl since the Miami’s 2006 season-opener vs. Florida State (71,481).

SENIOR SENDOFF… Tonight’s game also marks the final home game for Miami’s 21 seniors Kyle Wright, Glenn Sharpe, Darnell Jenkins, Lance Leggett, Willie Cooper, Gabriel Diaz, Charlie Jones, David Strimple, Francesco Zampogna, Vegas Franklin, Tavares Gooden, John Rochford, Jonathan Teske, Derrick Morse, Andrew Bain, Cyrim Wimbs, Ross Abramson, Teraz McCray, Grant Brown, Benny Fernandez and George Timmons.

THE LONGEST YARD… Virginia’s first-quarter touchdown was the first the Hurricanes have allowed in seven home games this season and the longest scoring drive (96 yards) given up by Miami’s defense in 2007, tying the longest scoring drive given up by the Hurricanes in 2006 (Maryland). Miami’s defense has allowed just 38 first-half points in the Orange Bowl this season and none in the first five home games of 2007. The Hurricanes have outscored their opponents 81-38 at home in the first half this season.

PICK ME… Randy Phillips made his team-leading third interception of the season with a first-quarter pick. With the defense’s 21st forced turnover in the ninth game of the season, the Hurricanes have tied their 13-game total from 2006.

MOVING UP… Kyle Wright has moved into seventh place on Miami’s all-time list for pass attempts, passing Brock Berlin, who had 700 attempts from 2003-04. Wright entered the game with 698 career attempts and now has 719.

Wright has also moved into seventh place on Miam’s all-time list for passing yards, passing Steve Walsh. Wright entered the game with 5,298 passing yards and now has 5,392 yards. Walsh threw for 5,369 yards from 1986-88.

SHUTOUT… Miami has not been shutout at home since Oct. 10, 1974, with a 3-0 loss to then No. 11 Auburn. The last time Miami was shutout, regardless of location, was a 47-0 loss at Florida State on Oct. 4, 1997. Tonight marks the worst home loss for the Hurricanes since a UM-record 70-14 loss to Texas A&M on Dec. 8, 1944.

**Miami last shutout 10/4/97 at FSU, 47-0
1/1/94 Arizona, 29-0 (Fiesta Bowl)
11/17/79 Alabama, 30-0
**Last time shutout at home 10/4/74, Auburn, 3-0

12/8/44 70-14 loss to Texas A&M 56 pts
11/24/27 — 52-0 loss to Howard 52 pts
**12/1/73 44-0 loss to Notre Dame at home 44 pts
11/16/40 — 46-6 loss to Florida 40 pts
10/20/44 — 38-0 loss to “Ft. Pierce Amph.” 38 pts
12/3/77 48-10 loss to Notre Dame 38 pts