UVa-USC Game Notes
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Virginia vs. USC Game Notes
August 30, 2008 Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA
Today’s attendance of 64,947 is the largest in Scott Stadium history, eclipsing the previous high of 63,701 set Nov. 13, 2004 vs. Miami.
The first quarter of today’s game, that included 28 points, took 53 minutes to complete.
Former Cavalier greats Tiki and Ronde Barber were today’s special guests who raised Virginia’s “The Power of Orange” flag prior to kickoff of today’s game. It marked the first time the two Barber brothers have been together at Scott Stadium since their senior season in 1996.
Yannick Reyering became the first UVa soccer player since Jeff Gaffney in 1986 to score as a member of the Cavalier football team when he booted the PAT following UVa’s first touchdown. Reyering was the Cavaliers’ soccer team’s leading scorer from 2005-2007 (he only had three years of soccer eligibility). Today marked the first time Reyering ever played in a football game.
UVa wide receiver Cary Koch finished with three catches for 40 yards (all in the first half). His 21-yard catch was a career best as a Cavalier. He had a 38-yard catch as a freshman at Tulane in 2005. He shared the team lead with 40 yards with Jared Green.
P Jimmy Howell and OL Austin Pasztor were the lone true freshmen to play for Virginia. Pasztor appeared on the kick-scoring unit. Howell averaged 38.2 yards on eight punts.
Ten Cavaliers made the first start of their career this afternoon: RG B.J. Cabbell, LB Aaron Clark, DE Matt Conrath, DE Alex Field, WR Dontrelle Inman, WR Cary Koch, QB Peter Lalich, CB Chase Minnifield, C Jack Shields and S Brandon Woods. For Conrath and Minnifield it was the first appearance of their career.
In addition to Conrath, Howell, Minnifield and Pasztor, 11 other Cavaliers made the first appearance of their careers: WR Kris Burd, TE Andrew Devlin, DL John-Kevin Dolce, WR Jared Green, NT Nick Jenkins, CB Dom Joseph, C Anthony Mihota, S Corey Mosley, DE Zane Parr, PK Yannick Reyering and QB Marc Verica.
Peter Lalich threw for 155 yards in the first start of his career, the most by a UVa quarterback in his first start since David Rivers threw for 228 yards against Georgia Tech in 1999. The start by the fourth-yearman Rivers was the only start of his UVa career.
TE John Phillips caught a career-high five passes for 33 yards, while WR Kevin Ogletree pulled in four passes for 21 yards in his first game in two years; he missed last season due to a knee injury.
WR Jared Green caught at 16-yard pass from Peter Lalich on UVa’s first play of the second half. It occurred on the first play of his career (he redshirted last season). Green finished with three passes and tied for the team lead with 40 yards.
LB Antonio Appleby had his first career pass interception in the third quarter (and returned it 12 yards).
LB Jon Copper had an active day with a game-high 11 tackles. He also broke up a pass.
S Byron Glaspy was second on the team with eight tackles. He also broke up a career-high two passes.
LB Aaron Clark made a career-high five tackles in his first start. He was among eight Cavaliers to set or equal career highs for tackles. CB Chase Minnifield made four stops in his first career appearance, while S Brandon Woods (3), S Matt Leemhuis (2), DE Matt Conrath (1) and S Corey Mosley (1) also established career highs. NT Nate Collins (5) and DE Alex Field (3) tied their career highs for tackles. Special teams performer Hall Simmons led the special teams with the first three tackles of his career.
Today’s fly over after the national anthem featured a pair of F-18 jets from the Navy’s Red Ripper Squadron.
Between the first and second quarters today, former Cavalier great Jim Dombrowski was recognized. He will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame next summer. Dombrowski starred at UVa from 1982 to 1985 and was the Cavaliers’ first Unanimous All-American (1985). He was a two-time winner of the Jacob’s Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s best blocker. Former Cavalier athletics director Gene Corrigan presented Dombrowski with his College Hall of Fame certificate.
At halftime former Cavalier Ronde Barber had his jersey retired. A defensive back at UVa, he had 15 interceptions during his three-year UVa career. He was an All-ACC selection each of his three years as a Cavalier. He is currently in his 12th season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is a four-time Pro Bowler, and was a member of the Bucs’ Super Bowl championship team in 2003 (XXXVII). His brother, Tiki, had his jersey retired last season along with Chris Long. Individuals recognized in this way will have their jersey retired, but their number will remain active.
USC’s three rushing touchdowns are the most allowed by Virginia since Maryland had three in 2006, a span of 19 games.
Southern California’s 558 yards of total offense are the most against Virginia since Maryland had 570 yards of offense in 2005, 34 games ago. It is also the third-highest total given up by an Al Groh-coached Virginia squad since 2001.
USC quarterback Mark Sanchez passed for 338 yards today, a career high. His previous best was 277 yards vs. Oregon last year.
Today’s win marks the fourth straight year USC has scored at least 38 points in its season opener. It is also the 11th season in a row the Trojans won their season opener.