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UVa Postgame Notes
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UVa at Connecticut Postgame Notes
Sept. 13, 2008
Virginia quarterback Marc Verica made the first start of his career against UConn. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 158 yards and one interception. His 22 completions are third most in school history in a first start. Mike Groh holds the record with 26 completions in his first start against Navy in 1994 and Aaron Brooks is second with 25 completions against Auburn in 1997.
Verica’s 158 yards passing are the most by a UVa QB in a first start since David Rivers threw for 228 yards against Georgia Tech in 1999 in the only start of his UVa career.
Verica is one of 15 Cavaliers making their first regular season road trip. Among those making their first trip are: redshirt freshmen Landon Bradley, Kris Burd, Anthony Mihota, Lamar Milstead, Chase Minnifield and Zane Parr, and true freshmen Steve Greer, Jimmy Howell, Cam Johnson, Rodney McLeod, Austin Pasztor, Robert Randolph, Yannick Reyering and Ausar Walcott.
UConn’s touchdown on its opening drive is the second time this season Virginia’s opponent scored on its first possession. Southern California also scored the first time it had the ball two weeks ago. Both UConn and USC scored on their first four possessions.
Redshirt freshman Kris Burd caught the first pass of his career midway through the second quarter.
WR Staton Jobe played for the first time this season; he missed the first two games due to an injury. Jobe caught his first pass on UVa’s first drive of the second half.
PK Yannick Reyering booted a 43-yard field goal at the 10:03 mark of the third quarter, the longest field goal of his career. His touchback on the ensuing kickoff was the first of his career.
LB Cam Johnson made the first appearance of his career late in the third quarter. He becomes the third true freshman to play this season for Virginia. Redshirt freshman Landon Bradley made his debut at right tackle late in the game.
Scott Deke saw the most action of his career at quarterback after entering the game late in the third quarter in place of Verica. Like Verica, he attempted the first passes of his career tonight.
Raynard Horne caught his first career pass for 14 yards in the fourth quarter.
Chase Minnifield’s 56-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter is the longest of his career and UVa’s longest of the season.
UConn’s Donald Brown rushed for 206 yards, the most allowed by UVa since Maryland’s Josh Allen ran for 257 yards in 2003. He is also the first UVa opponent to rush for three touchdowns since Cedric Humes of Virginia Tech had three in 2005.