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Virginia vs. Virginia Tech postgame notes Nov. 29, 2008
Vic Hall started at quarterback for Virginia, the first start on offense for him since a record-setting high school career at Gretna Senior HS. He carried three times for 55 yards on the first drive and scored on a 40-yard run. The 40-yard run is the longest of his career. Prior to today he had had only one carry in his career (4 yards TD out of field goal formation vs. Pittsburgh last year). The touchdown is his second of the season (INT vs. Richmond) and third of his career.
Hall’s 40-yard run is the longest by a Virginia quarterback since Marques Hagans had a 47-yard run vs. Miami in 2004.
Hall’s 109 yards rushing are the most by a UVa quarterback since Marques Hagans had 110 vs. Syracuse in 2005
Hall is also the first UVa QB to rush for at least two touchdowns in a game since Jameel Sewell had two vs. Virginia Tech last season in Charlottesville.
Hall also had a big day on defense as well with a sack of Sean Glennon in the second quarter, his first of his career. He also caused a fumble on the play, the fifth caused fumble of the season for him. That ties a school record also held by DL Stuart Anderson (1979), S Tony Blount (1979) and LB Merrill Robertson (2002).
Chase Minnifield started in place of Hall at cornerback. It is his first start since the Southern California game in the season opener.
Redshirt freshman Anthony Mihota started at center in place of Jack Shields, the first start of his career. His only previous appearance was in the opener against Southern California. Shields entered the game with a leg injury.
Redshirt freshman Aaron Taliaferro made the first appearance of his career in the first quarter; he came in on the goal line defense.
Minnifield returned punts for the first time this season; Hall had been the usual return man prior to today.
The Cavaliers led 14-7 at halftime, their first halftime lead against Virginia Tech since a 20-3 lead in 1997. Virginia went on to win that game 34-20 in Charlottesville.
This is UVa’s first halftime lead in Blacksburg since holding a 9-7 lead in 1996. The Hokies rallied to win that game 26-9.
Byron Glaspy intercepted his second pass of the season late in the first half. His two interceptions are the most by a Virginia safety since Tony Franklin picked off two in 2005.
Kevin Ogletree caught just one pass today, the first time he failed to catch at least two since Minnesota in the 2005 Music City Bowl in Nashville when he failed to catch a pass. Ogletree had caught at least two passes in 23 straight games.
John Phillips caught one pass today and now has 48 receptions this season, the ninth most in a season by a tight end in ACC history.
QB Marc Verica completed 226 of 354 passes this season, 63.8 percent. That is tied for the sixth-best percentage by a first-year starter in ACC history. Duke’s Dave Brown also completed 63.8 percent of his passes in 1989. North Carolina’s Chris Kupec holds the record with a 69.3 percent completion percentage in 1974.
Verica’s 2037 yards passing this season are fourth in school history by a first-year starter and the 14th most overall. Symmion Willis holds the first-time starter record with 2347 yards in 1993.
Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor’s 73-yard run early in the third quarter is the longest run against Virginia since Maryland’s Josh Allen ran 80 yards for a touchdown in 2003.