2009 Virginia Football Schedule Announced
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Charlottesville, VA — The Atlantic Coast Conference released the 2009 football schedules for the league’s 12 schools today. Virginia’s slate features 12 regular season games, including seven home contests. Starting times for all games will be announced at a later date.
The Cavaliers face three teams that finished in the final Associated Press and USA Today football polls last season, a total of nine squads that played in postseason bowl games in 2008 and two first-time opponents.
Virginia kicks off its campaign at home for the second consecutive season when it plays host to William & Mary on Sept. 5. The game will mark the 33rd meeting between the Tribe and Cavaliers. Virginia has won the last six meetings in the series that dates back to 1908. The Cavaliers defeated William & Mary 40-16 in the last meeting that took place in 1995 at Scott Stadium. The Tribe returns 15 starters from a 7-4 team that finished 20th in the final Football Championship Subdivision poll in 2008.
TCU visits Charlottesville for the first time Sept. 12. The Horned Frogs finished seventh in both the AP and USA Today polls in 2008. They led the nation in total defense last year, allowing just 217.77 yards per game. TCU went 11-2 in 2008, defeating Boise State 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl. It marked the third time in four seasons the Horned Frogs won 11 games. The only previous game between the teams was the 1994 Independence Bowl; Virginia won 20-10.
Virginia hits the road Sept. 19 for the program’s first-ever game at Conference USA opponent Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles finished last season with five straight wins, including a victory against Troy in the New Orleans Bowl, to post a 7-6 record.
Indiana and Virginia will meet for the first time on Oct. 10 when the Hoosiers come to Scott Stadium. The two-game series will include a return game in Bloomington during the 2011 season. Indiana is the first Big Ten opponent on a UVa schedule since the Cavaliers defeated Minnesota 34-31 in the 2005 Music City Bowl.
Georgia Tech, coming off a 9-4 record that saw the Yellow Jackets make an appearance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, will face UVa in Charlottesville on Oct. 24. Georgia Tech was 22nd in the final AP standings and ranked fourth nationally in rushing at 273.23 yards per game.
Duke, coming off a 4-8 finish in 2008, plays at Virginia Oct. 31.
Virginia’s home ACC schedule features the first appearance by Boston College at Scott Stadium on Nov. 14. It is just the second match-up between the Cavaliers and Eagles since BC joined the ACC in 2005. Virginia will be looking for its first win against Boston College, having dropped three previous decisions, including the 1994 Carquest Bowl (31-13). The Eagles finished 9-5 last year, winning the ACC’s Atlantic Division before losing to Vanderbilt in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl.
The Cavaliers wrap-up the 2009 regular season at home Nov. 28 when they host Virginia Tech in the annual Commonweath Cup contest. The Hokies went 10-4 in 2008, played in the FedEx Orange Bowl and finished 15th in the final AP rankings.
The Cavaliers’ ACC road schedule includes dates at North Carolina (Oct. 3), Maryland (Oct. 17), Miami (Nov. 7) and Clemson (Nov. 21). All four of those opponents appeared in bowl games last season. Maryland went 8-5 including a victory against Nevada in the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl. The Tar Heels finished the year 8-5 after falling to West Virginia at the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Miami was 7-6 including a loss to California in the Emerald Bowl. Clemson went 7-6, falling to Nebraska in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl.
The Cavaliers do not face ACC opponents Wake Forest, Florida State or NC State in 2009.
Season tickets for the 2009 season are on sale now with a priority order and seating deadline of April 24. The Virginia Athletics Foundation’s 2009 pledge priority deadline is March 31. Season ticket prices remain the same as 2008 at $269 for reserved seats, and $215 for faculty and staff for the seven-game home schedule.
For the first time, the athletics department is offering an early purchase commitment period through March 18, allowing fans to choose a four-month payment plan option. Customers who take advantage of the four-month payment option will be charged (major credit card only) in four equal installments from April 1 through July 1.
Details of this plan will be sent to 2008 season ticket holders who will receive an e-brochure by e-mail in mid-February. New buyers can also take advantage of this offer by ordering online or by phone by March 18. Season ticket holders from 2008 who do not order online by March 18, will receive an application in the mail around that time. The season ticket priority order and seating deadline is April 24.
To purchase season tickets or for more information on Cavalier football tickets, visit the tickets section of VirginiaSports.com or call the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-542-8821 or 434/924-8821. The UVa athletics ticket office is open to the public weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The 2009 Virginia Spring Football Festival will take place Saturday, April 18 at Scott Stadium. Admission and parking for the event are free. Gates open at noon for fans to enjoy interactive games. The Virginia football team will take the field at 2 p.m.
2009 Virginia Football Schedule
Sept. 5 William & Mary
Sept. 12 TCU
Sept. 19 at Southern Mississippi
Oct. 3 at North Carolina
Oct. 10 Indiana
Oct. 17 at Maryland
Oct. 24 Georgia Tech
Oct. 31 Duke
Nov. 7 at Miami
Nov. 14 Boston College
Nov. 21 at Clemson
Nov. 28 Virginia Tech
Game times to be announced later.