Never in my 38 years of following the Hoos (0-3) has there been a team more in need of a week off from losing. Jameel Sewell played the best game of his career against Southern Mississippi on Saturday throwing for 312 yards in the loss. Early in the game Sewell looked like the player he was in 2006. Confident, agile and throwing the ball with a very nice touch. Sewell’s 69 yard TD thrown to Tim Smith, was one of the most beautiful throws I have ever seen.
At tailback we got a peek into the future with Torrey Mack and Dominique Wallace both getting meaningful touches throughout the game. Filing in for the injured Mikell Simpson, both of these guys showed why the coaching staff was so high on them coming into the season. The wide receivers, collectively, played their best game of the 2009 campaign.
On the defensive side of the ball the play calling had more rhythm and the linebackers looked much more aggressive. Steve Greer continued his outstanding play at linebacker as did Corey Mosley at his safety position. I also thought linebacker Darren Childs played the best game of his career. Chase Minnifield (10 tackles) showed a new-found toughness at the corner, and delivered the blow of the game while knocking unconscious Southern Mississippi wide receiver Johdrick Morris. The hit certainly drew the anger of the USM fans as well as their coaching staff and later Chase was hammered on a punt return out-of-bounds by Southern Mississippi in what certainly looked like an angry, retaliatory hit.
I don’t think anything short of Virginia finishing with 9 straight wins can save Al Groh’s job, but the Hoos played a much better game Saturday than they have since beating highly favored Georgia Tech last season. Sadly for all Hoos fans, that fun-filled day in October was also the last time Virginia won a game.