The UVA athletic department issued a press release Wednesday night stating that starting quarterback Peter Lalich won’t play for the Cavaliers against the University of Connecticut on Saturday. Mark Verica, a redshirt sophomore who took his first college snaps in garbage time against Southern Cal on August 30, will take over as the starter.
“We stand by Peter and in talking with him have made a decision which is best in the short term for him, the team, and our University,” said Groh in the release. “We have a strong set of standards and values on our team that reflect those of the University and we do not compromise those values to win football games.”
The announcement comes a day after a press conference during which Groh defended Lalich and called the media to the carpet for carping about reports that Lalich had violated his probation for an underage possession of alcohol charge. In the press release, Lalich reiterates that he did not violate his probation.
“I love my team and my teammates and the way they have let me know that they trust me and have my back,” Lalich said in the release. “Because I care so much about our team, it is best for me to step back temporarily from my starting position so that my teammates can focus 100 percent on getting ready for the game.”
Why the change of heart from Groh on the status of Lalich? It isn’t clear, but the release includes comment from UVA Athletic Director Craig Littlepage that he supports the decision—suggesting, perhaps, that Littlepage had something to do with the football team’s shifted stance.
“Peter and Coach Groh came to a decision and I fully support it,” Littlepage said in the release. “Over the past 24 hours I’ve had conversations with both Peter and Coach Groh. The focus of our discussions shifted from due process and fairness and moved toward what would be best for Peter and the team, at least until such time that matters were cleared up about his probation status.”