Author: trent-thurston

There is not much more painful to hear as a Virginia fan than hearing those awful words," Pam Ward will be calling the action for your team today". The only thing worse is when you hear her say, "That should wrap it up for North Carolina tonight…"

Virginia lost to their main rival today 28-17 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mike Rocco threw for 287 yards as he was 22/36 and 1 touchdown. Rocco also threw 2 picks for the Hoos as well. Kevin Parks rushed for 98 yards. No Virginia tailback scored a touchdown.

I’ll have the full run down for you Virginia fans Sunday. Rough one today…
 

Virginia football has struggled on the road since the George Welsh days, and as I sat watching the Indiana game Saturday evening, I thought to myself, “Here we go again”…

This game was a tale of two halves. In the first half the Wahoos looked pretty good. Quarterback Michael Rocco struggled in his first road start of his young career, but he did not appear rattled, or in over his head.

Rocco chucked a badly thrown interception on the first play of the game. The INT was the first turnover of the season for Mike London’s team, but Anthony Poindexter’s special teams blocked Indiana’s field goal attempt, so there was no blood drawn because of the mistake.

Rocco got it turned around, and in the first half he threw for 110 yards. At halftime the Hoos were up 16-3, and things were starting to click on all cylinders for offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s squad.

In the third quarter, well, things fell apart for the Hoos. Both teams had a turnover, but Virginia only gained 37 yards compared to IU’s 146. Virginia only made one first down in the third stanza, compared to eight for Indiana. IU’s all-world receiver Demarlo Belcher and their other receiver Duwyce Wilson started to use their size advantage to pick on the smaller Virginia corners.

As the 4th quarter began, the Hoos were up 23-10, and things were looking like London was almost certainly going to win the first road-game of his short tenure in C-Ville.

Scratch all the positivity Hoos fans! Yikes… Indiana scored on four straight possessions in the 4th including a fumble in the backfield by Perry Jones that was returned 54-yards by Lawrence Barnett. The crowd was back in the game, and the momentum was clearly back to the Indiana side of the ball.

Coach London on his teams morale after losing the big lead: "We were down eight and the guys started talking about, ‘we’re going to come back and win this game.’ They started talking about, ‘when we score, we’re going to go for two.’ That kind of talk – you could look cross-eyed at someone – but I think that you start to build a level of confidence in what’s going on in the moment and we spoke it and it happened. We have to start finding ways to win games. To grind out big wins by a lot, by a little, last second, whatever it is.”

IU went up 31-23 with 6:34 to go in the game after a Wright-Baker 18-yard pass to Wilson. Game over, right? Not so fast…

The next possession for Virginia, the Hoos marched the ball down the field as Rocco completed 4/8 passes for 35-yards, and tailback Perry Jones carried the rock six times for 22-yards including a 3 yard TD run. The game was tied at 31-31.

Things were really starting to look like we were headed for an overtime affair, and then all of the sudden…wham! Virginia defensive end Cam Johnson just hammered IU’s quarterback Wright-Baker. Cam strip-sacked the QB and ended up with the ball. Virginia ran a couple of conservative plays, and as time expired, senior kicker Robert Randolph kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the Hoos the win.

Virginia did not play perfectly in this game. Four turnovers, no 100-yard rushing effort for any Wahoo tailback, and no 100-yard day for any Wahoo receiver. But what they did do was get to 2-0, just four more wins from being bowl eligible, which should be the goal of this program year in and year out. Finishing 6 for 6 in the red zone is pretty damn good as well. A win is a win, and all the fancy-ass statistics in the world aren’t better than simply putting a W in the win column.

Go Hoos! Virginia plays UNC Saturday down in Chapel Hill at 3:30 p.m. in what is the South’s oldest rivalry, before returning to Charlottesville to play Southern Mississippi at 3:30 p.m. in Scott Stadium. The UNC game is on ESPNU, and the USM game will be televised by Comcast Sports Net.
 

Wow. Longtime Virginia fans were whooping it up Saturday evening like never before. Road losses were in the past. Time for a new era in Virginia football. That was all the feeling till the second-half, when the collective Wahoo sphincter tightened up like it was 1990 all over again.

Virginia went into halftime with a 16-3 lead, and everything seemed to be clicking on all cylinders, until Indiana roared back and scored 28 points in the second-half.

The orange and blue were down by 8 points in the fourth quarter with 6:34 to go in the game, but marched down the field and tied things up. The drive was capped by Perry Jones’ 3-yard TD run with 1:36 remaining, and was followed by Michael Rocco chucking and completing a two-point conversion to tight end Paul Freedman for the tie.

Things looked bad for the Wahoo faithful as the 4th quarter ticked away with the Hoosiers in charge, that is until defensive end Cam Johnson went in and recored nearly a decapitating hit on IU’s QB Edward Wright-Baker forcing a fumble that Johnson simply took away from Wright-Baker. Mike London’s team was close to the end zone after the possession change, and London opted to play for the field goal. And 4th year kicker Robert Randolph was up for the task as he booted through a 23-yard field goal as the clock expired to give Virginia their first road win since 2009.

Virginia’s quarterback Michael Rocco struggled in his second start of his young college career going 15/29 for 192 yards with 0 TD’s, and two picks. True freshman quarterback David Watford played just a few plays and finished just 1/1 for 7 yards, and he rushed once for just 2 yards.

Perry Jones carried the ball 22 times for 78 yards and 1 TD, and he also was Virginia’s leading receiver with 85 yards on 5 receptions.

I will have a full write-up of this game tomorrow afternoon. Go Hoos! Questions, comments? trent@c-ville.com
 

Virginia travels to Big Ten country Saturday for the second-game in a two-game series with Indiana. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m, and the game will be televised exclusively by the Big Ten Network.

In 2009, the Hoos pounded Indiana 47-7 in Charlottesville behind 4 TD’s from Mikell Simpson. Virginia’s effort in that game paid off, and was its biggest offensive output in five seasons.

Last week, Virginia starting things off on the right foot by dispatching William & Mary 40-3. In that game we learned that QB Michael Rocco can manage this team down the field to pay dirt, and that freshman David Watford is not going to redshirt and will likely play an important role on this team as well.

We also learned that the Hoos have (perhaps) the deepest running back corps in more than 15 years. Three tailbacks (as well as two fullbacks) will have shots at carrying the rock for Bill Lazor’s offense, and they all bring bring different positive attributes to the position.

Indiana struggled last weekend in a 27-20 loss to in-state foe Ball State. But, watch out, because they do have a big-time receiver to look out for in #88 senior Demarlo Belcher. Belcher gives quarterback Edward Wright-Baker a big-play option, and he is currently the Big Ten’s active leader in receptions and yardage. Belcher is 6-foot-5, and will be a handful for Virginia’s much smaller corners, Minnifield, and Nicholson. Wright-Baker played in 5 games in 2010, and was 20/32 for 272 yards with no picks thrown last week against Ball State.

Virginia is 42-74-3 all-time in road openers, and the Hoos did not win a single road game in Mike London’s first season in C-Ville. All-time Virginia is only 5-11 against teams from the Big Ten. In their last game, the Hoos gave up only 169 total yards, and IU gave up 383 yards to Ball State.

Defensively, IU is led by defensive end Darius Johnson. Last season, the talented end led the Big Ten in tackles. The Hoosiers run multiple sets up front and like to mix it up. Sometimes they run a 5-0 front, other times a 3-3, and they also use a 4-3 that is similar to the one Jim Reid’s defense runs.

Indiana runs the pistol formation on offense. To complicate matters further, the Hoosiers also run a hurry-up offense. The pistol has the QB take the snap from the shotgun with a tailback a couple of yards directly behind him. Virginia’s young linebackers will have to stay at home and not over-pursue if the Hoos have a chance to shut down this style of offense.

Prediction? Well, if the Hoos can limit Belcher’s catches and also not let Indiana get anything going in the running game well it just might be smooth sailing for the Hoos on Saturday. Virginia will need to establish the run early, and play turnover-free football like they did a week ago. Hoos 34 and Indiana 17.

I’d love to see Virginia’s Colter Phillips have a huge game. His brother Paul is a back-up TE on the Hoosiers, and they will have a ton of family and friends at the game. Unfortunately, Colter will be a game-time decision to play because of a lower leg injury sustained last week. Go Hoos!
 

Virginia looked pretty solid Saturday in first game of the season against William & Mary. A 40-3 victory is just what the young Wahoos needed. Sophomore quarterback Mike Rocco stared the contest 11-11 until being replaced by true freshman David Watford. The plan all along was to get Watford in the game early, and Rocco was not benched because he wasn’t playing well.

Redshirt freshman Kevin Parks was as good as advertised. The solidly built 5-8 tailback ran for 114 yards and 3 TD’s. I love how low to the ground he plays, which makes him very difficult to bring down. He seems to understand how to run in space as well as in tight quarters.

Coach London on Parks: "I thought Kevin showed what we’d been seeing in practice for the last couple months. He’s very explosive. He can run. He can run away from people. He can run over people. I’m happy for him because he waited his time with the backs we had last year. He got bigger, faster, stronger and had an opportunity to go out there today and do some pretty neat things. I’m happy for the success of him, and for the success of the entire team.”

Jim Reid’s defense played an outstanding game. As I was looking over the statistics after the game, one stat really looked interesting to me- tons of guys made tackles. 7 guys made 3 tackles, 3 guys made 4 tackles, and another 7 players were credited with 2 tackles.

Will Hill was the player of the game defensively for me. His motor is awesome, and he has really progressed from last season. Another player of the game on defense was cornerback Demetrious Nicholson. I was super impressed with Nicholson’s speed, and his hip movement. William & Mary’s QB’s picked on him early and often, and he was right there in the receivers jockstraps.

You cannot teach speed, or quick hip movement, and Nicholson also has that indefinable “it”. I realize this game was not against an ACC caliber opponent, but for a true freshman to start at corner, and play that damn well is a huge accomplishment.

Nicholson on his INT: "I had visions before this game of me catching a pick, and it came true. Coach West always told me to believe what I see. How I caught that pick was that I ran through the quarterback’s three-step. We practice that everyday and I was able to hop in front of it and catch it."

The Hoos play Indiana this Saturday on the road. The Hoosiers are coming off a disappointing loss to Ball State, and will be hungry for a victory.
 

Virginia’s starting quarterback Michael Rocco started the game 11-11 passing, and he looked solid for Mike London’s Wahoos, but he was still replaced in the second quarter by freshman David Watford. Watford struggled (bad play calls), but the Hoos have seemed in control in every facet of the game so far.

London mentioned this week to the press that Watford would most likely play early in the game for the Hoos.

The Wahoos lead the Tribe 13-0 at the half. Rocco is 14/18 for 92 yards at the break. Chase Minnifield had an INT returned for a TD overturned because of a bullshit pass interference call in the second quarter.

William & Mary has struggled mightily in the first-stanza on offense, and the Tribe’s quarterback Mike Paulus is just 2/11 for 8 yards passing.

Go Hoos! 

Mike Rocco’s debut as Virginia’s starting quarterback was an extremely successful one, as he started 11 for 11 and finished 21/29 for 174 yards, and most importantly, he did it without turnovers. All three quarterbacks played for Mike London’s Wahoos Saturday evening in oppressive humidity in Charlottesville, but there is no quarterback controversy in Hooville. Rocco is clearly the starter going forward.

Virginia’s offensive line manhandled the Tribe’s defense in route to a 40-3 win, and the game was never in doubt after about the first 6 minutes.

Redshirt freshman Kevin Parks stole the show for Bill Lazor’s offense as he rushed 16 times for 114 yards and 3 TD’s. Starting tailback Perry Jones carried the ball 12 times for 56 yards. Also, freshman Clifton Richardson looked solid as he carried the rock 7 times for 57 yards and 1 touchdown.

The thing that impressed me most with this effort was that there were no big plays given up by Jim Reid’s defense- and that was a huge problem last season. Freshman Demetrious Nicholson is the real deal at corner, and he had a nice interception in the second-half that he almost took to the house.

I will have a full write-up tomorrow. Unfortunately, have a sick baby named Cooper that requires my attention. Go Hoos! I am very proud how London’s boys played today.
 

It’s finally here. College football has arrived with all it’s pageantry, colors, fight songs, sundresses, and beautiful scenery. It’s almost time to sip bourbon and cold beer (hopefully not at the same time) in a 100-degree parking lot.

First up on the docket for Mike London’s Wahoos will be the Tribe of William & Mary Saturday @ 6 p.m. Jimmye Laycock knows London well since he was his his first ever boss in the college coaching ranks. London was on Laycock’s staff from 1991-94. Coach London also met his wife Regina while depositing a paycheck from William & Mary at the bank.

Last time these two teams met, Earlysville native R.J. Archer carved up the Hoos’ defense up in route to 26-14 win for the Tribe. William & Mary scored the last 20 points of the game, and Virginia committed 7 turnovers. The loss was the first suffered to a FCS team since the Hoos lost to the Tribe in 1986.

Virginia has tons to prove this season, and should enter this game with a chip on their collective shoulders. No one nationally has much hope the Hoos can have a special season, and most of the pundits think the Hoos will improve on last season (4-8), but will not get back to .500 and a bowl berth.

Mike Rocco will be the starter for Bill Lazor’s offense, but at some point, freshman David Watford will see action as well. Virginia’s strength is their offensive line, and Perry Jones, and powerful tailback Kevin Parks will carry the rock for the Hoos. Tim Smith, Matt Snyder, and then two freshman wideouts (Dominique Terrell, Darius Jennings) will provide some big play potential that last been lacking the last few seasons in Charlottesville. Senior Kris Burd is also an excellent target for Rocco.

Defensively, the Cavaliers are deeper than they were a year ago, but still lack overall depth at most positions, especially up front. Chase Minnifield is back at one corner, and a true freshman named Demetrious Nicholson will start his first ever college game Saturday at the other corner. Nicholson is small, but had a great Fall camp.

Steve Greer, who had 59 tackles last season is back again at linebacker, and he and LaRoy Reynolds are expected to have nice years in Jim Reid’s 4-3 defense.

William & Mary offense boasts a talented tailback named Jonathan Grimes. Grimes is the pre-season player of the year in the CAA, and he is a multi-talented player that excels catching the ball out of the backfield, as well as running it. Signal caller and Tar Heel’s transfer Mike Paulus is returning from off-season labrum surgery, and it’s widely known that he is still not 100% quite yet. He’s backed up by sophomore Brent Caprio.

The Tribe also have an excellent tight end named Alex Gottlieb, who is a 6-4, 255 pound target for Paulus.

Defensively, the Tribe runs a similar scheme to Virginia’s 4-3. One of their their best returning players is defensive back B.W. Webb. Webb is also a talented punt returner as well. Linebacker Dante Cook is coming off a breakout sophomore season, and has returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his young career. They return 7 starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Virginia is deeper, faster, and has more size at most positions, but they did as well in 2009, when they were embarrassed by Laycock’s boys in Charlottesville. The Hoos should win this game in convincing fashion, but if Rocco struggles, and the offense turns the ball over, anything can happen.

Fearless prediction? Hoos 30- Tribe 16 A big game for Perry Jones, and Tim Smith. Greer, and true freshman Daquan Romero will lead the Hoos in tackles. 

Mike London announced Monday afternoon that Mike Rocco will be the starting quarterback for the William & Mary game on September 3. The Hoos open up Mike London’s second-season in Charlottesville as the Tribe come to town for a six o’clock affair. Rocco played sparingly in relief of Marc Verica in 2010, but he has won the job with his strong play during the Summer camp.

We all remember what transpired the last time Jimmye Laycock’s boys headed-up I-64 as they kicked Virginia’s ass all over the field. In that game played in 2009, the Hoos gave up 7 sacks to the Tribe, and were also 5-17 on third-down conversions. William & Mary scored ten points in the fourth quarter to seal the win in Charlottesville.

Coach London also told the media that 10-12 first-years will see the field this season. Ross Metheny will start the season as the number two guy at the QB position, and true freshman David Watford will be the third string quarterback. London has said before that Watford will most likely play at some point.

Go Hoos! 

Virginia released their 2011-12 hoops schedule Wednesday, and it includes 16-games at home including the normal 8 ACC contests. Tony Bennett’s Wahoos hope to improve on his first season in Charlottesville where he finished 16-15 overall, and 7-9 in the ACC. Virginia was 5-5 in their last ten games of the year.

There aren’t a lot of potential JPJ sellouts at home in the non-conference slate, but I am psyched to see Michigan come to town for the ACC/Big-10 Challenge on November 29, as well as in-state foe George Mason, who comes to C-Ville on December 6th. Another interesting matchup will be when the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay plays the Hoos on November 25th. Tony Bennett is the all-time leading scorer at Green Bay.

Here is the schedule:

Nov. 13 South Carolina State Home 2:00 p.m.
Nov. 15 Winthrop Home 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 18 TCU (U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam) St. Thomas, USVI 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 19 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam St. Thomas, USVI TBD
Nov. 20 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam St. Thomas, USVI TBD
Nov. 21 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam St. Thomas, USVI TBD
Nov. 25 Green Bay Home 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 29 Michigan (Big Ten/ACC Challenge) Home 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 3 Longwood Home 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 6 George Mason Home 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 18 Oregon Eugene, OR TBD
Dec. 21 Seattle Seattle, WA 10:00 p.m.
Dec. 27 Maryland-Eastern Shore Home 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 30 Towson Home 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 2 LSU Baton Rouge, LA TBD
Jan. 7 Miami Home 6:00 p.m.
Jan. 12 Duke Durham, NC 9:00 p.m.
Jan. 19 Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA 8:00 p.m.
Jan. 22 Virginia Tech Home 6:00 p.m.
Jan. 26 Boston College Home 9:00 p.m.
Jan. 28 NC State Raleigh, NC 8:00 p.m.
Jan. 31 Clemson Home 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 4 Florida State Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 8 Wake Forest Home 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 14 Clemson Clemson, SC 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 18 Maryland Home 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 21 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 9:00 p.m.
Feb. 25 North Carolina Home 4:00 p.m.
March 1 Florida State Home 7:00 p.m.
March 4 Maryland College Park, MD 2:00 p.m. 
March 8-11 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Atlanta, GA TBD

This schedule should be considered tentative and subject to change.
All times Eastern Time