Football Blog

Sims, if healthy, will start Saturday against Duke

Virginia coach Mike London hinted on his weekly radio show Monday that sophomore quarterback Philip Sims will receive snaps with the first team this week and earn his first start Saturday against Duke—provided he recovers from a lower leg injury suffered in last week’s 44-38 loss to Louisiana Tech.

The move follows another dicey performance from incumbent starter junior Michael Rocco last Saturday. Rocco finished 14 of 23 for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, going just 1 of 6 after his first pick bounced off the hands of sophomore receiver Dominique Terrell. Despite suffering the lower leg injury in relief of Rocco, Sims went 10 of 17 for 166 yards and two touchdowns to spearhead a Virginia rally from a 44-24 rally.

A transfer from Alabama, Sims is now 28 of 46 for 340 yards, 5 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first season as a Cavalier. He hails from Chesapeake, Va. and graduated Oscar Smith High School as Virginia’s all-time leader in passing yards (10,725) and touchdowns (119).