With Saturday's devastating loss to Virginia Tech still lingering in the minds of many Virginia football fans, the Cavs realize that they have to put the past behind them.
Forget the fact that the slaughter occurred in front of a record crowd of 51,800. Forget the fact that the game was televised nationally for millions to see.
Virginia coach George Welsh and his squad want to forget about the past and focus on the task at hand; the Cavs (3-2, 2-1, ACC) will face Conference foe Duke (0-4, 0-1, ACC) Saturday.
"Forget the past," Welsh said, quoting a Russian proverb. "I was hoping to be 4-1, I really was, but we couldn't quite steal [a game against] Clemson or Virginia Tech. Maybe we did steal one at BYU. Maybe it could have been 2-3. We're not in the best position, but we're not in the worst position."
He also said he recognizes that the team should not look too far into the future.
"We have to stay focused," he added. "We can't be thinking ahead. We've got to be thinking about getting better on the practice field and practicing against the team we're playing that week."
Quarterback Dan Ellis, who was sacked twice in the first half and four times in the second, also would like to forget about the game against the No. 5 Hokies.
"I think we have to put it behind us," Ellis said. "You have to keep it in the back of your mind because you don't want to be embarrassed like that again. But you have to forget it and move on to the next game."
The upcoming match-up with Duke is not one the Cavs will take lightly. Not only is it a rebounding and rebuilding game, but it is an important Conference match.
"Duke still gets up for us," Welsh said. "They don't like us. We should not overlook Duke, not in our situation. They've given us fits defensively. Our offense has struggled against them for two years now. It's our defense that's played well and kept us in the game, but we don't have the defense this year we've had the last two years."
This defense has been the subject of much criticism since Saturday's game. Plagued by coverage breakdowns and numerous errors, the Cav secondary could not prevent Tech quarterback Michael Vick from creating an offensive threat on the field.
"Whatever coverage we're playing we've got to be in a little better position and play with better technique," Welsh said. "We don't have the kind of people we've had before to make plays. I'm hoping that each week they'll get a little bit better."
Cornerback Tim Spruill is one of the players who has been subjected to such criticism. Spruill, like his teammates, does not want to dwell upon Saturday's thrashing and is prepared to improve his performance.
"We have faith in each other," Spruill said. "I got beat a few times, but you have to get over it. I need to turn up my practice habits. I don't condone the way I played. It's time for me to step in practice and for this team to turn its practice habits up. I was exploited versus Virginia Tech. I hope they try it again. You mess with a wounded dog and he'll bite you. Right now I'm a wounded dog."
On the injury front, defensive backs Dwayne Stukes and Antwan Harris are still questionable for Saturday's game. Tight end Casey Crawford's status is also uncertain as he recovers from a hernia operation.
"The chemistry is still there," defensive tackle Maurice Anderson said. "It'd be nice if we had a couple more healthy bodies, but we just have to step up our level of play and improve our communication."
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