The football gods certainly have a twisted sense of humor.
In the last home game of his career, quarterback Dan Ellis was forced to sit out an entire game for the second time this year because of a strained hamstring. Saturday Ellis watched as his backup, redshirt freshman Bryson Spinner, led Virginia to a 24-17 victory over N.C. State.
You would expect that with the roller coaster career Ellis has had, the gods at least would have given him a chance to play this game. But the 6-foot-2, 218-pound senior faced this adversity with the same poise and courage he has shown in the pocket against blitzing defenses.
Ellis showed up as always at his team's weekly press conference yesterday and answered the obvious question of how it felt not to play against the Wolfpack. Though the trademark Ellis smile wasn't as bright as usual, his charisma and gravelly voice carried him through the gauntlet of reporters.
"It was frustrating, it was cold - it was extremely agonizing," Ellis said. "You can't imagine how hard it is to know that the second half of your senior year, you're going to be in and out, you're not at 100 percent when you are in, and it's difficult to get into a rhythm."
Ellis started his career in an equally infrequent way, spending his first two seasons as Aaron Brooks' backup. In his first collegiate game in 1997, Ellis was thrown into the fire after Brooks injured his ankle late in the second quarter against a fierce Florida State defense. Facing the Seminoles is daunting for anyone, but especially for a true freshman.
Ellis made the most of a difficult situation, however, throwing for a touchdown and running for another in the 47-21 loss. While not his best game, it is the strongest memory for Ellis of his career.
"The thing that I'll remember most is probably Florida State my first year," Ellis said. "Just the fact that it was the first time I ever played and it was against the No. 1 team in the country. I was a true freshman, and I did pretty well."
In 1999 Ellis began his tenure as starter and as the chief recipient of fan criticism. He received more than his share of the blame for the Cavs 3-3 start last season, especially after a 24-17 overtime loss to Duke that Ellis called the lowest point of his career. He threw two interceptions that day, including one in overtime to end the game.
But the best of times for Ellis lurked just around the corner. In the final two regular season games of 1999, Ellis produced his best performances of the season, throwing six touchdowns in a 50-21 blowout against Buffalo and four touchdowns at Maryland for a last-minute 34-30 victory.
The two wins secured a bowl bid and a 13th-straight seven-win season for the Cavaliers while earning Ellis the distinction of becoming the second player in ACC history to throw for 10 touchdowns in two games.
In 2000, Ellis continues to rise in the Virginia record books even while hampered by injury. He is ranked fifth in career passing yards and touchdown passes, and he is tied for fourth with nine career 200-yard passing performances.
Undoubtedly, Ellis wants to be out on the field Saturday against Virginia Tech, but Virginia coach George Welsh said, "He doesn't have to be a starter to contribute."
"To have Dan on the sideline is a big plus," running back Tyree Foreman said. "Because that's a guy who's been in the situation before and he can help you along the way."
Even if the Virginia coaching staff decides Ellis will not be healthy enough to lead the Cavs against Virginia Tech this weekend, his football career may not be over.
Following a possible bowl appearance in December, Ellis is planning to marry high school sweetheart Meghan Hughes, a fourth-year Education student, on June 30. Ellis said he also is contemplating putting his fifth and final year in the Curry School of Education on hold for a chance at playing on Sundays next season, assuming the football gods are kind enough to give a slightly above average collegiate quarterback one more break.
"Very few people have the opportunity to play college football," Ellis said. "Even fewer have the opportunity to play football in the pros. I think I'd be foolish not to go out there and at least give it a shot. Even if I go out there and I do it for a year, dress for one game, maybe even if I don't dress, I can say that I was there and I tried"
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