Virginia football coach Al Groh reaffirmed in a teleconference yesterday that he is not dissatisfied with the Cavaliers despite their narrow one-point win over Division I-AA Richmond on Saturday.
"I don't know that I'm dissatisfied in the team in any respect," Groh said. "I wish the team was better, but that will come with working harder and improving our talent base."
Groh plans on diligently recruiting a very strong class this season.
"The chase is never over until Denny's closes," Groh said.
According to Groh, he plans on changing and adapting Virginia's look over the course of the season. After only two games, Groh believes he still does not know enough about the team to decide who his permanent starting 11 will be.
"It's difficult to get an accurate reading on any team this early," Groh said. "It takes a few games for a team to discover itself. Our team over the course of this year won't be exactly the team that I wish us to be eventually."
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Groh expects the Cavaliers to remain competitive no matter who they play.
"You better be competitive every week or get out of the business," Groh said.
Overall, Groh was pleased with junior running back Arlen Harris's first start of the season. Harris rushed for 99 yards on 24 carries.
Arlen "essentially didn't take part in spring practice" because of injury, Groh said. "I've had to learn about Arlen on the go. He showed some explosiveness, but was erratic in his running too."
Groh recognized that Virginia's next game against Penn State on Thursday will be a tough one.
"They might have the three best [running] backs that we'll play all year," Groh said. "They have two wide receivers with dramatic speed. They have 12 guys on defense. [Junior defensive tackle Jimmy] Kennedy counts as two."
When Virginia hosts Penn State, Nittany Lion coach Joe Paterno will be playing for his 323rd career win, which would tie him with college coaching legend Bear Bryant for most career wins in a major college program.
Paterno is "close to doing something that no one before him has ever done," Groh said. "But his contribution to society goes way beyond what can be recorded in wins"
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