Virginia football coach Al Groh praised the squad's go-to guy for his performance against Maryland on Saturday. Junior wide receiver Billy McMullen is becoming one of the better receivers in the nation after a slow sophomore season, Groh said at his press conference.
In Saturday's game, McMullen racked up 175 yards on 11 catches and scored on a 63-yard pass from quarterback Matt Schaub. That was his eighth touchdown reception on the year, which leads every receiver in the nation.
In five games this year, McMullen has 36 catches for 466 yards. He is leading the ACC with 93.2 yards per game. Groh believes that as long as opponents do not have any special coverage schemes against McMullen, Virginia will continue to throw the ball in his direction.
"I don't think [we go to him too much], not when he can catch passes for 173 yards," Groh said.
When asked if it is possible to lean too heavily on one receiver, Groh was quite blunt.
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"Only when it is not working," he said. "I got my eyes open for [specialty coverages] though. But if you can move guys around the formation, it is hard [for the other team] to put [specialty coverages] on our players."
McMullen is quickly moving up the chart on all-time Virginia receiving records. In only his junior year, he ranks 11th in receptions (94), fifth in touchdowns (17), and ninth in yards (1,490).
McMullen, however, prefers not to discuss his records or season with the media.
"It's just a personal preference," Groh said. "I've been with a number of other players who didn't feel comfortable with it. Billy's a very gregarious, enjoyable person to be with. If that's what he chooses, he just wants to be private or guarded or whatever it may be."
Virginia must learn from mental errors
Groh said yesterday that the Cavaliers would have to learn from their mistakes at Maryland if they are going to be competitive this weekend against a tough North Carolina team.
Although he stressed that he would not alter the practice routine, Groh said the Cavaliers must change their attitude if they want to compete for the ACC title in the 2001 season.
"You often hear coaches - and hear players say too - that sometimes when you win, some of the lessons as to the things that make you win or cause you to lose aren't as profoundly apparent," Groh said. "When you lose, everything comes under greater scrutiny and has a little bigger impact, and the pain that was associated with it. It seems that the tip of the arrow is a little bit sharper when it follows those circumstances."
Groh said he hopes that his players are practicing and preparing as hard as they can because if it takes a loss like the one on Saturday to get their attention, the coaches are not doing their jobs.
He also said Virginia must eliminate mental errors and capitalize on opportunities. Against Maryland, the Cavaliers could not score a single point in their first three drives despite starting with great field position at the Maryland 36-yard line on the first drive and on the Virginia 44 and 46-yard lines on the two following drives.
Virginia also must take advantage of defensive stops and turnovers, Groh said. The defense was stellar the first quarter of the game, but an anemic offense kept the defense on the field too long, which wore it down by the end of the contest.
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