Most discussions of Virginia football this year have centered around two issues: Virginia's amazing second half comebacks, and the talent and success displayed by the freshmen. But much of the credit for both the comebacks and the success of the freshmen should go to the most experienced unit on the team -- the defensive secondary.
Not only have defensive backs made key game-breaking plays to change the tide of games, but they have also been partly responsible for the 20 sacks recorded by the Cavaliers, which is the second highest in the ACC.
Sophomore cornerback Almondo "Muffin" Curry has earned himself a reputation as a hard-hitting speedy corner, recording two sacks off cornerback blitzes this season.
"I'm not a fan of little players, but I am a fan of highly competitive players," coach Al Groh said of the 5-foot-8, 178-pound Curry. "He understands how to play the game. He's a kind of playmaker guy."
Curry's sacks aren't the only ones for which the secondary should receive credit. A number of the remaining sacks were coverage sacks, when the quarterback couldn't find an open receiver and was forced to hold on to the ball for too long. The good coverage that leads to these sacks has helped freshmen like Kwakou Robinson and Darryl Blackstock on the defensive front. Blackstock has benefited from a few coverage sacks on his way to tying an ACC freshman record eight sacks this season.
Despite a slow start this year, the defensive backs for Virginia have come together and have played a key role in the six-game winning streak that came to an end last week against Georgia Tech.
In the Akron game, junior cornerback Art Thomas made a huge play when he returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown at a key point in the game.
"Well it was an instrumental play in winning the game, obviously," Groh said of Thomas'sinterception against Akron. "We made some plays when the game was very tight and maybe that separated the two teams. He was very opportunistic on the play."
Senior safety Jerton Evans has been the anchor of this solid unit, ranking third on the team in total tackles with 71, including two for loss. He has forced two key fumbles and broken up three passes.
Evans is "playing very well right now," Groh said. "He's one of those guys who brings it every week. As far as leadership goes, that helps set a standard."
Starting beside Evans, senior safety Shernard Newby has made his own contributions to the team, leading the team with three interceptions, while Chris Williams, who rotates in at safety, is right behind Newby with two picks.
Another player who has come into his own this year is junior cornerback Jamaine Winborne, who has recovered two fumbles and recorded three tackles for loss this season. Winborne has impressed his coach with his improving play and attitude.
"He's really done a nice job," Groh said of Winborne. "I can see it in his demeanor, the confidence he projects - a lot more of that corner bravado."
Winborne knows from his two years of previous experience that there is no time to take it easy, which will be important if Virginia wants to become bowl eligible by beating Maryland, the worst team left on their schedule. Maryland's record is 2-1 in the ACC.
"It's always a fight, every game in the ACC," Winborne said.
Curry also has emerged as a huge playmaker, who made one of the most important plays during the 21-point comeback against North Carolina. The play occurred as the Tar Heels were threatening to score in retaliation to Marquis Weeks' opening kick return of the second half. Sam Aiken, who had beaten Curry for a 77-yard touchdown in the first half, pushed Curry down to get open five yards from the endzone. As Aiken caught the ball, Curry knocked the ball loose, and proceeded to recover the fumble just before the ball bounced out of bounds.
"As a cornerback I realize you're not going to make every play," Curry said. "You've just got to keep your head up and keep going, keep playing out there. If you sit around and hang your head about [a bad play], the game is going to seem pretty long for you, you've just got to have poise out there."
Curry's play against North Carolina could be a microcosm for the secondary's season thus far. The Cavaliers stumbled early in the season, giving up nearly 500 yards of offense to Akron, but since then the Cavaliers' defensive backs have clamped down and shown why experience is such a valued commodity in college sports.
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