In the next month, the ACC football title will be decided and the Cavaliers will enter their hardest stretch of the season.
Virginia faces NC State, Maryland, Georgia Tech and arch-rival Virginia Tech in November, all of whom currently post winning records. Coach Al Groh plans to rely heavily on the contributions of players who have shown continued improvement thus far this season.
Last year, Groh played a number of true and red-shirt freshmen in major roles, leading to an accelerated development at certain positions that has continued into this year's campaign. Groh acknowledged the fact that sometimes he puts players into games to get experience even though they do not grasp all the details of their position.
"I think it's always a combination of a guy developing an expertise at the position because of his experience, and then just playing the high end talent who can do things physically that even the well-versed player can't make," Groh said.
Groh used sophomore linebacker Darryl Blackstock, who leads the teams in sacks with 3 as an example of a player whose experience last year was instrumental in his development.
"Once he got in the lineup, we knew he was going to get 600 plays and that made it worth playing him," Groh said. "Had there been somebody in front of him, and that player had caused Darryl to play 75 plays, then that wouldn't have been worth the trade off."
Senior Raymond Mann, who transitioned early in his career from a down lineman to an outside linebacker, has shown a great deal of progression with the extended playing time he has received this season. Groh said that "just more turns" has allowed Mann to develop faster than he did in the first two years of his career.
"The way the progression of his career has been, he had to make that position change spring of his sophomore year, so that was a big transitional year for him," Groh said.
Mann and other players who have gained considerable experience at their positions should factor heavily into the Cavaliers' ability to succeed down the stretch.
Junior Alvin Pearman has contributed heavily and has given Groh no choice but to play him extensively along with talented backfield mate, sophomore Wali Lundy. Pearman impressed in Lundy's recent absence, setting a U.Va. record for receptions in a game with 16, and averaging 4.8 yards a carry.
"Alvin certainly has done remarkably well and he's going to continue to get his turns," Groh said.
Players like Pearman have advanced so much that there isn't much of a drop-off in talent when fatigue sets in late in the season.
"Particularly down the home stretch here, this time of year we can keep both [Lundy and Pearman] a little bit fresher," Groh said.
Sophomore Brennan Schmidt also has accelerated his role, registering 51 tackles, second on the defensive line only to junior end Chris Canty.
"He's really done a good job. Every game has been an above par performance for him," Groh said.
As the Cavaliers take on NC State this week, crucial players will continue to improve and add to Virginia's push to win its last four regular season games.
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