When the Virginia Cavaliers meet Akron University this Saturday, it will be a tale of two different teams going in two very different directions.
No. 12 Virginia (2-0) is poised to crack into the top 10 rankings for the first time in six years while the Zips (0-2) are still searching for their first win of the season.
Akron, which entered the season with high hopes of being the MAC sleeper team, has been brought back to reality, losing their two opening games in a fashion completely different from Virginia's two wins. The Zips quarterback Charlie Frye, who was hyped as a preseason Heisman candidate, has been labeled by many as the next great quarterback to emerge from a conference rich in producing NFL starters. Frye has put up impressive numbers to date, throwing for 622 yards, two TDs and three interceptions. While Frye might have slipped under the radar the last time he faced Virginia, he has not gone unnoticed this time around.
"Well, it helps us in that for three weeks in a row now we're dealing with a team with a spreadout offense," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "This is a big arm quarterback who can get the ball all over the field."
When Akron visited Scott Stadium two years ago the team laid to waste a thin Virginia secondary. Frye had a field day throwing for 335 yards and one touchdown during the 48-29 Virginia win. The Cavalier front seven only recorded two sacks against an inferior Akron offensive line, giving Frye time to sit in the pocket and pick the secondary apart. Much has changed since then, not only in terms of personnel, but also in terms of Virginia's defensive philosophy.
During that 2002-2003 season, only Groh's second in Charlottesville, Virginia's defense was far less aggressive than it is now but the unit didn't have that luxury. With only one complete recruiting class under his belt, Groh had to modify his game plan to fit the players he had. This most likely left him unavailable to run the system he wanted to, both offensively and defensively. Now he has the players he needs to not only run his pro-style 4-3 defensive scheme, but to dominate opposing offenses with it as well.
The return of this aggressive style of play means that the front seven are as integral a part of the pass defense as the secondary. With the defensive line and linebackers able to put constant pressure on the quarterback, it allows the cornerbacks and safeties to play tighter one-on-one coverage, instead of having to play five to 10 yards off the line.
Virginia's starting secondary, consisting of sophomore cornerbacks Tony Franklin and Marcus Hamilton and senior safeties Jermaine Hardy and Marquis Weeks lacks depth as well as experience. Weeks is a switchover from the Cavaliers' loaded backfield and of the players backing up the starters, 13 of 14 are only freshman or sophomores. The lone upperclassman in the unit is junior CB David Hale. Yet while the secondary is young and inexperienced, the depth and talent up front takes pressure off of the unit. This not only allows for a slight margin of error but should also help foster the learning curve of the entire secondary.
While Frye should present a challenge for the entire Virginia defense Saturday, he is the only weapon in a punchless Akron offense, which lost all of its starting receivers from last season. Defensively, the Zips are even worse off, giving up an average of 208 yards rushing per game, which should bode well for the Virginia backfield and could lead to another 300-yard performance.
Although on paper Virginia seems to have the upper hand, the Cavaliers know they've come too far to overlook any of their opponents.
"I think it's a team thing," running back Wali Lundy said. "We've got to keep each other focused. You've got to have a team union and be like, 'we've got to play hard every week' if you want to accomplish something."
The Cavaliers have already made a statement early this season but have much higher aspirations for the rest of the season -- this weekend the Cavaliers hope to continue their ascent into college football's elite.
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