Cavalier senior linebacker Rich Bedesem received his first start of year Saturday afternoon during No. 14 Virginia's 37-16 triumph over the Blue Devils. The 6-foot-2, 234-pound inside linebacker started in place of Kai Parham, who came off the bench for the first time this season.
Until Saturday, The Sporting News' No. 1-ranked linebacking unit of Butkus award semifinalist Ahmad Brooks, Darryl Blackstock, Dennis Haley and Parham had remained intact. But Virginia coach Al Groh warned the team after the Florida State game that no position was safe, and he proved his seriousness versus Duke.
"Every week is a tryout," Groh said. "There's competition every week. It's based on how you played in the previous game and how you played in the previous week of practice. There are enough talented players on the team that it should remain that way."
Bedesem contributed three tackles against the Blue Devils and made a goal line stop on Duke quarterback Mike Schneider on the Blue Devils' fourth possession. The Cavaliers forced a turnover on downs two plays later to remain in front 13-7 and never relinquished their lead.
"Richie gave us good production," Groh said. "The rotation took some plays from Brooks and Parham, and we think allowed them to be fresher."
Bedesem started the first four games last season next to Ahmad Brooks but missed the North Carolina game because of an injury. His absence gave an opportunity to Parham, who took full advantage and started all but one game the rest of the season and led the team in tackles on three occasions.
The Duke contest also marked the first game in which Alvin Pearman was the leader in rush attempts. Before the Blue Devils matchup, Wali Lundy had received the most carries in every game except North Carolina, in which Michael Johnson rushed a team-high 14 times. Pearman took full advantage of his 38-carry day, exploding for 228 yards -- the first Cavalier tailback to break the 200-yard barrier this season. Pearman was one yard and one carry short of two school records.
"We're all interchangeable in the backfield," Pearman said. "Any one of us could have gotten the job done [Saturday]."
News and Notes
Talented freshman tight end Tom Santi saw some extended time playing fullback versus Duke on Saturday with starting fullback Jason Snelling sidelined with an ankle sprain. Former Virginia tight end/fullback Kase Luzar filled a similar role for the Cavaliers the past two seasons. Like Luzar, Santi dons number 86. "Maybe there's a little magic left in that old top hat," Groh said of Santi sharing Luzar's jersey number. ... Groh was not pleased with a few pass interference calls versus the Blue Devils Saturday. He referenced a pass interference call on a Schneider pass that landed five yards out of bounds and said, "I don't know how catchable that makes it." ... Senior midseason All-American Elton Brown earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors this week for the second time this season and fourth in his career. Brown had a perfect pancake block on a Blue Devil defender to spring Alvin Pearman for his three-yard touchdown run at the beginning of the fourth quarter. ... With the upcoming bye week, the Virginia football players will be off until Thursday.
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