Before Saturday, redshirt freshman quarterback Jameel Sewell was developing well after being inserted into the starting role in Virginia's third game. Unfortunately, he ran into a huge roadblock Saturday in Florida State. Under pressure all day from the Seminoles' defensive line, Sewell was sacked seven times. He could not evade the blitz as he did many times against North Carolina and N.C. State. For the game, he finished 17 of 32 for 125 yards and two interceptions. His usual mobility deserted him as well, as he posted negative 26 rushing yards.
"It was terrible out there, as everybody could see. Just terrible," Sewell said. "That's what happens when you come down here not prepared to play."
Sewell had similar statistics against Georgia Tech, going 15 for 31 for 115 yards, with one touchdown, two interceptions and 30 rushing yards on eight carries. He threw four touchdowns against only one interception in the next five games before the Florida State game.
"It shouldn't have been like this, Sewell said, "I went through this at Georgia Tech and should have learned from it. I've played more than five games now. I should be ready for whatever is thrown at me."
Virginia coach Al Groh was not worried about Sewell's poor play being a significant step in the wrong direction, citing a disappointing effort from the entire team.
"The only explanation I can put on it is like a baseball pitcher," Groh said. "He goes out there and doesn't throw any strikes, and he can't ever throw it over the plate. But he wasn't the only one out of synch. He didn't get much help."
Virginia's defense, which was ranked 28th in the nation coming in, had trouble stopping anything that Florida State threw at them. No defensive starter recorded a sack. Only three recorded any tackles for loss, and no starter recorded more than one.
"As a team, we didn't get the job done," cornerback Marcus Hamilton said. The Cavaliers' rushing attack also struggled, amassing only 58 rushing yards on the day. Running back Jason Snelling had 13 carries for 60 yards in the game. Fellow runner Cedric Peerman had three carries for 24 yards in backup duty.
Despite the Florida State game, Sewell's season statistics show that he continues to improve as a starter. He has a 106.5 quarterback rating, has completed 57 percent of his passes for 1050 yards and has 324 rushing yards as well. Excluding the Florida State game, and he has five touchdowns against three interceptions, indicative of a quarterback on the rise.
Despite the setback, the team is determined to further the progress of its young team in its final two games, against Miami and Virginia Tech. Virginia is unlikely to be favored in either game, but if the offense can perform well and minimize turnovers, the team could put itself in a good position entering the 2007-2008 season. Win or lose, Sewell is gaining game experience that will help the Virginia football program return to respectability in the near future.
"It's frustrating, but we're not going to let it set us back any," Sewell said.
Virginia is off this week but returns next week in the final home game of the year against Miami.
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