There is an eerie feeling about the start of this football season: It you look at last year’s events, a lot matches up.
In 2007 and 2008, Virginia lost its season openers in humiliating fashion. The Cavaliers had no business losing to Wyoming in 2007, and while many people thought Virginia would lose to USC, losing 52-7 made Virginia a national laughingstock on ESPN and other media outlets this past week. The games following those losses both last year and this year would be seen as a chance for Virginia players to vent some frustration and easily defeat an overwhelmed opponent.
In both seasons, Virginia had a tougher game than it bargained for.
Virginia beat Duke 24-13 in 2007, but the Blue Devils hung in longer than they should have. In fact, at the end of the third quarter Virginia had only a 17-13 lead after Duke scored 11 points in the third quarter. Then sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell was struggling, and then-freshman Peter Lalich had to come in to save the day. After that game, there were many questions about the offense, about whether Virginia would miss a bowl game again like it did in 2006 and about Groh’s potential job status.
The same type of ugly game happened Saturday. Virginia had just a 3-0 lead at the half, which left Cavalier fans stunned. The third quarter wasn’t better either, as Virginia struggled making halftime adjustments. Just as Lalich provided a spark last year, senior wide receiver Kevin Ogletree provided that same spark as his eight receptions for 103 yards had Cavalier fans thinking back to his 2006 days, when Ogletree was Virginia’s go-to receiver.
Like last year, there are major concerns on offense. Last year it was about the passing game. This year, it’s about the running game. I don’t care who Virginia plays — there is no excuse for the Cavaliers to rush for less than 100 yards total, particularly against an out-of-conference opponent who isn’t even playing at the same level of football. While senior Cedric Peerman getting 60 yards on 10 carries was encouraging, junior Mikell Simpson was bottled up throughout the game, which is discouraging, considering Simpson’s homerun ability should have broken this game wide open. If Virginia is struggling to run the ball against Richmond, how will it fare against an ACC opponent?
Also like last year, the offensive line has to replace three starters with unproven players. While the offensive line eventually figured itself out and became a dominant unit, this year the line didn’t dominate like it should have against a smaller Richmond defensive line. Virginia coach Al Groh was disappointed with the line play against USC, and while the defensive line had a better game this past week, the offensive line still leaves a lot to be desired.
Fortunately, however, like last year, Virginia did find a way to win the second game of the year, thanks to Ogletree, senior Vic Hall’s interception return for a touchdown and a defensive line that played well, especially in the second half. A win is a win, and in both cases Virginia pulled though.
Most importantly, Virginia again faces a make-or-break road game on the third weekend of the schedule. Last year, Virginia had to go into Chapel Hill to face a North Carolina squad ready to prove itself, and thanks to a great effort from graduate Chris Long and five field goals from graduate Chris Gould, Virginia beat North Carolina 22-20 in a game that gave Virginia a lot of confidence and helped guide the Cavaliers to a nine-win season.
This Saturday can do the exact same thing for the Cavaliers. I understand this team doesn’t have the star power that last year’s team had, but with how down the ACC is this year, Virginia can still get some momentum and do damage in the league. Connecticut will be pumped for this game. It wants revenge from last year. It’s a primetime game, and the Huskies are looking for their own statement that 2007 wasn’t a fluke year. Call it any cliché you would like — Virginia needs to make a strong statement in this game and come out with a “W.”
Let’s hope history repeats itself. The Cavaliers seem to do well when their backs are up against the wall and they are underdogs; this is their chance to get the ball rolling. If the running game can get going and Lalich plays a smart game, there’s no reason why this game can’t be the start of something good in 2008.
Read More
Coach Brian O’Connor to leave Virginia baseball for Mississippi State, sources say
By David Sewall and Xander Tilock | 18 minutes agoVirginia's venerated leader is leaving.
Virginia men’s golf loses in final match after historic run at NCAA Championship
By Ben McNiff | 3 days agoVirginia made history, and then some more, before falling in the final.
Virginia baseball excluded from NCAA Tournament
By Xander Tilock | 6 days agoThe Cavaliers' season is over.
