As the Virginia football team enters the final third of its season, it is slowly running out of time to salvage a winning record. The Cavaliers sit at 3-5 and have lost their last two games, putting more pressure on coach Al Groh to find a way revive his team.
"I got this little sign on my desk that says, 'Just coach the team,'" said Groh. "And so that's what I like to do and that's what my responsibility is, so I just try to coach the team the best way I can every day."
Virginia will have another chance to prove itself Saturday as the team travels to Florida to take on No. 16 Miami. A win could relieve some of the pressure that has been mounting since the beginning of the season.
Speaking of pressure, the Cavaliers will look to exert some of their own against the Hurricanes. Virginia's defensive line, spearheaded by senior end Nate Collins, has been responsible for keeping the occasionally anemic offense within striking distance and is one of the squad's few bright spots.
Collins, who has racked up a team-high five sacks thus far, has turned in several highlight performances in the past several games, including a crucial interception return for a touchdown against Maryland, 10 solo and 16 total tackles against Georgia Tech and two sacks against Duke.
"I'm just trying to play at the highest level I can, just be at the right spot every particular play that I can be and just do the right thing to try to help this team win," Collins said.
As a whole, the defensive line has remained mostly stalwart, even after sophomore end Matt Conrath injured his ankle against Maryland. His replacement, sophomore Zane Parr, has contributed immediately to the line's continued effectiveness.
"I think Zane Parr is doing a wonderful job over there, stepping in," Collins said. "I feel like the D-line is stepping up every week and just trying to help this team win and shut down the run like we're supposed to and make things easier for the guys in coverage every play."
The unit performed particularly well against Duke, totaling six sacks last Saturday. Of Virginia's 16 total sacks this season, the line has accounted for 12.5.
The line's ability to ramp up pressure on the quarterback will be a key component of Virginia's plan this weekend as well. Although the Hurricanes' offense does not rely nearly as exclusively on an air attack as Duke's, sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris has already thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
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