I wrote the first draft of this column Saturday night, with the sight of the Florida State Seminoles intercepting multiple Virginia passes still fresh in my mind. I wrote for hours nonstop, until I realized that I needed to cool down before I could make my argument. I couldn't publish these words without being absolutely sure they were the ones I really wanted in the newspaper. But after much deliberation, I'm now sure they are the words that need to be written: It's time to replace Marc Verica as the starting quarterback of the Virginia Cavaliers.
I was there for the start of the Verica era - sitting in the first row Oct. 4, 2008 when he made his first home start against Maryland. The student section was strangely subdued that day, as the team was coming off two straight dismal losses - there was at least a 30-point margin for both games - following the dismissal of then-starting quarterback Peter Lalich from the team for violating his probation. Verica had given us little reason to believe in the would-be hero from Lansdowne, Pa.. During his two games as starter so far, Verica had managed to lead the Cavaliers to a pedestrian 13 total points. But the fall winds brought change: Verica started to look like Shawn Moore, and the Cavaliers began to win.
Virginia won the Maryland game and the one after it, outscoring its opponents by a total point differential of 66-20. The following week, Verica led one of the greatest drives I've seen during my time at the University in the closing moments of regulation to help the Cavaliers upset then-18th ranked North Carolina. The good times kept rolling the following week as Verica marched Virginia into enemy territory and came home with a victory against another ranked team, Georgia Tech. I was sure we had found our Tom Brady - the unknown backup who was destined to lead us to the Promised Land. But fate can be cruel, and my Verica-led hopes crashed back to earth.
The dream fell apart for the rest of the season as Virginia failed to win another game. Verica finished the season with twice as many interceptions as touchdowns (16:8), and 5.75 yards per attempt. The following season Verica lost his starting job to Jameel Sewell and appeared during only six games, managing no touchdowns, one interception and a completion percentage standing at a mere 44.4. This season, Verica's stats as a whole seem respectable, but if you take away the two games against FCS opponents, his numbers drop significantly. During the games against Southern California and Florida State, Verica has completed only 47 percent of his passes and has a 2:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. If the 2010 Cavaliers have any thoughts of reaching a bowl game this year, Marc Verica cannot remain the starting quarterback.
Look, I really didn't want to have to write that last sentence. I want to support Verica. He's an artist, a good student and has provided us all with some memorable moments, such as that very drive against the Tar Heels in 2008. Rushing the field following the victory is a memory that I will never forget, and I owe that to Marc. But sentiments aside, I think we all need to realize Verica is not the answer. His struggles against Florida State - two interceptions, countless missed receivers and poor reads on Seminole blitzes - and his past performances give me no reason for optimism as Virginia moves into the heart of its conference schedule. It's time to let redshirt freshman Ross Metheny play and see what the kid can do.
During limited playing time at the end of Saturday's game, Metheny looked very impressive for a freshman playing against a team that started the season ranked in the top 25. Metheny completed seven of nine passes, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colter Phillips. He showed poise and leadership that defied his youth. I'm not saying Metheny will lead Virginia to a bowl game this year, but if you're coach London, don't you have to take your chances with the freshman rather than with Verica? During the next few weeks, opposing defensive coordinators would have much more difficulty preparing for the unknown quarterback than they would have emulating the Florida State attack that stymied Virginia last week. Judging by last Saturday's performance, the surprise factor might be the Cavaliers' best chance to sneak out enough wins to qualify for the postseason.
The raw talent to be a successful quarterback is unquestionably there. Metheny was a four-year starter in high school and threw for a school-record 69 touchdown passes while winning 38 games as a starter. The kid obviously knows how to win and make plays; it's finally time to see if he can put it all together under the bright lights of Scott Stadium. Most important, he would gain valuable experience and develop the chemistry with his playmakers Perry Jones, Kris Burd and Phillips that can only benefit the program in the upcoming seasons.
They say the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. I have no way of knowing what Ross Metheny can do, but I do know what Marc Verica can't do. So disagree with me if you will, but I, for one, am ready to jump into the rabbit hole and see where the unknown takes us.
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