With the arrival of a new coach, the 2010 football season has been a rebuilding year almost by definition. Although Mike London maintains a vision for the future, this Saturday the Cavaliers will reminisce about the past as the team's senior members will run out in front of a home crowd for the final time against Maryland.
"The emotions have already started," senior wide receiver Dontrelle Inman said. "It's going to be hard just walking into the stadium knowing that it's going to be the last time walking on to this field, playing a game with my teammates, with my brothers."
Among the 32 fourth- and fifth-year seniors are the well-known faces of quarterback Marc Verica and cornerback Ras-I Dowling, who play crucial - and heavily scrutinized - positions. Saturday's celebration, however, also will try to emphasize the less publicized contributions of other Cavaliers who, at times, have slipped under the radar. Danny Aiken is one such example of an athlete who has quietly contributed to the Cavaliers during the last four seasons. Aiken has started every game as Virginia's long snapper since he joined the program in 2007. Even though Aiken's duties on punts, extra point attempts and field goal tries often go unnoticed, London said the 6-foot-4, 255-pound senior's solid performances on special teams have caught the attention of several NFL scouts.
"I think that Danny's done a really nice job of just short snapping, long snapping, getting out and covering," London said. "He's done a nice job in his career [and] he has a chance making a living doing that again. Danny has a great future in front of him."
Unlike Aiken, who has seen a great deal of action throughout his collegiate career, other Cavaliers only have managed to break onto the scene during their final year with the program. Tailback Raynard Horne, for example, has spent the majority of his career as a Cavalier on the special teams coverage unit. Last spring and throughout summer training camp, however, Horne stood out to the new coaching staff as a speedy kickoff returner and additional option in the backfield.
Horne currently ranks third in the ACC in kickoff returns and 36th nationally in yards per return. Horne's 493 return yards include an 87-yard touchdown during Virginia's victory against VMI Sept. 25 - the first kickoff return for a touchdown for the Cavaliers since 2004. Following his performance against the Keydets, Horne was named College Football Special Teams Performer of the Week.
"It feels good to finally get out there after the long haul," Horne said. "It feels good to contribute to the team. It will definitely make me feel good after leaving."
The success of Horne and running back Keith Payne - who also has made significant strides this season - can largely be attributed to the impressive play of the relatively young offensive line. But with a front five mostly comprised of sophomores and juniors, senior offensive guard B.J. Cabbell has proven to be an instrumental leader and instructor for the growing corps.
Cabbell has started 31 games for the Cavaliers during the last three seasons. In his final year, London said Cabbell has played an integral part in shaping the play of freshman offensive tackle Morgan Moses, who is regarded as a key part of Virginia's future.
"I can't say enough positive things about B.J. Cabbell and what he means for this team," London said. "He's a warrior. He'll play hurt, play nicked up, whatever it takes. He's been a kind of a coach on the field also."
London hopes during the next three games, his team will acknowledge the contributions of these individuals by playing an inspired brand of football.
"There's a lot of guys that are in that situation where this could be it for them," London said. "You always want to make your college football playing days experience positive. Hopefully with three games left, we can make it positive for these guys"
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