With last week's demoralizing 55-48 loss against Duke fresh in their minds, the players on the Virginia football team look to redeem themselves this Saturday against conference rival Maryland in the team's final home matchup of the season.
According to several Cavaliers (4-5, 1-4 ACC), there is little love lost between the border state rivals. Taking down the visiting Maryland squad (6-3, 3-2 ACC) would help ease the pain of giving up a go-ahead touchdown with 40 seconds remaining against Duke during their last outing.
"Every year since I've been here Maryland has always been a big week for us," junior center Anthony Mihota said. "It's something that gets under our skin about them. We just don't like them very much."
Virginia has held the advantage in the rivalry between the two teams as of late, winning the past three matchups, including a 31-0 rout in 2008 - Maryland's last visit to Scott Stadium. This season's Terrapins, however, seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulder after being picked to finish near the bottom of the ACC after a 2-10 showing last season. With three games remaining in the 2010 campaign, Maryland is already bowl-eligible.
"They're playing inspired football," Virginia coach Mike London said. "They have a system and a plan of attack both on offense and defense now and have a consistency with their coordinators, with their coaches. They've done a good job of buying into and being around the same guys for a while, and they're really playing well."
Some of Maryland's strongest play this season has come from its special teams unit, which ranks first in the ACC and third in the nation in yards per punt return with 20.1 yards per return. Junior wide receiver Tony Logan, who handles punt return duties for the Terrapins, has already returned two punts for touchdowns on the season.
Maryland junior wide receiver Torrey Smith, meanwhile, returns kickoffs and currently holds the ACC record for most career kickoff return yards. Smith also provides a speedy option downfield for redshirt freshman Danny O'Brien, who became the team's starting signal-caller midway through the season.
"We're going to try to kick it on I?64 somewhere so he doesn't get a chance to return," London said of Smith. "He is the most dynamic [returner] that we've seen on film and played against. He's so athletic in the way he moves, jump cuts, pirouettes and runs, does all those things that cause nightmares for special teams coordinators."
Virginia defensive coordinator Jim Reid also should have his hands full Saturday against a Maryland offense that has only turned the ball over a conference-low eight times and ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring offense. Maryland's offense at times features a spread wildcat formation similar to the one that Duke used to burn burned Virginia on several occasions. Against the Blue Devils, Virginia's defense allowed 489 total yards and 55 points.
The Cavaliers' defense also surrendered yardage because of multiple late-hit infractions and a pass interference call. As a team, Virginia committed 11 penalties for 103 yards. Consequently, Mihota said the team has stressed playing mistake-free football in the practices leading up this Saturday's matchup.
"There's some things like the illegal motions and everything that's all mental," Mihota said. "Sometimes it's just a matter of being too aggressive. We've just got to play smart."
The Cavaliers may have added incentive to play smart as Saturday marks the final home game for many of the fourth- and fifth-year players. Quarterback Marc Verica, cornerback Ras-I Dowling, tailback Keith Payne and wide receiver Dontrelle Inman are among the 32 players on the team who will step out onto the field at Scott Stadium for the final time Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to giving my all just to make it a memorable moment," Inman said.
Kick-off is slated for 3:30 p.m.
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