A bowl game - it's in the forefront of collegiate players' minds all across the nation. And while many gridiron warriors mask their desires for a coveted postseason appearance with a one-game-at-a-time attitude, wide receiver Kris Burd and the rest of the seniors on the Virginia football team are not shying away from the fact that they are already freeing up their schedule during the months of December and January.
"Our first year, we went to the Gator Bowl, and I feel like you're not really experiencing college football without going to a bowl game," Burd said. "That's what we're setting ourselves up for: at least six wins this year."
With a relatively light non-conference slate and several of their ACC foes under strict NCAA scrutiny, the Virginia veterans believe they are poised to earn their first postseason berth since 2007. And coach Mike London is not discouraging such early optimism.
"If a guy is talking about less than winning, you are setting yourself up for failure," London said. "So [this] group of seniors wants to go out with a positive experience, and if that's winning then that's what it is."
Unfortunately for this season's seniors, wins have not come often during their tenure at Virginia. After primarily watching their teammates post a 9-3 record and claim a spot in the Gator Bowl during their freshmen campaign, the elder Cavaliers have seen three consecutive losing seasons come and go. Since 2007, the Cavaliers have managed to eke out only six conference wins and have steadily descended into the cellar of the ACC - a far cry from a bowl game appearance.
But despite dismal memories of seasons past, this year's group of senior leaders has their eyes set dead-ahead on their final opportunity to make a lasting mark on Virginia football history. Much like the squad which reached the Gator Bowl, the 2011 Cavaliers are a blend of seasoned veterans and spry youth eager to earn their first taste of college football action. Virginia also is buoyed by a coaching staff which should be more comfortable during its second year at the helm of the Cavaliers.
"I think we can be great, honestly," senior cornerback Chase Minnifield said. "We've got a lot of starters coming back, and with all the experience, I don't think there's [any] excuses. If it's not good, we have to look at ourselves."
In part, the seniors have already tried to ensure success by stepping aside to give the incoming freshmen class the opportunity to contribute immediately. The senior class believes their selflessness will benefit themselves as they eye a bowl berth, but they also acknowledge that this team-first attitude will likely be best for the program down the road as the young talents need early development.
"They want their last college season of playing experience to be a positive one, but they also understand that the best players have to play, that because you're a fifth-year senior doesn't mean that you're entitled to be the starter," London said. "It's no disrespect to them. It's just the reality of college football that you're supposed to play the best players, try to develop those players as you go along."
But no matter if they are competing between the lines or cheering their rookie teammates on from the sideline on Saturday afternoons, the senior Cavaliers will continue to be oriented toward a common goal - a return to the big stage of postseason play.
"That's our goal, make it to a bowl game and be in the ACC championship," Burd said. "I feel like the college football season is exciting and fun, but the postseason game is what you really play for"
Read More
Payton Cormier breaks Division I goals record
By Michael Liebermann | 2 hours agoCormier has forever cemented his legacy as one of the greatest lacrosse players in NCAA history.
Cavaliers advance to NCAA Championship with second place finish at Baton Rouge Regional
By Stephen O'Dea | 4 hours agoVirginia will head to the National Championship in Carlsbad, Calif., with a chance to make history.
Thank you, Reece Beekman
By Ben Istvan | 23 hours agoBeekman will leave Charlottesville as the program's all-time leader in steals.
