Coach. Mentor. Father-figure. These are just a few of the words some of the Virginia football players used to describe coach Mike London following the announcement of his resignation Sunday.
It was a somber scene Sunday morning when Mike London addressed the Cavalier football team for the final time as head coach. Both he and his players reportedly were brought to tears. That’s not typically how football firings go.
Head football coach Mike London will resign effective immediately, Virginia director of athletics Craig Littlepage announced Sunday.
Virginia Tech rode a 17-7 fourth quarter surge to claim the 12th consecutive win in the state of Virginia’s marquee football rivalry. With the win, the Hokies (6-6, 4-4 ACC) send head coach Frank Beamer to one final bowl game. The Cavaliers (4-8, 3-5 ACC) end their fourth consecutive season with nothing to show.
Let’s face it, a Virginia win Saturday wouldn’t have been right. Not for Virginia, whose fans would have stormed the field only to call for coach Mike London’s head moments later. And not for that divine coach from Blacksburg — how dare Virginia deny him a win in his final regular season game?
The Virginia football team matches up with archrival Virginia Tech this Saturday at Scott Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m.
Cavalier Daily football writer Robert Elder recently had the chance to talk with Kendall, author of the UVa sports blog "Wahooze", regarding the potential upcoming football coaching search.
On Military Appreciation Day at Scott Stadium, Virginia opened with shock and awe. The Cavaliers unleashed a salvo of 21 points and scored on all three of their drives.
With their recent mathematical elimination from bowl-eligibility, the Cavaliers have adjusted their goals for this season.
Here's a look at six of the top players suiting up for the game, followed by beat writer Matt Wurzburger's three keys to a Virginia victory.
Virginia traveled to Louisville with their backs against the wall — needing a perfect 3-0 finish to gain bowl eligibility. The Cavaliers (3-7, 2-4 ACC) put up a noble fight against the Cardinals (6-4, 5-2 ACC), but in the end Virginia’s demons came back to haunt them in a 38-31 defeat.
Virginia (3-7, 2-4 ACC) fought the Cardinals (6-4, 5-3) down to the final whistle, but second half miscues cost the Cavaliers a chance at bowl eligibility.
If the Cavaliers want to be bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011, they must initially go through a tough Louisville squad on the road this Saturday. Virginia (3-6, 2-3 ACC) has to win its final three games for any hope of playing postseason football this winter.
Virginia football’s road losing streak extended to 14 games following a 27-21 defeat at the hands of Miami Saturday afternoon at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“They’re a team that has got a new sense of energy,” coach Mike London said.
Mike London, now in his sixth season, isn’t in all that different of a position than Beamer found himself in back in 1992.
The ACC named sophomore free safety Quin Blanding its Defensive Back of the Week for games played through Oct. 31st.
Make no mistake, apathy is at an all-time high in the Mike London era. The 32,308 in attendance on Halloween drew jokes of fans dressing up as bleachers in the 61,500-seat stadium. Ironically enough, against a triple-option offense that averaged 284 rushing yards per contest, Virginia beat the Yellow Jackets at their own game.
Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech was fittingly bizarre for a Halloween game. As if in costume, Virginia did their best impression of the Yellow Jackets (3-6, 1-5 ACC) winning the game behind a prolific rushing attack, possession totals that can only be described as selfish, and a late defensive stand.
The Cavaliers have a week to regroup as they face a Georgia Tech (3-5, 1-4 ACC) team that is flying high.
