Few jobs are as prestigious as being a professional sports player. Fewer jobs require the same level of unceasing physical and mental exertion. Two former Virginia stars, basketball player Mike Scott and football player LaRoy Reynolds, are putting in the effort and living the life so many people wish they could have.
Heralded entering the season for its depth, the ACC has earned praise in the first two weeks instead for the sterling accomplishments of its consensus best three teams.
At my elementary school’s annual fifth grade luau, the DJ played “Rock and Roll” by Gary Glitter — known at the University as “Countdown to Cav Man,” played every time Virginia scores a touchdown. Unaware of the song’s ubiquity across middle school dances and high school athletics nationwide, as the guitar riffs swelled to the chorus I pumped my fists proudly above my head and shrieked, “U-V-A, GO HOOS GO!” Surprisingly, my classmates didn’t seem to be as well-acquainted with the cheer.
A crowd of 58,502 was on hand to witness the brutal 59-10 thrashing No. 2 Oregon doled out to Virginia Saturday afternoon, the largest crowd at Scott Stadium since a 38-0 blowout loss to Virginia Tech in the final game of the 2011 season. That fact was not lost on many of the Cavalier players.
Oregon’s speed and athleticism were on full display from kickoff Saturday, as the No. 2 Ducks’ (2-0) Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas repeatedly gashed the Virginia (1-1) defense in a 49-point drubbing at Scott Stadium.
“The Skinny” for football, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and volleyball games this weekend.
U.Va. Student Body: Thank you for your support last Saturday at Scott Stadium! Your energy and enthusiasm were crucial to the team’s success in our victory over BYU. After a great start to the season, we need to keep our momentum going this weekend.
In the nearly 20 years since Nike co-founder Phil Knight first approached the Oregon athletic department and endeavored to build a previously staid football program in his company’s own image and likeness, the Ducks have adopted a provocative, dynamic visual style which has triggered a revolution in how college football teams and what they wear function as branding vehicles.
Since coming to Charlottesville in 2010, coach Mike London has maintained a consistent attitude towards building a stronger program: you have to play the best to be the best.
The hype for the Virginia football team coming into this season largely surrounded the promising sophomore quarterback David Watford and the Cavaliers’ star recruit, freshman running back Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell. All that talk, much like the game, was stormed on Saturday against BYU.
It’s been a difficult preseason in terms of wading through what proportion of the hype surrounding Virginia football this year might be true and what share was just that — hype. Although one game isn’t a large enough sample to make any definite conclusions, the blurry image of the 2013 Cavaliers became marginally clearer after their gutsy 19-16 win against Brigham Young.
Five hours in, the headlines had been written. Three quarters of progress on defense and special teams were undercut late in an infuriating Virginia loss that brought back unfavorable memories of 2012.
When Virginia opens the season Saturday against Brigham Young, fans may recognize many familiar faces with the offense returning seven starters.
Last year featured a tale of two defenses for Virginia. There was the defense that was fourth in the ACC and No.
Here’s a look at Virginia’s 2013 adversaries by the numbers: 3: Brigham Young finished third in total defense in 2012 to advance to a bowl game for a fourth consecutive season.
Coaches across the country have expressed concern about the proliferation of fast-paced spread offenses. But will the faster pace really change everything about the game.
After playing in 10 games as a true freshman in 2011, David Watford was relegated to the sidelines in 2012, forced to listen through a headset as his team stumbled to a disappointing 4-8 finish.
After turning a Virginia football team that suffered three consecutive losing seasons into a bowl-eligible 8-5 team in just his second year on Grounds, coach Mike London seemed primed to push his success even further in 2012.
Coach Mike London revealed Monday at the ACC Kickoff in Greensboro, N.C. that Watford will be the team’s top quarterback entering camp. Redshirt freshman Greyson Lambert will compete for the starting job as well and a starter will be named in early August.
Football associate Mike Eilbacher and Sports Editor Daniel Weltz provide blog updates from the two-day ACC Kickoff in Greensboro, N.C.
