What do you do when your breakout season is interrupted by a knee injury on the first drive of the opening game? If you're Monsanto Pope, you make yourself stronger and faster than you've ever been. The junior defensive tackle blew out his knee on the sixth play of the season opener against North Carolina last year.
Looking back on a season in which Virginia plummeted to the bottom of the conference in pass defense, two culprits emerge: injury and inexperience. One year later, the Cavaliers have healthy legs in the secondary, but the inexperience factor still remains. Having lost starting cornerbacks Dwayne Stukes and Antwan Harris to graduation and strong safety Chris Williams to academic ineligibility, Virginia enters the season with only one returning starter in sophomore free safety Jerton Evans. And with all the concerns and question marks looming over the secondary during the preseason, Cavalier coach George Welsh is as unsure of what to expect as the next person. "We're going in there four deep without much experience," Welsh said.
In Greek mythology, the Hydra was a serpent-like creature that grew multiple heads if one was severed. This myth might strike a chord with opposing defenses when trying to stop the Virginia running attack of Arlen Harris, Tyree Foreman and Antwoine Womack. Much has been made of this year's backfield and not just because of the loss of Thomas Jones.
Experience, confidence and execution. A quarterback needs these three things to excel. And a team needs these from him to win.
The Cavaliers enter the 2000 season with the loss of three All-Americans, the return of several new faces and a renovated Scott Stadium.
When Virginia coach George Welsh vowed to "reinvent the corporation," his moves included shuffling his assistant coaches and moving a wideout to starting cornerback. But if one thing still looks the same, it's a front seven comprised of talented and experienced linebackers and capable defensive tackles who plan on reestablishing the Cavalier run defense among the nation's finest. Virginia returns two starting linebackers, senior captains Byron Thweatt and Yubrenal Isabelle, who will bring a wealth of experience to the defense.
A new school year seems like an appropriate time for new beginnings. A fresh start, a clean slate. But with a new head coach, the loss of three starters in key positions, including legend Angela Hucles, and the addition of six freshmen, the clean slate of the Virginia women's soccer team just may be the cleanest of all. New coach Steve Swanson replaced April Heinrichs in February, who left Virginia for the U.S.
With youthful endurance as its sixth man, Team George rolled over Jim and the Scrubs with an 82-57 victory Tuesday night to capture the 2000 Summer Intramural Basketball Championship.
While surfing through television channels the other day, I found myself watching a clip of Tiger Woods on the evening news.
In hopes of finding programs that would give them a better chance at attracting pro offers, two of Virginia baseball's top young players are leaving for other schools. Rising junior Mike Floyd, the Cavs' starting center fielder for the past two seasons, will play for South Carolina in 2001.
Any college football analyst could deliver a slew of reasons why the Virginia football team could struggle this season. It's easy. Most arguments begin with the departure of tailback Thomas Jones, the school's all-time leading rusher and the undisputed backbone of last year's squad.
These three make quite a group. They are all big and brash, as confident in each other as they are in themselves.
Nearly a year after they were arrested at a Charlottesville apartment party, Virginia football player Demetrius Dotson and former player Duane Fisher were found guilty of marijuana possession in Albemarle General District Court last week. Court Clerk Windy Payne said the two are appealing the conviction, and the case will be heard again in August. Judge Stephen Helzin sentenced Dotson, a rising fifth-year wide receiver, and Fisher, a former defensive back, to suspended 30-day jail sentences and $50 fines, but the punishments will not be levied until the appeal is heard. The players' attorney, Lawrence Woodward, could not be reached for comment. After playing primarily on special teams last season, Fisher was not asked to return to the team for 2000, said Michael Colley, assistant athletic media relations director.
According to the media, it's a no-brainer: Florida State will be the ACC powerhouse in the upcoming football season. Media attending the ACC's annual Football Kickoff picked FSU to win the conference championship.
These three make quite a group. They are all big and brash, as confident in each other as they are in themselves.
Any college football analyst could deliver a slew of reasons why the Virginia football team could struggle this season. It's easy. Most arguments begin with the departure of tailback Thomas Jones, the school's all-time leading rusher and the undisputed backbone of last year's squad.
To: Thomas Jones Subject: Contract Negotiations CC: Tom Condon Dear TJ, I've been trying to keep tabs on you here from Charlottesville, but I've been pretty busy looking for a summer job.
A new school year seems like an appropriate time for new beginnings. A fresh start, a clean slate. But with a new head coach, the loss of three starters in key positions, including legend Angela Hucles, and the addition of six freshmen, the clean slate of the Virginia women's soccer team just may be the cleanest of all. New coach Steve Swanson replaced April Heinrichs in February, who left Virginia for the U.S.
Take a moment to look at your watch. At this very second, thousands of young athletes are dreaming of that one moment - their country's flag hanging high in the air, their national anthem resonating off the walls and a radiant gold medal dangling from their necks.
Foul, blue 24 with the body," I shout to the mirror, with appropriate gestures towards the fake scorer's table in my bathroom.
