It wasn't unwatchable this week (well, unless you don't get College Sports TV, one of the only networks to be offered in less households than ESPN U Don't Get It). For those of you who could watch, you were treated to non-stop cliches from Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's younger brother Akbar, who was "analyzing" the game for CSTV. O where, o where have you gone, Mac McDonald.
Some thoughts on the game:
- Al Groh attempted to take control of his own fate this week, ditching parts of the spread while reinstalling more traditional pro sets. The result was 268 first half yards, an offense that outgained USM for the game, and 25 first downs, six more than the Hoos had in their first two games combined.
- But Virginia did appear to return to more spread-like playcalling in the 2nd half, particularly in the way they ran the football, to their detriment. Notably, Cavalier RBs had 13 carries to Sewell's nine in the first half. Relying more on RB runs also set up play action, including a 69-yard TD bomb to Tim Smith in the first half. But after a handful of Sewell draws led to a late touchdown in the first half, the Hoos seemed to fall in love with the QB run, to the tune of 14 second half carries for Sewell against only seven RB carries. It was effective at times (Sewell did finish with 79 rushing yards), but the proof is in the pudding - 27 first-half points to 7 in the second.
- Hootie aptly noted last week that the Hoos' offensive problems start in the trenches. The o-line was better against USM, which Hootie attributed to ditching the wider splits usually associated with the spread.
- The D-line was not. When Damion Fletcher decided to serve notice that he was the best player on the field, the Cavs' D did little to stop him. The senior back, who will play on Sundays, finished with 26 carries for 132 yards, but it was his counterpart in the wildcat formation, Tory Harrison, who broke the Cavs' back with a 57-yard touchdown run that proved to be the decisive score.
- The Hoos were helped by some sloppy play by the Golden Eagles early in the game. A pair of fumbles in their own end, which were more given away than forced, led to a pair of UVA FGs. Unfortunately, the final result would probably have been different if Virginia finished those drives off turnovers with TDs instead of stalling inside the USM 20 and settling for FGs.
- Welcome back to relevance Jared Green. Darrell's son had 5 catches for 30 yards. Four of those catches resulted in first downs.
- Chris Cook missed the contest with a groin injury. And in what is becoming a familar refrain, Mikell Simpson also missed the game with an injury, this time with a bruised shin.
- Finally, the last two times Virginia had gone 0-2 to start a season, the Cavs won their third game en route to a bowl game berth. In Groh's second season in 2002, the Cavs lost their first two to Colorado State and Florida State, but rebounded to finish 9-5. The last time before that Virginia lost its first two was 1987, when George Welsh led the Hoos to an 8-4 mark after dropping a pair to Georgia and Maryland. Now that the Cavs have broken that trend, its probably time to settle in for a long season ... and ask when basketball season starts.
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It’s only the third game of the season, and for some reason, it feels like we have been stuck in the twilight zone for ages. William and Mary’s game clinching pick six made Sportscenter’s top plays and last Saturday's infamous Cavalier tossing has garnered more attention than the Hoos’ actual on-field play. Furthermore, mention Virginia football and the conversation almost always ends with, “don’t fear, at least U2 is coming to Scott Stadium.”
So, while Cavalier fans should essentially continue to expect the unexpected, it also makes sense to take a look at the few things we do know. In a pair of firsts, Virginia’s first road game of the season and their first-ever trip to Hattiesburg, Virginia faces Southern Miss. on Saturday. Looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since the beginning of the Welsh era, UVa treks to the friendly confines of “The Rock” to square off with the undefeated Golden Eagles. Sadly, the Cavs would likely describe anywhere other than Scott Stadium as “friendly confines.”
After going 7-6 in 2008, their first season under head coach Larry Fedora, USM entered the 2009 campaign expecting to contend for its first Conference USA title since 2003. The Golden Eagles closed out last season with five straight wins, and so far this year, they have picked up right where they left off. After thrashing in-state foe Alcorn State 52-0 to open the season, USM picked up their first conference win last Saturday by defeating UCF 26-19. The Golden Eagles are off to their first 2-0 start since ’04 and they are currently riding a seven game winning streak (spanning back to last season). So far, the young ‘09 season has been highlighted by statistically impressive play on both sides of the ball.
Sure, USM padded their stats a bit against Alcorn State (630 total yards), but still, the Golden Eagles are averaging 507.5 yards of total offense per game, which is good for 13th in the nation. Sophomore QB Austin Davis has already thrown for 470 yards on the season with 4 TD’s, no picks, and a QB rating of 169.1. Unlike Virginia’s signal callers, accuracy proves a strength for Davis who boasts a stout 75% completion rate on the year.
Senior tailback Damion Fletcher is looking to become only the ninth player in NCAA history to run for over 1,000 yards in four consecutives seasons amidst difficult circumstances. Fletcher is already well on his way, amassing 229 through the first two games while averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
After missing the Alcorn State game, prime target DeAndre Brown posted a solid effort against UCF finishing the day with 7 catches for 75 yards. A freshman All-America in 2008, The Post notes Brown is regarded as one of the top receivers in the country and looks to be back in form after breaking his leg in last year’s New Orleans Bowl. Entering the season, Cavalier fans might have figured its secondary, the so-called bright spot of the defense, and lock-down corner Ras-I Dowling would be up to challenge in defending Brown. However, after two anemic performances from that group, you can expect USM to go to Brown early and often.
Speaking of defense, USM has a solid unit anchored by eight returning starters from a year ago. In 2009, the Golden Eagles have held opponents to 182.5 yard of total offense per game (the shutout against Alcorn State certainly helped the cause) which ranks 9th in the NCAA. Last week against UCF, the defense allowed only 15 rushing yards on 27 attempts and gave up a mere 179 yards through the air. At least on paper, USM’s defensive numbers don’t bode well for a Virginia squad that once again ranks near the bottom of the NCAA in total offense.
For the second straight week, the Hoos find themselves in ESPN's infamous Bottom 10. With an inept offense and shaky defense things likely won’t change unless the Cavs can unexpectedly put together a complete game on both sides of the ball. Then again, so far this season the unexpected is really about the only thing Virginia fans can count on.
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