Olamide Zaccheaus visited the end zone for the second time this season on Saturday and cemented his celebration for scoring at the same time. It’s bringing back memories of Chris Long.
Against Connecticut, Zaccheaus sprinted past the cornerback on the visiting sidelines and then cruised under a teardrop throw from Kurt Benkert for a 30-yard touchdown. That connection boosted Virginia’s lead to 31-0 late in the third quarter and Zaccheaus quickly stopped in the left corner of the end zone and put two arms over his head with his finger tips touching.
The “O” reference is obviously for Olamide’s first name. And it’s a lot easier than a “Z” too. It first popped up after a 17-yard touchdown catch against William & Mary.
”It kind of just came to me. I don’t really know,” Zaccheaus said. ”I think Kirk Garner was like the first person. He just came to me and was like ‘O’ – I didn’t think anything of it, but then when I scored my first touchdown in the first game, I don’t know it just came to me.”
The alphabet celebration recalls the days of Long, who pestered many an opposing quarterback with his pass-rushing ability off the defensive line. Late in his career, he started celebrating sacks with an “L” celebration with one arm straight up and one arm perpendicularly joined at the elbow. That delighted fans and moms too and also inspired some t-shirts.
Long had plenty of chances to throw up that “L” in 2007. He finished with 14 sacks in the regular season to earn ACC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American honors.
