Cavalier Call-In Highlights, 11/24/03

As the team and the fans prepare for the final regular season game of the 2003 campaign, Coach Al Groh and Mac
McDonald, The Voice of the Cavaliers, hosted the final football edition of Cavalier Call-in for this year. Mac did say
that he had received some inquiries about the possibility of having Coach Groh on again prior to a bowl game if they
receive a bid, and Groh was agreeable to it if they can work out the schedule.

Mac asked about the flag that the team was carrying around on the sidelines on Saturday, and Groh said that the idea
of leadership and taking ownership of the team was something that had been evolving since shortly after the Maryland
game, and the flag was a tangible representation of this. He said that the first time he mentioned the flag to the team
was at the team meeting on Thursday, and Coach Groh himself proceeded to carry it around all day Friday and put it in a
prominent place in the locker room before the game. During his pre-game talk, he told the team that they needed someone
to "carry the flag," at which time D’Brickashaw Ferguson jumped up and demanded that he be the one who
carries it.

Groh noted that this was a significant moment for D’Brickashaw and a real sign of emotion on his part. Groh noted
that this team has a real interesting dynamic of leadership, since many of the more prominent players are underclassmen
that usually don’t step into those roles for fear of stepping someone’s toes.

Congratulations to Heath Miller for being named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play against Georgia Tech,
when he set a new ACC Record for receptions in a season by a tight end. Mac also reported that Heath was selected to the
All-ACC first team and he was the only Cavalier to make the first team.

Congratulations are also in order for Connor Hughes, who was named Specialist of the Week, as he tied a school record
by kicking five field goals against the Yellow Jackets. Connor’s 50 yard kick on Saturday was his third of 50+ yards
this season, and he is the only kicker in school history to record more than one from that distance. Connor was named to
the All-ACC second team and was barely beat out by Nick Novak by a mere two points. Mac did point out that the ballots
had to be into the ACC office by Sunday, and many probably sent theirs in on Friday, before Connor’s fantastic game.
Groh noted that Connor leads the nation in FG% at 95%.

Joining Heath and Connor as All-ACC selections are second teamers Matt Schaub (QB), Wali Lundy (RB), Elton Brown (OG),
and Chris Canty (DL). Darryl Blackstock (LB) and Jamaine Winborne (DB) were also recognized as Honorable Mention.

JP from Fairfax said that it seemed like we had a lot of second and third and short opportunities on Saturday and
didn’t convert many of them. He wondered what Groh planned to do to improve on this. Groh said that they were actually
pretty good against Georgia Tech, converting 48% of their third down opportunities. He admitted that they had some
difficulties at the beginning of the season but had been doing well recently.

Jermaine in Grafton commented that it seemed like the team made more plays this week than in weeks past, and he
singled out the interception by Muffin Curry. Groh said that interception was the result of pressure on the quarterback
and that it was their plan to put a lot of pressure on the GT quarterback, since he is a true freshman.

John in Roanoke announced that they would be setting up Wilk Hall on Friday afternoon this week. He then wanted
to thank Coach Groh, the coaching staff, players, and particularly the seniors who will be playing their last game in
the "cozy confines" of Scott Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, Groh thanked John and other fans like
him for their energy and passion this year.

Darren from Winchester, the King of Wilk Hall as Mac calls him, said that he is in rare form already and is
considering painting his face for work tomorrow. Darren wanted to know if Groh was doing anything special to emphasize
the rivalry with Virginia Tech. He noted that in years past it was viewed as just another game, but that it has the
potential to become a great national rivalry and it is certainly not just another game to the fans. Groh said,
"This is a long-standing series, Mac, and anybody who denies that it is a game of great interest to players, fans,
coaches and whatnot is denying reality." In regards to future schedules Groh said it doesn’t matter when this
game is played, it will always be a big game.

Glenn in Danville wanted to address a couple of issues that would make it easier on the fans. The first point was
about the RV lot only being open on the day of the game, and Groh said that is something that he is going to work on in
the off-season. Glenn’s second concern was the fact that following the GT game he and his friends were sitting in the
stadium watching the post game press conference on Hoo Vision, and they were asked to leave. Mac sounded surprised at
this and said that he would look into it, since that is why they broadcast it on Hoo Vision in the first place.

For the BB&T Student Athlete of the Week, Groh said it is hard to overlook a player who just set an ACC record
for receptions, and likewise it is hard to overlook a player who kicked 5 field goals in tying a school record. This
week’s honorees are Heath Miller and Connor Hughes. Mac noted that Connor is only 3 points behind Rafael Garcia for the
single season scoring mark he set in 1996.

Maggie in Roanoke said that Roanoke was like a tomb today as the Hokie fans are upset about their loss and
Virginia’s win on Saturday, plus the fact that UVA is an early 1-point favorite for the game this week. She wanted to
thank Coach Groh for everything he has done and especially for standing by Tom Hagan when times were tough. She said
being from Roanoke she is very proud of both Tom and Jermaine Hardy, as they have both fought through difficult times
this year. Groh said both are excellent young men and "Somebody’s got to stick up for them, and if I don’t, who’s
going to?" He added that sometimes you have to show confidence in someone when things aren’t going well.

Regarding the post-season scenarios, Mac said that Maryland accepted an invitation to the Gator Bowl Monday afternoon
and that the Peach Bowl committee was meeting Monday night. He said there is a possibility that we could find out
something Tuesday (Editor’s Note: the Peach Bowl selected Clemson, and the Tangerine Bowl selected N.C. State.).

Ginger in Roanoke asked Groh again about the possibility of the team wearing orange for the game this week, but
Groh said it is a little too late to order orange jerseys. Mac said that Coach Groh is 5-0 at home in November in blue
jerseys, so there is little chance he is going to change.

Mac asked Groh about how much this week’s game against Virginia Tech affects recruiting. Groh said that it does
matter, but not that much, since every team Virginia plays, they also recruit against. He said that the single most
important factor in recruiting is the comfort level that the recruit has with the coaches and current players.

The Red Zone call of the Week for this week is the QB keeper by Marques Hagans. Groh said that Hagans’ versatility
is his best asset.

Pam from Chesapeake wanted to let Groh know that her son is playing for a small college but has plans to transfer
to UVA and tryout for the football team. She said that it is his dream to play for the Cavaliers, and Groh said that
dreams do come true sometimes.

Freddie in Lynchburg said the thing that scares him the most about Virginia Tech is Kevin Jones, and he wanted to
know what Groh planned to do to contain him. Groh called Jones an "extra special player" and said that he
should have a long career running the ball in the NFL. He also said that they would have to be at their very best in
terms of schemes and individual execution to slow Jones down.

In the Look Ahead to Next Week, Mac asked about the quarterback situation at VT and Groh said that they have two very
good players competing for the job. At most positions it’s called competition, but at quarterback they like to call it
controversy. He also noted that DeAngelo Hall is a true cover corner who is very versatile like Marquis Hagans for the
Cavaliers.

In closing, Groh took the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and reported that the team will practice
tomorrow and then those players who live close by are released to go home for Thanksgiving and many are taking other
players with them. Groh said the players staying on campus will all get together for Thanksgiving and it will be a big
family.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

— Joel Barfield

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Cavalier Call-In can be heard on the Virginia Sports Network every Monday at 7:06PM EST throughout the season. Please turn to www.virginiasports.com for affiliate stations or listen via their live online broadcast. Click here to listen to their archived broadcasts or view the schedule for future shows.