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Peter Lalich has seen action in both games so far this season. |
In the first two games of the season, Virginia has played two quarterbacks. Inevitably that leads to the “Who is going to start?” questions from the media and from fans. Al Groh isn’t biting on the questions and simply says that both players will play moving forward with situations determining when Jameel Sewell and Peter Lalich get snaps.
Sewell has started in both games with Lalich checking in as a reserve.
“Because it’s a rotational situation, it’s not about who starts, who finishes, and who is called what,” Groh said. “Whatever our gameplan calls for and how we decide to start the game and what particular set of packages we choose to feature [will determine who is playing]. That’s the honest answer for week three, four, five, six , seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, and 13.”
On the season, Sewell has completed 20 of 37 passes for 147 yards. He has one touchdown and two interceptions. The left-hander’s longest pass completion covered 17 yards. Sewell has also gained 45 yards rushing, a number that drops to 17 net yards with sacks. The knock on the sophomore has been his accuracy, particular on deep balls but Groh said that the coaches “don’t have any undue concerns about that” because Sewell has shown the ability to hit those passes; he did say that a higher percentage of accurate throws is something that is wanted.
Lalich, meanwhile, has completed 16 of 23 passes for 147 yards. He has one touchdown and no interceptions. The right-hander’s longest pass completion went for 19 yards. He doesn’t give the team as many options on designed running plays, option reads, or classic option plays but he does have a quick release and Groh said he has been “exposed to adjusting to make the throw that has to be made” in various situations. Groh said “he’s got a good versatility with his delivery.”
With North Carolina up next on the schedule, Groh has indicated that both players will get chances to contribute in order to best use all the weapons available to the team. So what happens if someone gets hot in the game?
“If somebody has gone out there and he’s 14 for 14, we’re not going to do what the other team couldn’t do, which is to stop him,” Groh said.
Of course, if one of the quarterbacks is struggling or the team needs a spark or a different rhythm at any time, the coaches can opt for the alternate choice. While many do not view that situation as an ideal scenario or traditional approach, it at least gives options to an offense that has struggled at times since last season. Plus, as Groh points, it could cause problems in preparation and execution for the opposing defense.
“A prime thing that we start with each week, on both sides of the ball, is we ask the question ‘How many things does this team make us think about?’ Clearly, the more things you can make the opponent think about, issues to deal with, and decisions to make the more burdensome it becomes for the opponent,” Groh said. “Certainly because one is right-handed, one is left-handed, one has two touchdown runs of more than 40 yards, one is beginning to show some skill in the pocket, it probably adds to the number of issues that have to be dealt with.”
Tight Ends Re-Emerge
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Tom Santi caught 2 TD passes. |
In the game against Duke last weekend, Tom Santi and Jonathan Stupar starred in receiving and blocking roles during the 24-13 win.
Santi’s final line featured six catches for 54 yards and 2 TDs. Stupar posted four receptions for 40 yards. Santi was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance, which marked the first time a UVa tight end caught 2 TDs since Heath Miller did so against Akron in 2004.
“Certainly [it is a productive day] when you have six catches and two are for scores. They weren’t long scores but he had to add something – it wasn’t just catch and fall into the end zone,” Groh said. “On both, he had to adjust to the ball a little bit; he had to fight his way in on one [and] just the way he had to fight to get in there was indicative of the mentality of a lot of guys who were going to do whatever it took.”
Stupar also had a very good day, which may have been a bit overshadowed by his position partner. Stupar recovered Peerman’s fumble in the first quarter and that allowed the 58-yard touchdown to happen. He also had a critical diving catch in the third quarter that extended the Cavs’ game-sealing touchdown drive. Groh was complimentary of both plays.
“[The fumble recovery] was a really big hustle play on Jon’s part. If he hadn’t just been following the ballcarrier with a lot of hustle, he wouldn’t have been on the scene to get the ball and we wouldn’t have had it for the next play,” Groh said. “It was a significant play on his part, one of those we put in the playmaker category that just comes from hard work and being on the scene.”
“He made an excellent catch on the seam route there in the latter part of the third quarter. … The ball was a little bit long, but we’ve seen Jon make that exact same type of stretch out and catch many times in practice,” Groh said. “I remember when it happened, I thought ‘Hey, I’ve seen this one before. Typical Jon on this catch.’ That one was very helpful for us there.”
Offensive Line Strong In Pass Protection
Through two games, the UVa offensive line has done a good job in pass protection. Granted the sample size was small in Wyoming, but with 61 pass attempts this season, Virginia has allowed just 3 sacks. All of those came against the Cowboys as the O-Line allowed no hits on the quarterback against Duke. Al Groh said that offensive line coach Dave Borbely was very impressed with that fact.
“He mentioned that he can’t recall another circumstance during his coaching time in which the quarterback on the team that he was coaching for wasn’t hit during the game,” Groh said. “Actually our quarterback was hit a small amount of time in the first game, wasn’t hit at all last week. Here in the early going, the pass protection has been pretty decent.”
Groh said that the five starters – Jordy Lipsey , Ian-Yates Cunningham , Eugene Monroe , Branden Albert , and Will Barker – have taken the majority of the snaps thus far this season. Zak Stair has seen some time and Gordie Sammis returns this week as a back-up option following a two-game suspension from the NCAA in regards to his redshirt year. Groh also said that Cedric Peerman “has done a very good job with” the blocking part of his job.
Injury Update
Jermaine Dias will practice this week, but it is unclear how efficient or active he will be with his ankle injury. How that goes will determine his availability.
Tight end John Phillips practiced Monday and will play against UNC after missing the majority of the Duke game.
