UVa just picked up its first road win since Sept. 30, 2006. It represented just the 11th road win in Al Groh’s tenure The field goal fiasco – where Chris Gould ‘s made kick had to be overturned via a Virginia challenge – has been featured in newspapers throughout ACC country. UNC coach Butch Davis is asking how the review procedure works.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, aren’t interested in any of that. They’re interested in moving on to this week and getting ready for Georgia Tech.
“It was a good kick. There is no issue. What was done wrong was corrected. The kick was good. We got the points that we needed. That’s all it is,” Groh said. “We’re moving on from that. It was a good win for our team. … At this point now, we’ve fully moved on from that and we’re focused entirely on Georgia Tech and what it’s going to take to deal with that particular situation. … If we don’t start the same week in the same mentality as we did last week, then we’re already behind from where we were last week. [Georgia Tech] has our full attention.”
So far, the Cavs have been improving each week – even if it is just a little at a time. In week one, the team produced minus-3 yards rushing. Last week, that number was up to 197. In week two, Virginia had multiple special teams issues. Last week, the Hoos had none. Defensively, the team has improved as well.
But with dropped interceptions, mediocre return yardage, and no downfield production in the passing game, there’s obviously still work to do. The players are well aware of that fact.
“We feel like we’ve improved a great deal but we can’t look back at these games and stay the same,” running back Cedric Peerman said. “We just have to keep on pushing forward and continuing to get better.”
Of course, the Cavs can’t regress on the things that have already improved. Groh said you have to remain consistent with any progress while also taking continual steps forward.
“We certainly have shown progress in some areas. Now, it’s going to be the consistency of that progress,” Groh said. “Special teams is a good example of that. … We had no issues with our special teams the first week. We had multiple issues with our special teams the second week. We had no issues with our special teams the third week. That unit there just points out the case with an entire team – it’s a new ball game every week.”
Throwing An ‘L’ Up
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Chris Long shows off his spelling talents. That’s an “L” you’re seeing. |
For those who have noticed Chris Long ‘s post-sack celebration this season, it is indeed an ‘L’ – fist to elbow at a right angle. Long said he didn’t remember exactly when it materialized, but that it was something he and his brothers brought up while joking at the dinner table. Long hopes St. Anne’s-Belfield fans may see the ‘L’ from “little Howie” soon too. Howie Long Jr. plays quarterback at STAB.
“I think I was sitting at the dinner table with my brothers one night and we were just joking around or whatever. Hopefully, little Howie will start throwing that one up,” Long said laughing. “I just told them I’d throw something up for them. It’s just something that whenever we play, we can just have that one little thing. It’s just a fun thing.”
Long said the maneuver is nothing too flashy and that he has done it in practice as well, even though his defensive teammates have been giving him a hard time.
“I don’t think it’s approaching a Chad Johnson-esque celebration or anything. It’s just a little ‘L’,” Long said. “It’s got a little spontaneity to it. I just throw it up. I don’t think about it after a couple of weeks doing it. … I have done it in practice. We were messing around. I think some of the d-backs, who have much better celebrations than anybody, they were getting on me about it and they were throwing it up to me.”
Chances are you may see that ‘L’ from Chris Long a lot more this season. After recording just seven career sacks coming into the season, Long has already racked up five in three games this year. Eugene Monroe , who spends a lot of practice time across from Long, said that’s because Long is hard to stop.
“It’s hard to block Chris Long – you can see it through his sacks and tackles. He’s being productive,” Monroe said. “Production doesn’t come from [no where], he’s a good player.”
Weekly Accolade
Speaking of Monroe, he was tabbed the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for the first time in his career. Virginia rushed for 197 yards at North Carolina, the most it has produced in a road game in two years. The Cavs recorded 22 first downs, which was also their most in nearly two years.
“The biggest thing for me was just hearing the congratulations from my teammates,” Monroe said. “I’m there with them every day and they see how hard I work and I see how hard they work and they motivate me. That was the biggest, I’d say, joy that I got out of it.”
Lipsey’s Day
With Peerman piling up yards at UNC, the offensive line obviously was having a good day. That includes Jordy Lipsey , who had several strong blocks and physically dominant moments against the Tar Heels.
“I was having fun. Usually when I have fun, I do pretty well. That’s what I’ve wanted to do this season is have a good time. This is my fifth year. Just enjoy it. Play fast. Have fun,” Lipsey said. “I think I had a few [pancakes]. I think had a few of them.”
Don’t Sleep At The Wheel
Virginia picked up a big road win at North Carolina last week to improve to 2-0 in the ACC. The Cavs now return home for a showdown with Georgia Tech before stepping out of conference with Pitt coming to Scott Stadium. While playing at home can be a comfort and boost the team, Peerman said the players can’t be complacent.
“There’s no place like playing at Scott Stadium, but at the same time we can’t fall into that comfort zone,” Peerman said. “Just because we’re at home doesn’t mean that the other team is going to play worse or whatnot or that we’re going to be dominant. We just have to be focused and in tune to the situations and not get lulled to sleep just because we’re playing at home.”
Injury Update
Receiver Cary Koch, who missed time with a knee injury, is available this week. He was cleared to play last week as well and traveled with the team.
“He picked it up quite a bit last week. He was running some individual routes on the side. … Catching a few balls at a relaxed pace,” Groh said.
Could Ogletree return before the end of the season?
“The way he’s training would lead you to believe that he’s got that in mind, but I don’t think it’s fair to hold out unsubstantiated hope to a player so until we get closer to that even being a possibility, we’ll just let him train hard and see where those things go,” Groh said.
