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Wes’ Ways To Win – UConn

NO PEERMAN???? GIVE ME A. PEARMAN AND BRING THE PAYNE

SAT question for you. With Cedric Peerman missing from the Cavaliers plan on Saturday, Virginia will lose:

a) Its leading rusher, averaging 97.5 ypg with 5 touchdowns
b) A solid and reliable pass blocker

c) A kick returner and solid blocker on special teams
d) All the above

If you’ve watched the past five games, you know the answer. As of my deadline, Cedric Peerman ‘s status was up in the air. What isn’t lingering in the atmosphere is what Peerman has contributed to this team.

The onus will fall Saturday on Andrew Pearman , Keith Payne , and whomever fills in on kick returns to not only contribute but to make a difference.

“Mostly likely they’ll both be involved, although the players are aware we’re going to scrutinize the performance in practice this week very closely. Not that we don’t always, but really grade it to a T and based on that performance we’ll make a decision,” UVa coach Al Groh said. “We want them to understand that part of this is competitive and the way to get more playing time is to show us in practice that you’re the one deserving of more playing time. That will make it very clear-cut for us, but part of the intent is that it will hopefully help each player raise the level of his game.”

Plus, the possible absence of Cedric will be yet another test in the growth of Jameel Sewell . A good sign emerged last week when Sewell led Virginia down the field with 1:16 left without old reliable # 37 in the backfield. Yet, if Virginia wants to make it six in a row this week, it will need more then just one drive from Sewell, Pearman, and Payne.

STOP THE DOUBLE , UMM … MAKE THAT TRIPLE TROUBLE

The good news is Andre Dixon is Connecticut’s back-up running back. The bad news is that Dixon already has two 100-yard plus games and is averaging more than 6 yards per carry.

Dixon missed the first two games of the season because of suspension but has been trying to make up for lost time, amassing 262 yards in three games. Starter Donald Brown has collected more than 350 yards and five visits to the end zone.

The real scary part is that they like living in harmony. Against Akron, Brown rushed for 65 yards and Dixon produced 116. Then the Huskies added a head to the monster in Lou Allen, who posted 31 yards as all three ran for a touchdown. Allen also has five rushing touchdowns on the year.

“[Andre] Dixon and [Donald] Brown are very similar players; when [Lou] Allen comes in the difference is about 35 or 40 pounds. He’s a real big back; he hasn’t played here of late. It’s a significant difference. [With] the other two, the styles are about the same,” said Groh.

Virginia has faced teams with double running threats already this season. Against Wyoming, Devin Moore scampered for 125 yards on 18 carries while Wynnel Seldon collected 74 yards on three more carries. Against Pittsburgh, the Cavaliers did better by holding LeSean McCoy to less than 90 yards and LaRod Stephens-Howling to less than 40.

Include Virginia’s efforts against Dwight Dasher and DeMarco McNair last week and it appears as if the Cavaliers are on the right track.

LIMIT THE LONG DRIVES

Looking back on the Redskins’ win last week over Detroit, the fact that Washington’s offense wouldn’t let the Lions’ explosive offense on the field went along way in the victory. At halftime, Washington controlled the time of possession, holding the ball 22 minutes out of 30.

Virginia, hopefully, took notes.

UConn has the capability for long drives with quarterback Tyler Lorenzon and its defense has the knack of getting take-aways to aid in controlling time of possession.

“They have a very high time of possession,” said Groh. “There are a couple of reasons for that. They’ve put on some very long drives themselves, but being up there in the top 10 in the country in take-aways, they’ve been able to take time of possession away from the other teams, mostly by interceptions. That is one of the reasons why the points allowed are down because when they have the ball, it’s pretty hard for the other team to score. That’s got to be factored in on our part; we can’t allow them to have all that extra time.”

Connecticut not only eats up the clock and yards but produces in the end. Against Temple, the Huskies had four scoring drives that covered a lot of time and distance (8 plays, 49 yards, TD; 8 plays, 43 yards, TD; 11 plays, 47 yards, FG; 7 plays, 69 yards, TD). Against Pitt, it was a similar story with three long marches for points (15 plays, 75 yards, FG; 8 plays, 60 yards, TD; 9 plays, 70 yards, TD). Against Akron, UConn took it a step further with five long drives (7 plays, 70 yards, TD; 8 plays, 52 yards, FG; 7 plays, 60 yards, TD; 7 plays, 71 yards, TD; 7 plays, 90 yards, TD).

THE RED ZONE AND THRID QUARTER ARE KEY

Piling on the things that Connecticut does well: work in the red zone and effort after the half.

UConn is just sickening inside the opponent’s 20. In 21 trips, the Huskies have scored 20 times with an astounding 14 touchdowns. Virginia’s defense has limited opponents to 11 scores in 16 attempts in the red zone (8 TDs). Unfortunately, the last four red zone scores the Cavaliers have allowed have been touchdowns. Granted, two of those touchdowns were caused by offensive (MTSU) or special teams (PITT) turnovers, but tightening up the red zone defense will go along way in beating Connecticut.

The Huskies also get it done in the third quarter, jumping all over their opponents 52-10. Virginia did not allow MTSU to put up any points in the third quarter, but once again the Cav offense failed to tally a score.

The Cavaliers proved last week that they cannot only play but can win when coming from behind. Sooner rather than later, the third quarter will prove to be critical. It could be this week. Either it will be the benefit or the detractor. Virginia needs to learn to play after the half and its best test to date comes Saturday.

PREDICTION ….hold on tight kids and bring the Maalox to Homecoming … Virginia 21, UCONN 20.


Wes McElroy is a sports talkshow host for ESPN 840 AM in Charlottesville. The Final Round with Wes McElroy airs week days from 4 to 6 p.m. Listen live on the Web site.

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