Hoo Preview 2010: By The Numbers

Mike London and the Cavaliers start practice Friday as they prepare for the 2010 season.

When the Virginia football team starts its season on Sept. 4 with 6 p.m. game against Richmond at Scott Stadium, it will be the first game under new coach Mike London. It is also the first chance for the Cavaliers to show off their new 4-3 defense and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s new offense. The Sabre helps you gear up for the first kickoff with a “By The Numbers” look in the Hoo Preview.

1

The number of quarterbacks on the roster that have started or played in a game for Virginia. With 10 starts under his belt, senior Marc Verica has appeared in 17 games in his Cavalier career. That’s a stark contrast from last season when Verica, Jameel Sewell , and Vic Hall all entered the season with at least one career start at quarterback.

3

The number of interceptions in 2009 for cornerback Ras-I Dowling. UVa’s senior standout in the secondary picked off three passes in 2009, giving him eight for his career. Dowling earned second-team All-ACC honors last season and is expected to be a first round NFL Draft pick next spring. Dowling has been recognized during the preseason on the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Thorpe Award.

8

The number of touchdown passes and interceptions thrown by Virginia quarterbacks last season. Jameel Sewell , Marc Verica , and Vic Hall all took snaps under center in 2009 and they combined for 8 TDs and 8 INTs. The Cavaliers’ passing game needs better than a 1-1 ratio on touchdowns and interceptions to be effective for new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.

15

The number of rushing touchdowns scored by the Hoos in 2009. UVa scored 15 times on carries last season and unfortunately none of those players are back for the 2010 season. Seniors Jameel Sewell (7), Mikell Simpson (5), Rashawn Jackson (2), and Vic Hall (1) combined for the rushing TDs. For the season, the Cavaliers posted 26 total touchdowns. Joe Torchia (2), Tim Smith (2), Kris Burd (1), and Bill Schautz (1) are the only returning players to visit the end zone last season.

Chase Minnifield led the Cavaliers in kick return yardage last season.

23.3

The number of yards averaged on kick returns by Chase Minnifield in 2009. Defensive back Chase Minnifield frequently has seemed close to breaking big returns for the Hoos and he averaged 23.3 yards per kick return on 22 attempts in 2009. Minnifield posted the team’s longest return of the year at 49 yards.

33

The number worn by sophomore running back Perry Jones . A tailback out of Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Jones had 9 carries for 9 yards and 1 reception for 38 yards as a true freshman. He also had 241 kick return yards, which helped rank him sixth on the team for all-purpose yards. Modest numbers for sure, but Jones’ name was part of the buzz at Virginia’s Media Day. Apparently the 5’8″, 185-pound back has caught the attention of his teammates.

47

The number of points Virginia scored in a 47-7 win against Indiana in 2009. The Cavaliers scored more than 30 points just twice last season (47 against Indiana and 34 against Southern Miss); the Hoos posted 21 points or less in the other 10 games for the season. UVa finished 3-9 on the year.

59

The number of wins for former coach Al Groh during his Virginia tenure. Groh posted a 59-53 record in his nine-year career at UVa. Mike London replaced Groh in December as the new coach for the Cavaliers.

83

The record number of receptions in a season by a Cavalier. Billy McMullen set the UVa record for receptions in a season when he hauled in 83 catches for 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2001. Virginia’s leading returning receivers for 2010 – Kris Burd (38), Jared Green (27), Dontrelle Inman (27), Tim Smith (15), and Matt Snyder (1) – have combined for just 108 receptions in their careers.

92

The number of total tackles made last season by Steve Greer . A redshirt freshman in 2009, Greer had 49 solo stops and 43 assisted tackles to finish with a team-leading 92 tackles. The next three leading returnees in tackles are all defensive backs – Rodney McLeod (62), Ras-I Dowling (58), and Corey Mosley (47).

127

The number of yards lost by opponents thanks to UVa sacks last season. The Cavaliers came up with 22 sacks for 127 yards in 2009.

493

The number of yards lost rushing by Virginia in 2009. The Cavaliers posted 1,189 yards rushing last season, a number hurt by the 493 yards lost rushing. On 410 attempts, the Hoos averaged 2.9 yards per carry and 99.1 yards per game on the ground last season.

7,897

The total yards of offense by Shawn Moore in his UVa career. Moore, the team’s new wide receivers coach, is the all-time record holder for total offense at Virginia with 7,897 yards in his career. From 1987-1990, Moore passed for 6,629 yards and rushed for 1,268 yards. He averaged 6.7 yards per play over the 1,177 plays of his Cav career.

27,469

The number of season tickets sold at the time this article was published. Virginia has sold 27,469 season tickets for the 2010 season. The goal was set at 31,751 after UVa sold 30,507 season tickets in 2009.

64,947

The record number of fans in attendance at a Scott Stadium football game. When USC visited UVa on Aug. 30, 2008, 64,947 fans set the Scott Stadium record for attendance. The Trojans won 52-7. The Cavaliers make the return trip to Southern California this season; that game is scheduled for Sept. 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET.