Two of the Cavaliers three touchdowns Saturday afternoon were followed by something college football fans might need to get a lot more accustomed to seeing next season – excessive celebration penalties.
After scores by both redshirt freshman Zach Swanson and senior Dom Joseph , what seemed like mild celebrations from afar were flagged for the 15-yard penalty. The rule is a point of emphasis for both the officials and coach Mike London going into the season. Swanson’s touchdown actually did not count because a muffed punt fumble cannot be advanced; the 15-yard penalty was marked from the spot of recovery.
“It’s one of those things that the guys have to understand there is none of that celebration stuff or pointing to the crowd or gyrations or throwing the ball up because now the new rule will be in effect and they can take points off the board,” London said.
The new rule London is referring to is that starting this year, players who begin to celebrate before reaching the end zone will be penalized on “the spot,” meaning the play will be marked dead there.
“When you have an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty prior to scoring or as you score then they can take points of the board,” London said. “I know [you’re] happy about getting in the end zone but we gotta think beyond the moment because that’s something that can cost you points.”
Rule changes aside, the flags are also especially concerning because the Cavaliers struggled with penalties all of last season – Virginia was first in the ACC in penalties. That’s been a focus in Spring practice so far, according to London.
“That is a point of emphasis, and it will remain a point of emphasis, even going into the last week [of practice],” London said.
Captains and Awards
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Coach Mike London presents Matt Snyder the Iron Cavalier Award. |
In addition to the Spring Game festivities, Virginia announced both the captains for the upcoming season and the award winners for the spring at halftime of Saturday’s contest.
Junior running back Perry Jones and senior wide receiver Matt Snyder were named offensive captains. Jones started 11 of 12 games for the Cavaliers last year, amassing 646 yards on 137 carries, good for a 53.8 yards per game average and a 4.7 yards per carry mark. Snyder appeared in all 12 of Virginia’s games last season, but really came on at the end of the year, getting at least two receptions in each of the Cavaliers’ final eight games.
Senior defensive tackle Nick Jenkins was named captain for the second time in his career. Jenkins was only one of seven Cavaliers to start every game last season, and has been starting for the Cavaliers consistently since the fourth game of the 2008 season. Jenkins recorded 43 tackles and was selected as the Defensive Player Of The Year last year for the Cavaliers.
Joining Jenkins as a defensive captain this year will be senior safety Rodney McLeod . McLeod started nine games last year, and finished the season fourth on the team in tackles. As a freshman, McLeod won the Bill Dudley Award for the most outstanding first year player.
McLeod is also one of two winners of this year’s Rock Weir award, for most improved player during spring football. Joining him as the offensive award winner is senior offensive guard Austin Pasztor , who has started 32 games during his career as a Cavalier.
The Z Society Dudley Award, presented to the program’s most outstanding first year, went to offensive tackle Morgan Moses, while the Cavalier Academic Achievement Award was split between sophomore guard Luke Bowanko and junior defensive tackle Will Hill . The Iron Cavalier award, for “performance and dedication in the weight room” was presented to senior wide receiver Matt Snyder, a walk-on who finished fourth on the team with 30 catches for 393 yards last season.
