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Miranda Mason catches up with linebacker Steve Greer . |
In search of its first back-to-back winning seasons since 2004-2005, the Virginia football team opened on the right foot with a 2-0 start for the second straight year. Things get tougher this week for the Hoos as they open ACC play and hit the road for the first time as well. The Cavaliers face a powerful option attack and Al Groh’s defense at Georgia Tech.
Virginia coach Mike London said he doesn’t know if working as Groh’s defensive coordinator previously gives him an edge, but he noted that Groh is using more multiple fronts this season in addition to his traditional 3-4 package. London also said he knows that Groh brings a strong defensive game plan to the table each week because he has seen that first-hand during his time on Groh’s staff at Virginia.
“Coach has always been really good at game planning and scheming the ‘blitz of the month’ before the game, he’s been really good at seeing what you do now and coming up with something that maybe he has not shown in the last two games,” London said.
While the Groh-led defense vs. UVa angle carries some intrigue due to the circumstances of his Virginia departure, Georgia Tech week by and large focuses on the tricky option attack of head coach Paul Johnson. The Yellow Jackets roll up rushing yards at a dizzying rate thanks to their commitment to the ground game. Coming into this week’s game, Tech has posted 661 rushing yards on 113 carries. That’s 5.8 yards per carry and 330.5 yards per game. In 2011, GT ranked second nationally in rushing yards with 316.46 yards per game.
The mix of inside dive plays, classic option pitches, and counter tosses among other run looks gives opponents plenty to digest. Throw in cut blocks and the defense’s chore gets tougher. That’s why Virginia’s captains led some voluntary practices in the summer to work on the basic assignments for option defense. It’s also why the Cavaliers included option sessions in both spring practice and August’s training camp.
“Well, as I mentioned before – having the foresight of playing them early, we go back to coming into the season, you take your first three games, your first three opponents, and you break them down and do some game planning on them,” London said. “Being that they are the third game, you know, Coach Reid and defensive staff put together some cards, tape, breakdowns and personnel matchups. We did that early on and during spring practice, we devoted a couple practices – I called it coordinator’s choice – to do what they wanted to do and needed to do and we spent some time on option then.”
“It’s going to be kind of an us against you mentality. We kind of know what they’re going to do and they’re going to have a good idea what we’re going to do,” Cavalier linebacker Steve Greer said. “So for us it’s going to be guys beating blocks and making plays. I think that’s the mentality of our defense.”
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Virginia’s defense faces the challenge of stopping Georgia Tech’s option attack this week. |
Georgia Tech features seven returning starters on offense, including several members of the offensive line. Center Jay Finch, guard Omoregie Uzzi , guard Will Jackson, and tackle Ray Beno are all back up front. That means the timing, execution of cut blocks, and general chemistry have been built over time.
The line’s experience also means that those players have seen many of the adjustments defenses try to make to disrupt the option.
“They have seen a whole bunch of fronts. They have seen the different stunts that people try to throw at them. So when you have an experienced line, not just operating the triple option, but also being able to block and defend 3 4, 4 3, two guards head up on two defensive tackles heading up on the guard and slanting in and slanting out,” London said. “They have seen all those type of looks and what you have experienced linemen like that running the offense, it plays to their strength, and so that is one of the strengths of their team.”
The Yellow Jackets also have an experienced quarterback directing the offense in Tevin Washington, who also brings a credible passing threat to the table that has been missing in some years for Johnson at Georgia Tech. Washington has gained 160 yards rushing, but he’s also thrown for 257 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. He’s coming off a game against Presbyterian where he passed for 161 yards and 1 TD while rushing for 97 yards in a 59-3 victory.
With a young secondary still finding its way, sophomore Demetrious Nicholson knows that the run-heavy approach of Tech can be dangerous to an unaware secondary.
“It definitely presents a challenge for us. They run the ball so much so they try to lull you to sleep and then out of nowhere they can just take a shot on you and go deep,” Nicholson said. “You’ve definitely got to read your keys and know your assignment on each snap.”
So exactly how will the Cavaliers prepare for the challenges presented by the Yellow Jackets’ option attack? Nicholson said they practice without a ball a lot of the time in order to emphasize the importance of every player’s assignment on every play. Virginia will also turn to holder Jacob Hodges once again as the scout team quarterback because he ran some option offense in high school. Hodges played that role last season as UVa upset previously unbeaten Georgia Tech 24-21 in Charlottesville.
Greer said that Hodges watches extra film on his own to prepare for his role during GT week and that he’ll do a good job of preparing the defense for the looks it will see in Atlanta. Of course, he was surprised the first time in practice when defensive coordinator Jim Reid called over the holder to run the scout team offense.
“Coach Reid said Hodges come over here and I did a double take, like ‘the holder?'” Greer said. “He did a really good job. He’s pretty athletic and he’s running around. It definitely really helped us and I look for it to help us again this week.”
Worth Quoting
UVa coach Mike London on running the football: “I think it’s one of those things that we have to do a better job being able to run the ball. … There is a renewed emphasis on being able to use what we thought was a strength, what we think is a strength of our team, by being able to run the ball more, hopefully hang onto ball and provide these opportunities to have extended plays instead of just, one, two, or three plays and out.”
Nicholson’s Tackling
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Fans on TheSabre.com have noticed the strong tackling effort from Virginia cornerback Demetrious Nicholson so far this season. The sophomore has started the season on solid footing with 13 tackles (8 solo) and 4 pass break-ups. Beyond the statistics, however, Nicholson’s technique has improved and he’s more physically sound in finishing tackles.
“Definitely the weight room’s got a lot to do with that, having the whole offseason in there to get stronger and be more powerful and more explosive,” Nicholson said. “Then being able to play low every snap and be in good football position [is part of it too] because last year I look back on film and I’m kind of disappointed in myself. I played high [with my pads] a lot. This year I’ve definitely been working at it over camp and throughout the games.”
Nicholson’s individual goal quickly became a unit goal. Cornerback coach Chip West said during the preseason that Nicholson wanted playing with a lower pad level to be a point of emphasis for all of the defensive backs this season.
“Yes sir. Just playing low and being in good football position,” Nicholson said. “Not only does it look better on film, but you also play better that way.”
Jarrett’s Extra Point
When Jake McGee hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 to play Saturday, it pulled Virginia into a 16-16 tie with Penn State. That put the game’s potential outcome on the foot of field goal kicker Drew Jarrett . After all, Penn State had its extra point attempt blocked earlier. So essentially, Jarrett won the game reporters joked Monday.
“I would not go that far,” Jarrett said with a laugh.
In fact, Jarrett only had one thought running through his mind as he prepared for the kick. It wasn’t about having to make it to win either.
“To tell you the truth the only thing I could think of when I was taking my steps back in order to kick the extra point was my mother is probably having a heart attack right now,” Jarrett said with a smile.
Jarrett made the extra point and UVa prevailed 17-16.
Worth Quoting Too
Darius Jennings after Saturday’s game on having a good start to the 2012 season: “It’s nice to see all the hard work pay off. Just trying to refine my skills. Last year, I was kind of thrown into the fire a little bit coming from quarterback to receiver. Now, I really feel as though I can be a complete receiver here. So I’m just trying to go out there and prove myself to the coaches and the QBs so they know I can be a viable option. It kind of shows through the first two games.”
Worth Noting
- UVa’s senior left tackle Oday Aboushi was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week and senior inside linebacker Steve Greer was named ACC Linebacker of the Week for their performances against Penn State. Aboushi graded out at 92 percent and had 12 knockdown blocks. Greer set a new career-high 15 tackles and tied his career high with two sacks.
- Drew Jarrett said in perfect field conditions on his best day that his range stretches out to 55 to 60 yards. Jarrett is not currently on scholarship.
- Jarrett also said that he reads a golf book before every game that focuses heavily on the mental aspects of sports.
- The Atlantic Coast Conference announced that Virginia’s game at TCU on Saturday, Sept. 22 will kick off at noon ET (11 a.m. CT). The game will be broadcast by either ESPN or ESPN2.
- On Penn State’s touchdown pass in the second half that gave the visitors the lead, Cavalier cornerback Demetrious Nicholson and safety Anthony Harris were “in a type of zone coverage and he ran a double move on us and caught us off guard,” Nicholson said. He added that seeing that play will help the duo in the future.
- Nicholson also said that receiver Dominique Terrell has multiple nicknames. Dom-T, DT, Niquey, and 2 (his number) have all been used for him.
