TWTW: Duke Is Duke, Beats UVa

((HT: WCAV-TV Charlottesville))

You know, the HQ can never really figure Dook out...

They're competitive, they're getting blown out...

They're a doormat in the ACC, they sneak up on someone late in the year and cause havoc with all that is normal and right with the world as we know it.

Actually, with under three minutes left in regulation, the Cavaliers took a 48-47 lead thanks to a Keith Payne touchdown run.

Then Duke converted a 4th and 18 and scored the game winning touchdown just three plays later.

Virginia falls to 4-5 overall this season despite 634 total yards and 417 passing yards from Marc Verica.

They have their final home game of the season against Maryland next week.

Jed Gamber sits indoors...

TWTW: Again... Will Groh Go...??? UVa Loses To Miami 52-17

((HT: WCAV-TV/Charlottesville))

Miami outscored Virginia 28-0 in the second half on the way to a 52-17 win over the Cavaliers. Virginia has now lost three straight games.

The Cavaliers actually kept it close in the first half. After falling behind 24-10, Bill Schautz returned a blocked punt in the closing minutes of the first half to pull Virginia within seven points.

The Hurricanes scored touchdowns on their first three drives of the second half, putting the game away for good when Graig Cooper scored on a three yard run around the right side. Cooper finished with 152 yards on 18 carries for the Canes, who are now 7-2 on the season (4-2 ACC).

Quarterback Jacory Harris also had a productive day for Miami. He was 18-31 for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Virginia left much to be desired on offense. Quarterback Marc Verica was just 11-29 for 75 yards and an interception filling in for the injured Jameel Sewell.

The Cavaliers were outgained 515-149 in total yards of offense.
The Cavaliers fall to 3-6 on the season (2-3 ACC).

Virginia will try to bounce back next week with a home game against Boston College. Matt Parsons got to sit behind a desk while Marc Davis was in Miami...
Who won that bet...??? ((HT: Newsplex.com))


So again, we ask the question...
Is the University going to spring for the moving van first, or is Da Coach gonna...
Groh gotta go...

Watch Out ACC, Here Come The 'Hoos

3 Weeks ago, Virginia football fans were feeling really low. The Cavaliers were blown out by Duke 31-3 and the Cavs were 1-3 and a horrible football team. Starting quarterback Peter Lalich was dismissed from the team. Would UVA replace Duke as the ACC’s punching bag?

3 weeks later and the Hoo’s are hot, first rebounding nicely from the Duke debacle blowing out Maryland 31-0 then defeating East Carolina 35-20 and now taking care of 18th ranked North Carolina in overtime 16-13 in Charlottesville.

“That was an awesome win for our team and I’m tremendously proud of our players and I’m happy for them that they got a chance to celebrate the way they did.” Virginia head coach Al Groh said. “Every team throughout the course of the year has got to find its identity. We clearly think over the last three weeks we’re starting to find our identity, which is a tough-minded, stick together, purposeful team with a lot of resolve. There’s a lot of trust and unity on the team.”

I couldn’t have said it better coach Groh. Virginia could have folded the tents and waved off the 2008 season after being humiliated by Duke. Instead UVA has shown guts and moxie in rattling off 3 wins in a row.

Since taking over as starting quarterback, Marc Verica has thrown for 200 yards for 3 games in a row and has pumped life in what was an anemic Cavalier offense. In turn UVA is a confident team.

“This game does a lot for our confidence.” Verica said. “We know what we are capable of. We didn’t play our best today, but luckily we were able to get the win.”

I thought Virginia was a last place team lucky to win 3 games. Well they have won 4, 3 in a row and have taken the personality of their cantankerous head coach, Al Groh. Tough and resilient.

I never thought UVA would be in the conversation for the ACC Championship Game in late October but here are the ‘Hoos, 4-3, 2-1 in the ACC and with a good chance. Heck, 2 more wins and the Cavaliers qualify for a bowl.

Photo Courtesy: David Petkofsky/UVa Media Relations

Here's Cedric Peerman's overtime touchdown to finish off North Carolina.

Thanks to our friends at NBC29 in Charlottesville for the video of the game and the game winner along with some reaction.