Following Saturday's loss to in-state rival Virginia Tech, the Cavalier football team (3-2, 2-1 ACC) looks to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against Duke (0-4, 0-1) at Scott Stadium.
The Blue Devils should provide a good opportunity for the Cavaliers to rebound. Duke first-year head coach Carl Franks has yet to decide between three quarterbacks, news which should be music to the ears of the Virginia defense, which in the past two weeks has faced BYU Heisman candidate Kevin Feterik and Virginia Tech freshman phenom Michael Vick.
"It won't be hard at all," Cav defensive tackle Maurice Anderson said. "It's a Conference game, and we need this win. We need to play hard and go attack them."
Duke junior Bobby Campbell and senior Kevin Thompson have taken most of the snaps this year for the Blue Devils at quarterback. Junior Spencer Romine, who returns from an injury that has kept him out the past three weeks, also will see playing time. Romine's 47.5 percent completion rate is the highest of the three.
It is likely that Duke will come out throwing the ball, as leading rusher junior Duane Epperson has gained only 159 yards in four games.
Whoever plays quarterback for Duke will work with an experienced pair of receivers. Senior Scottie Montgomery and junior Richmond Flowers, with 27 receptions between them, are talented receivers who are capable of doing damage against a young Virginia secondary that most likely will start two first years, a second year and a third year.
"We're going to be ready to play" tomorrow, third-year Cavalier cornerback Tim Spruill said. "We know they like to pass the ball. They know how to get open, and they're going to put the ball in the air."
When the Cavs have the ball, they will rely on fourth-year running back Thomas Jones. Jones has something to prove after being held to a season-low 37 yards last season against the Devils. Jones will be running behind an experienced line that, despite a poor game against Virginia Tech, should be up to the task against Duke.
"I wouldn't say it's the best offensive line we've had ever," Virginia head coach George Welsh said. "We had some guys who didn't do well against Tech. But our [blocking] has gotten better. [Brad] Barnes is the most improved player on the line. We're getting good protection out of most of them."
Despite the talents of Jones and Blue Devil defenders such as senior Outland Trophy candidate Chris Combs, the game should be decided by the matchup between Duke's struggling offense and Virginia's depleted defense.
Third-year linebacker Yubrenal Isabelle, who missed the Virginia Tech game due to the death of his mother, may play against Duke. Defensive back Dwayne Stukes, listed as day-to-day, also is a potential starter.
"Hopefully some guys will come back," third-year Cav linebacker Byron Thweatt said. "Duke's going to go out to try to throw the ball and if we don't execute, it's going to be a repeat performance. We play best when we're emotional. We should be eager to do that after this loss.
"We win as a team, lose as a team," Thweatt said.
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