According to Virginia coach Al Groh, the Virginia football team (4-7) must remain focused when it plays Penn State (5-5) on Saturday. With the season extended to include the game that was postponed because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Cavaliers will have to come in excited about finishing the year on a good note, especially after a week off.
"We are looking forward to playing this last game of the season," Groh said. "We will have to come out be ready to play in the first quarter."
Although the Cavaliers are not eligible to go to a bowl this season, Groh believes that this is a perfect opportunity for Virginia to show what it can do in front of a national audience. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
"I think it's a chance for us to have a significant win," Groh said. "This will probably be one of the most watched games in the country. I am sure there is a lot of interest to see whether or not Penn State will become bowl eligible after starting 0-4. I am sure there will be a lot of attention on this game."
Groh emphasized that the Cavaliers must concentrate in the first quarter since they have put only 27 points on the board in the opening quarter this season. He believes the extra week off gave some of his players the time needed to get healthy. Nagging injuries have hampered some of Virginia's best players, including senior running back Antwoine Womack.
"The week off has given our players a chance to rest up," Groh said. "They seem to be much refreshed. When I talked to Antwoine last night, he seemed really ready to play."
In a season that has witnessed tremendous highs and terrible lows for the Cavaliers, Groh hopes to finish up on a high note.
"There has not been enough continuity this season," he said. "Things have been changing all season. We have had to adjust every game due to injuries and performances, but we will continue to fight hard."
Recruiting starts during the season
Under normal circumstances, recruiting picks up with the beginning of "contact period" after the Thanksgiving weekend. During this time, assistant coaches can travel to recruits and talk to them openly about coming to Virginia. Each team is allowed only one encounter with a prospective player during the season.
Even though the tragic events of Sept. 11 have extended Virginia's season by two weeks, Groh said that some of his assistants would be out on the recruiting trail so they make their interest known to all of their prospective players.
"With the season ending two weeks later than planned, we will not be able to recruit as hard as possible," Groh said. "We will be out recruiting this week, but we also have to prepare for the game."
|
Some NCAA coaches tried to have the "contact period" begin after this week, but the NCAA would not allow it. Groh is excited about getting out and letting the high school players know that they are the future of Virgnia's football program.
"I am excited to go out and play this last game," he said. "But I know that after that we will have to go out and secure the guys that will be our future."
Starting quarterback undecided
Groh did not know who would lead the team into its last game of the season. With both Bryson Spinner and Matt Schaub not performing well against Virginia Tech on Nov. 17, Groh indicated that the starting job still is up for grabs.
"I will meet with the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator this Thursday and that's probably when we will decide," Groh said.
Read More
Football lands three additional transfers
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayOne common trait that stands out with this most recent batch of transfers is size.
Men’s basketball suffers road drubbing versus California
By Emory Huffman | YesterdayVirginia submitted another rudderless performance.
