When the Virginia and Penn State football squads meet at Scott Stadium tomorrow, each team will be running on the field from completely opposite directions. The game, which was rescheduled from Sept. 13 because of the terrorist attacks earlier that week, is Virginia's season finale.
Virginia (4-7) looks to salvage a season that started off promising but recently has fallen flat. After a 3-1 start and a victory against top-20 Clemson, the Cavaliers lost six of their next seven games, including ugly losses to Florida State, N.C. State and Virginia Tech. A victory against the visiting Nittany Lions (5-5) could be a stepping stone for next year.
"We want to go out on a good note," Virginia linebacker Angelo Crowell said. "A win will make us feel a lot better in the offseason."
On the other side of the field, Penn State has completely turned around its season and could earn a bowl invitation with a victory over the Cavaliers. The Nittany Lions opened the season 0-4 for the first time in their 115-year history. Penn State then went on to win five of its next six games and can become bowl eligible with a win over the Cavaliers.
"We will need to be ready to go out and play hard," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "They will be excited because they are playing for a bowl game."
Freshman quarterback Zack Mills has led the Penn State turnaround. He already has the Nittany Lions freshman record for passing yards with 1,533 this season. Mills' breakout game came against Ohio State on Oct. 27.
After entering the game in relief of starter Matt Senneca, Mills finished the game with the Penn State total offense record in a single game. He threw for 280 yards on 17-of-32 passing attempts. Mills also ran for 138 yards on 15 carries. The 29-27 comeback victory against the Buckeyes earned Mills Big Ten player of the week honors. More importantly, the game marked coach Joe Paterno's entrance into the record books with his 324th career win, the most in Division I-A history.
"The [Penn State] offense struggled early on, but has really turned it around behind a great quarterback who is running the show up there the second half of the season," Groh said.
The Cavaliers' greatest chance for success probably will be on the ground against an inexperienced Nittany Lions defensive front. Penn State allows 176 yards a game on the ground, ranked 89th in the country.
"Antwoine Womack is one of the best backs in the country," Paterno said. "He has great speed and power. He is a heck of a back."
The final game of the inaugural season for Groh will be a chance for the Cavaliers to leave their fans and themselves with a good taste in their mouths.
"This is a big game because it is our last chance to show we are a good team," Groh said. "We are on national television in a game most of the country will be watching"
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