There have not been very many certainties for the Virginia football program this year, but several Cavaliers have stood out with rock-solid performances in every game. Senior right tackle Mike Mullins is a perfect example.
It has been a year of highs and lows for the Virginia squad, experiencing big wins, injuries and tough losses. More than any other position, injuries have heavily impacted the offensive line -- most recently, sophomore guard Elton Brown was injured against Georgia Tech. In light of Brown's injury, Mullins and freshman left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson now are the only linemen to have started every game this season. Junior center and preseason Remington Award finalist Kevin Bailey was lost early in the season, and the other line spots were filled with a steady rotation of Mark Farrington, Ben Carber, Zac Yarbrough and Brian Barthelmes.
Coach Al Groh, in his unique way of responding, remains optimistic about his line's health and Brown's return.
"I'm always hopeful," Groh said. "I'm hopeful that Santa Claus comes, too, if I've been a good boy."
With such constant uncertainty, Mullins has emerged as the unit's senior leader.
Mullins, a Bluefield, West Va., native, has not let Brown's absence or anything else faze him. He has remained a constant, productive member of the line, and he is certainly aware of his increased responsibility, with Brown out and tough games ahead against N.C. State, Maryland and Virginia Tech.
Brown's injury "calls on a whole lot of people to step up and play," Mullins said.
Early on in his athletic career, before he came to Virginia, his focus was split between several different sports including baseball, basketball and the shot-put/discus in track. His athleticism then foreshadowed his achievements now.
Last season was the turning point for Mullins' career, largely because of Groh's reconstruction of the Virginia offensive line. Mullins appeared in 11 games for the Cavaliers, starting the last four. His presence became invaluable to the team with passing yards, rushing yards and points per game increasing with his appearance on the line.
But he did not have it easy, coming in underweight and unprepared.
"I came in even lighter than" Ferguson, he said of his 265-pound counterpart.
In the 2000 campaign, he saw time on the field goal and extra point units and saw action in seven regular season games, earning his first letter. His freshman season was similar to this 2000 season with Mullins seeing time on the field goal and extra point units and appearing in several games after red-shirting the 1998 season.
He has taken his senior season in stride, leaving everything he has to give on the field, making sure he has done everything he can for the Cavaliers. Virginia has become a more pass-oriented offense this season, but he still understands his role in the large scheme and what skills he needs to do his job.
"It's just technique and knowing what the guy on the other side of the ball is going to do," he said. "There's a lot more you need to know about in the passing game."
The Cavaliers now are 6-4 with one more win making the team bowl eligible. However, Mullins' perspective about what may happen is one that most players share.
"We've become more focused on the task at hand and not thinking about a bowl game," he said.
This senior leader will take away a large reservoir of memories with him when he finishes this season, but he has one favorite memory that will always stick with him.
"Probably the only one that really stands out is the Georgia Tech game last year. That last play: the hook and lateral," he said with a smile.
He also expresses gratitude for the chance to come to a school like Virginia and play Division 1-A football.
In addition to being an ACC starter, Mullins received his undergraduate degree in sociology last May. With his dedication, outlook and attitude, his success has only started -- both on and off the field.
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