In the beginning of the season, talk about the Virginia football program centered on the future and all the talented recruits that Al Groh reeled in. Now, after eight wins, four over ranked teams, talk about the Cavalier program is all about McMullen, Schaub, Crowell and the veterans who have led the program to a second place finish in the ACC. The more-than-convincing 48-13 victory over the 18th ranked Terrapins is the latest example of this core group's determination to demolish the eighth-place finish branded on them earlier in the season.
"This goes back to spring practices when I talked to the team," Groh said. "The McMullens, the Crowells, the Evanses -- the core of this team was determined that we'd have a good season."
If any one player exhibited such determination, it was McMullen. The Richmond native had seven receptions for 92 yards and in the process, became only the third player in ACC history to record 200 career receptions.But McMullen's 37-yard touchdown pass is what will not soon be forgotten.
McMullen got the ball on a double reverse and found himself nearly nose to nose with Maryland senior defensive end Durrand Roundtree. But McMullen managed to fight himself free of the grip of the Terrapin standout.
"He was able to fight himself out of trouble simply with the will to get the job done," Groh said. "It speaks a lot to his character and how he's done anything we've asked him to do very well."
Scrambling, McMullen leaped off one foot to fire a pass to junior Michael McGrew who ran untouched into the endzone to put Virginia up by a 27-7 margin.
"I kind of felt like Randall Cunningham out there. It felt real good -- I think I was the first guy down the field to celebrate. I was real excited," McMullen said.
This pass, at the beginning of the third quarter, kept the momentum squarely in Virginia's favor and silenced any chance of a second half Maryland comeback.
"We beat the fight out of them," McMullen said.
He wasn't the only Cavalier whose star shinned Saturday, fellow co-captain Angelo Crowell also made sure he left Scott Stadium with a bang. Crowell had nine tackles, a sack and forced a key fumble in Virginia's explosive 20 point second quarter.
Senior safety Jerton Evans made sure to leave Charlottesville strong as well, recording seven tackles and deflecting a pass, while senior Linebacker Merrill Robertson had five tackles and a sack.
It has become impossible to talk about Virginia without mentioning Schaub. As has almost become expected, Schaub, the fourth year with one remaining year of eligibility, had another strong performance for Virginia. He completed 23 of 27 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. In the process, he became Virginia's single season yardage leader with 2,751 yards and extended his touchdown pass record to 26.
"I think it's as complete a game that we have played," Schaub said. "We didn't make mistakes, we played solid throughout."
"It was coach's plan to peak at the end," McMullen said. "We're really playing at another level now."
The Cavaliers are indeed playing at another level -- not only did they beat No. 18 Maryland, but they dominated them. Maryland has held opponents to under 15 points per game, yet Virginia amassed 48.Maryland has averaged over 30 points per game and yet was held to less than half that. Maryland has averaged nearly 400 yards of total offense per game and yet was held to just one touchdown.
"This is a tremendous accomplishment, but it isn't the pinnacle for the program. Our goal is to win the conference championship," Groh said. "This shows us that we're not that much further from the top."
While Groh and the Cavalier program have their eyes set to the future, it is important to remember those veterans who have lead Virginia to where they now are. With this victory, for many of them their Scott Stadium sendoff, they once again have shown the talent, the character and the determination to lead the Cavalier program to unexpected heights.
"It's wonderful for them to leave Scott Stadium for the last time with this type of win," Groh said.
While all good things must come to an end, saying goodbye is something easier said than done.
"It's really just now hitting me that this is that last time that I'll be in this locker room," McMullen said.
McMullen and the seniors can hold their heads up high, because they have made Groh's dreams of a conference championship in the near future a very possible reality.
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