Coming off a heart-breaking loss this past Saturday to Florida State, Virginia will look for a big win in tomorrow's homecoming game against Troy State. The Cavaliers are on a two-game losing streak that has seen the team's record drop to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the ACC. The Cavaliers fell from tied for first place in the ACC to third place in the conference.
Troy State moved up to Division I-A in NCAA football two years ago. Despite being a team that is transitioning to a higher division, Virginia coach Al Groh does not want the Cavaliers to overlook Troy State. "Defensively, [Troy State's] system holds resemblance in the package they run to the Clemson and Florida State," Groh said. In the games against Clemson and Florida State, Virginia gained 53 and -5 rushing yards, respectively.
Also, Troy State will focus on trying to stop the aerial assault led by quarterback Matt Schaub. Troy State coach Larry Blakeney had nothing but praise for Schaub.
Schaub "seems to be in control of things on the field for them," Blakeney said. "He is a good quarterback and does a good job of both throwing the ball and making decisions."
Blakeney has already prepared his team to face top tier quarterbacks, including Kansas State's Ell Roberson, and Schaub will prove to be another challenge for the Troy State defense. Schaub is coming off a 39-53 performance last Saturday where he threw for 326 yards and a pair of touchdowns and has a quarterback rating of 143.01 on the season.
Troy State is a team that has played a tough schedule this year, but has also emerged with a 4-3 record. The Trojans have played Kansas State, Nebraska and Marshall. They were able to upset Marshall 33-24 when they played on Oct. 4th.
"It's our last chance against a big-name team, we don't want to lose," sophomore running back DeWhitt Betterson said.
In the Florida State game, Schaub threw 16 complete passes to running back Alvin Pearman. Pearman set a Virginia record for catches in a game and provided a receiving threat out of the backfield that the Cavaliers have lacked this season. Prior to Pearman's record setting performance, Pearman and starting tailback Wali Lundy had combined for 17 receptions on the season.
"I think [Pearman] demonstrated once again, certainly not for the first time, but he demonstrated once again the heart with which he plays," Groh said.
When Troy State's offense takes the field, Virginia will focus on stopping the run. Betterson is coming off of a 154 yard game last week against Florida International. The Trojans are a "power running team," Groh said. "They really assault the line with the ball." Virginia's defense allowed Florida State to gain 196 rushing yards.
Tomorrow's game will be the first meeting between Virginia and Troy State. Virginia hasn't lost a homecoming game to a non-conference opponent since 1986 and will look to win its third consecutive homecoming game.
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