Starters on Virginia's defense earn the right to wear the coveted "Orange Crush" practice jersey. Halfway through last season, however, coach Al Groh deemed the unit's play unsatisfactory and stripped all of the starters of their jerseys, forcing them to earn them back.
"There was a point where we didn't have any orange jerseys because they weren't playing like a first team defense," Groh said.
The three defensive linemen -- Chris Canty, Andrew Hoffman and Brennan Schmidt -- and linebacker Darryl Blackstock have all regained the privilege of donning their orange pennies.
The new addition to that line is someone who has yet to play a single play of defense in college and has only 20 special teams tackles to his name. Converted running back turned safety Marquis Weeks, however, is now only the fifth man on the team to earn an orange jersey.
Groh "said that it was my job to lose, and I'm going to try my hardest not to lose it," Weeks said.
Weeks, a high school cornerback, was originally reluctant to switch positions but ultimately approached Groh in the offseason about the change, citing the chance to get on the field more. With Michael Johnson returning from a redshirt year to join Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman in a logjam at tailback, Weeks and his 305 career rushing yards were left in a precarious situation.
"I'm trying to get onto the field," Weeks said. "I feel comfortable, but I'm not as comfortable as I'm going to be once I learn the defense. I'm not as sharp as I should be."
In the absence of the injured Jermaine Hardy, sophomore Robbie Catterton has been practicing with the first team defense. In limited playing time, he recorded four tackles last season and added an interception in the Continental Tire Bowl.
"I know the defense a lot more now than I did as a true freshman," Catterton said. "I feel like I can run the defense -- I'm a smart player out there."
Sophomores Lance Evans and Marshall Tucker will also figure into the mix. Both of them are currently practicing with the second team.
News and notes
Hardy said his surgically-repaired knee is "coming along real well" and that he will resume jogging in the next few weeks. ... Wide receiver Michael McGrew has been running routes with the first offensive unit. He said the road to recovery from his broken leg was "frustrating" but credited the good work of the training staff for getting back onto the field. ... Chris Canty burst into a victory song and dance after Vince Redd blocked a field goal attempt, but Elton Brown claimed the credit: "I cleared the lane for him. I did the dirty work." ... Marques Hagans was at quarterback for almost half of the offensive plays with Christian Olsen and Kevin McCabe splitting most of the rest. ... Anthony Martinez took only a handful of snaps until running the offense on a practice-ending drive. The drive ended when Redd intercepted a tipped pass.
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