For the Virginia football team, playtime is now over.
The team will get its first true test of the season this Saturday when it travels to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins.
The Terrapins (2-2), while not members of the ACC elite, still represent a step up in competition. Maryland has enjoyed some recent success against the Cavaliers, winning the past two games on its home turf. The Cavaliers suffered a 27-17 defeat in their last visit two seasons ago.
This year's Maryland team, however, looks a lot more like the team Virginia shut out 16-0 in Charlottesville last season. Maryland has sputtered to start the season, with two wins coming against a weak Navy team and perennial ACC bottom feeder Wake Forest. In addition, both of the Terrapins' losses have come at home within the confines of Byrd Stadium.
Despite their record, the Terrapins have managed to stay in games with a strong defensive unit that has caused problems for opposing offenses.
"They're probably the most talented defense that we've played thus far," senior quarterback Marques Hagans said. "They're real physical, and it's going to be a good game. It's definitely going to be a good challenge for us."
The anchor of the Terrapin defense is middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. Jackson has flourished in Maryland's 4-3 alignment, playing much the same role Ray Lewis does for the Baltimore Ravens. The 4-3 formation, along with his speed, allows Jackson to cover a lot of ground and make plays all over the field. In just four games this season, Jackson already has 58 tackles, pacing the ACC by more than 18 tackles.
"It's hard not to notice the guy," Hagans said. "He's one of the best linebackers in the country. Just starting off right there, you have to deal with everyone else too, but he's probably the front runner."
Maryland's offense has struggled so far to find consistency this season. Quarterback Sam Hollenbach emerged from the Terps QB vacuum in the preseason but has had no more success leading an offense that was among the worst in the conference last season.
With a spotty running game and questionable talent at wide receiver, Hollenbach has relied on his versatile tight end, Vernon Davis. Davis is Hollenbach's favorite target, and for good reason -- the athletic Davis possesses speed and quickness not often seen at the tight end position. This often results in mismatches, with Davis matched up on a slower linebacker.
Davis' 88 receiving yards per game places him second in the ACC behind Georgia Tech playmaker Calvin Johnson.
"He's one of those unique players," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "It's not only that you don't see one of those players with his abilities every week, you can go season to season and not see one like Vernon. He's a tremendous weapon for their team."
Despite not having the overall talent of the Cavaliers, Maryland has the playmakers to possibly steal a victory. The Cavaliers are not overlooking a scrappy Maryland team, and it has been business as usual for Virginia this week.
"We all approach this game the same way," sophomore Chris Long said. "It's an ACC game. All ACC games are the same -- they're worth one win."
Read More
No. 6 women’s squash falls to No. 5 Stanford in first match of the new year
By Peter Kratz | YesterdayThe Cavaliers fall to 0-1 in conference play after their first clash with the Cardinal.
Katie Grimes posts historic debut as women’s swimming and diving annihilates Virginia Tech
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoGrimes broke out as a new superstar for Coach Todd DeSorbo's squad.
Women’s basketball displays stingy defense, but falls short versus No. 14 Duke
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoThe Cavaliers nearly conquered a ranked rival but could not generate consistent offense.
