Heading into its final two games of the season, Virginia (4-6, 3-3 ACC) is looking to finish the 2006 campaign on a high note. Youth has been the main theme for the Cavaliers this season and strong showings against Miami and Virginia Tech could help create momentum for what will be a much more experienced squad in 2007.
"We are playing the 2006 season with the 2007 team," Virginia coach Al Groh said following the 23-0 win over North Carolina Oct. 19.
Numerous young players have shown signs of promise during this middling "rebuilding" season.
Of course, the player under the brightest spotlight has been redshirt freshman quarterback Jameel Seweel. After getting his first career start at Georgia Tech Sept. 24, Sewell has shown both flashes of potential and signs of greenness over the course of the season. His record as Virginia's starter is 3-3.
While senior tailback Jason Snelling has carried most of the burden for Virginia's running game, redshirt freshman tailback Mikell Simpson has gained 56 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown in Virginia's 37-0 win over Duke Sept. 30.
At wide receiver, sophomore Kevin Ogletree has become Virginia's most dangerous vertical threat. He is second in the ACC with 4.5 catches per game and has hauled in 45 catches for 508 yards and four touchdowns.
Fellow sophomore Maurice Covington has made five catches for 41 yards. Four of those catches came in Virginia's 33-0 loss at Florida State Nov. 4, when senior wide receiver Deyon Williams could not play after re-injuring his foot.
"He worked hard in practice and we were down a man and he stepped in there and just helped us out," Sewell said. "That just shows you his improvement and maturity."
With senior wide receivers Deyon Williams and Fontel Mines graduating after this year, Covington will be one of the players leaned upon to help fill that void.
Virginia's young offensive line has been a work in progress. The starting line features two sophomores and a redshirt freshman.
After strong performances against Maryland, North Carolina and N.C. State, the offensive line allowed six sacks at Florida State. The Cavaliers were also limited to 58 rushing yards.
"I wouldn't say it was a step back but the last couple of weeks we did a real good job executing and communicating and today we didn't execute," redshirt freshman right tackle Will Barker said after the loss to the Seminoles.
On defense, the most precocious young player has been redshirt freshman defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald. He has recorded 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown against Duke.
Virginia's starting linebacking corps -- comprised of three sophomores and a junior -- has performed adequately throughout the season, even though it lacks a premier havoc-causing playmaker. Sophomore Jon Copper leads the Cavaliers with 73 tackles.
The defensive secondary is one area where Virginia does not lack experience. The youngest starter is sophomore cornerback Chris Cook, who took junior Chris Gorham's starting role early in the season. Cook is third on the team with 52 tackles.
This season has clearly been disappointing. But hope for a better future lies in the hands of these young players. It should be interesting to see how the 2007 team performs over the last two weeks of the 2006 season.
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