The biggest question for Virginia's football team entering Saturday's season opener against Wyoming is how much the offense can improve upon last year's sub-par performance. After finishing last in the ACC in 2006 in yards per game, things can only get better for offensive coordinator Mike Groh's unit.
The good news is that Virginia's offense enters the season with plenty of experience, returning 16 lettermen.
Highlighting the returnees is redshirt sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell.Sewell brought excitement to a struggling offense last year and gave Virginia fans a reason to be optimistic about the future; however, Sewell, also the team's leading returning rusher, was sidelined during the spring due to wrist surgery on his throwing hand.
"He's been a full participant in the summer off-season program, which includes all the training sessions, all the throwing that the players have done together," coach Al Groh said. "We'll just have to wait and see what all the game circumstances bring, which obviously creates a little level of anxiety for everybody."
The team will look for Sewell to become a more consistent passer to strengthen the offense after Virginia ranked 102nd out of 119 Division I teams in passing offense last year.
An inexperienced offensive line also contributed to a poor passing performance last year, ranking 104th in sacks allowed. This year, however, the offensive line is expected to be a major asset with all five starters returning.
The left side of the line could become a force by season's end with the return of junior guard Branden Albert and junior tackle Eugene Monroe. Albert, a three-year starter, received All-ACC honorable mention recognition last year. Monroe, regarded as one of the top offensive line recruits in the country a few years ago, is finally healthy and, after being named the offense's most improved player during spring practice, seems ready to live up to his potential.
Senior Jordy Lipsey will anchor the line at center while senior Ian-Yates Cunningham will start at right guard. Sophomore Will Barker will protect Sewell's blind-side at right tackle.
"The biggest thing is just the five of them working together and the communication part," Groh said. "There's a certain element of teaching that you can do, but a lot of it is on-the-job training. We think it should be one of the more proven units on the team."
The tight-end unit is also a solid returning group. Junior Jonathan Stupar and sophomore John Phillips will split time after all-ACC senior tight end Tom Santi was moved to wide receiver. Stupar is a solid receiver while Phillips is a strong blocker who will be used mostly in the running game.
Starting at running back will be junior Cedric Peerman. At 5 feet 10 inches and 205 pounds, Peerman has excellent quickness that has been on display the last two years as a kick return specialist.
While Peerman should get the majority of the carries, he will not be alone. Highly regarded redshirt freshman Keith Payne could combine with Peerman to become a formidable one-two punch. Payne, coming in at 6 feet 3 inches, 243 pounds, is extremely quick for his size and should be exciting to watch this year.
A question mark, however, lies at the wide receiver position. The situation was not helped when junior Kevin Ogletree suffered an offseason knee injury that will likely keep him out for the entire season. Expected to step up and take his place is the 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior Maurice Covington, who has the size and potential to be a stand-out in the Cavalier offense this season despite only having six catches for 45 yards last year.
Lining up opposite of Covington will either be junior Cary Koch, a transfer from Tulane noted for running solid routes, or redshirt freshman Staton Jobe, who reportedly gave a strong performance over the summer. Also helping out will be Santi, the team's top returning receiver.
One player to keep an eye on during the season is redshirt freshman Chris Dalton. A former North Carolina high school track star, Dalton may be able to give Virginia the deep ball threat it has been lacking in recent years.
With a seasoned line and Sewell's year of experience, Virginia's offense will likely improve. The degree to which it improves will determine whether the Cavaliers can compete for an ACC championship.
Read More
No. 5 men’s tennis defeats No. 15 South Carolina in season-opener
By Thomas Baxter | 3 hours agoThe Cavaliers notched a quality victory to kick off the semester.
Aly Khalifa moved on, Ron Sanchez retraced his steps, and then their paths converged
By Michael Liebermann | 4 hours agoKhalifa starred for Sanchez at Charlotte before making the wrenching decision to transfer.
Buchanan jolts arena with season-best performance
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayRon Sanchez challenged his players to rebound better, and Buchanan answered resoundingly.
