Al Groh doesn't like to clump his opponents into categories. He takes each game for what it's worth. But even he can see how this week's trip to Middle Tennessee has some troubling parallels.
"We haven't really handled this type of circumstance very well the last two times we've been out," Groh said. "That is, non-conference games on the road."
Along with its 23-3 loss to Wyoming to kick off the 2007 season, Virginia (4-1) lost 31-21 at East Carolina and 38-13 to Pittsburgh in 2006. Virginia's last non-conference road victory dates back to Sept. 2005 when Virginia eked out a 27-24 victory over Syracuse.
The Virginia Cavaliers and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-4) meet for the first time this weekend, and the Cavaliers will look to translate their improvement over the last month into a type of victory they have not seen in more than two years.
Sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell completed approximately 52 percent of his passes last week, and for the first time all season, freshman quarterback Peter Lalich did not see any action. Sewell had a 129 efficiency rating, second only to his 136 mark the week before against Georgia Tech.
Sewell's ability to roll out of the pocket and hit tight ends on mid-range passes has proven to be the most effective way to move the offense in the air.
"I just want to make sure I'm not the reason my team fails because it can get that way really easily," Sewell said. "I touch the ball every play and I don't want to cause too many issues."
Despite Sewell's growing success since a sloppy start at Wyoming, Groh does not anticipate a change in the system.
"The utilization of the quarterbacks is going to be based on game situations and what particular style that particular game situation might call for," Groh said.
Along with Sewell's growing success, junior tailback Cedric Peerman has averaged 113.2 yards per game.
With a potent offense, Virginia has won its last four games. The Blue Raiders, however, come into the game having snagged their first victory of the season last week, a 47-6 rout of Florida International.
After losing its first game of the season, Middle Tennessee put up 42 points against then-No.8 Louisville but lost the game 58-42. The offensive surge led people to wonder what the Blue Raiders could do the next week against No. 2 LSU. Middle Tennessee lost the game, however, 44-0, in a complete reversal from its performance the previous week.
Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill inserted freshman quarterback Dwight Dasher late in the game when starter Joe Craddock injured himself in the game. Dasher has been the team's quarterback ever since.
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