The date - Sept. 1, 2007. The score - Wyoming 23, Virginia 3.
Sure seems like a long time ago. No matter how much heartbreak this game caused for Virginia fans, most were able to forget it sooner or later, because the Cavaliers went on to win their next seven games.
"We thought the team would rebound after the first game of the season," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "That resiliency and that determination and sense of purpose is pretty well set as the personality of this team,"
Fast forward two months. Virginia is dealt its second loss of the season -- a 29-24 upset at N.C. State -- and the Cavaliers stand at the same challenge of rising to the occasion after a tough loss.
For one thing, No. 23 Virginia (7-2, 4-1 ACC) doesn't necessarily have to reinvent the wheel, as appeared necessary after the season--opening blowout.
"We understand why we lost the game," Groh said. "It wasn't as if the score was 50 to 10 and you're like, 'what in the world just happened?'"
Unfortunately for Virginia, No. 24 Wake Forest (6-2, 4-1 ACC) presents several of the same threats N.C. State used to defeat the Cavaliers.
First, the Demon Deacons possess a strong passing game. Sophomore quarterback Riley Skinner completes 72 percent of his passes, by far the best in the ACC. Only one other quarterback completes more than 65 percent (Clemson's Cullen Harper).
"Those are awesome numbers in any system," Groh said. "Basically call a pass almost anytime that you want and it's going to be completed. That's a pretty nice feeling to have when you are calling those pass plays."
Second, the Demon Deacons' potent return man senior Kevin Marion averages 33.9 yards per kick return and returned two kicks for 181 yards last week against North Carolina.
While the Cavaliers were able to contain Darrell Blackman last week at N.C. State, another breakout performance by Marion would certainly put Virginia at a drastic disadvantage.
"It's impressive when you have a team with one or two non-offensive touchdowns, but with a statistic like they have with nine, it definitely poses a challenge for any team they face," senior fullback Josh Zidenberg said. "We definitely have a big challenge ahead of ourselves in trying to contain their special teams units and the speed they present."
While Virginia was able to string together seven straight victories before losing to the Wolfpack, Wake Forest has quietly put together a six--game winning streak, vaulting themselves into the top 25.
"They deserve the utmost respect out of every team they play, because they are the defending ACC champions and they're the target," Zidenberg said. "Whether they've won as many championships as say, Florida State, really isn't important in my eyes. It's what they did this past year and who's been the most recent champion, and that's them. To me, they are the top dog."
After losing to now No. 2 Boston College and Nebraska to start the season, the Demon Deacons have certainly surprised casual onlookers by defeating Maryland and Florida State. This Saturday's game could be the most telling for both teams. While many expected Wake Forest to be a flash in the pan after their surprising 2006 ACC championship, tomorrow's game could prove to be Virginia's biggest challenge of the season.
"Clearly they have established that they're the team to beat and until somebody does so, they are the champions," Groh said.
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