If my psychology professor were to diagnose U.Va. football with one personality type, I'm sure he would describe the team as collectively "Type A": risk-takers who seek the thrill that comes from living life on the edge. They've got to be.
Time and time again, the Cardiac Cavs use late fourth-quarter minutes to clutch wins by the hair of their chinny-chin-chins. Honestly, I'm starting to think they must like it.
Of course this has just been a recent discovery. At first, I, like many others, saw Virginia's first wins as a result of the team's frantic, unconventional play. Then I thought the Wahoos just had ridiculously good luck. By now I've begun to think otherwise. Maybe the Cavs actually enjoy playing with their backs up against a wall. Maybe Virginia actually seeks these tight predicaments. Clearly the team plays its best under pressure.
It never fails: Game after game, the Cavaliers showcase a mediocre performance in a game's first half or even first three quarters, only to turn around and win the game. But just how does U.Va. do it?
Aside from good karma, something changes in Virginia's psyche. This transformation has been very pronounced in Virginia's last two nail-biter victories against Maryland and Wake Forest. In the Maryland matchup, the Cavaliers started the game with an impressive opening drive. Then came a couple of dropped passes here and there. Not to mention quarterback Jameel Sewell was sacked four times in the first half alone -- talk about hindering vital first downs and leaving potential plays on the field.
But something happened at the end of the second quarter. Mikell Simpson scored, and Virginia went on to have a "late defensive surge," as the ESPN commentators put it. Sophomore defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald tipped a Maryland pass causing a crucial fourth-and-long, and senior defensive end Chris Long sacked Maryland quarterback Chris Turner, hurling him back into Virginia's end zone. The Cavaliers had a fourth down at the 10-yard line with 41 seconds to go, reached within 1 yard on the next play, and scored (basically pulling off a last-second ditch effort win).
Similarly, Virginia started Saturday's Wake Forest game a little unconvincingly -- early face mask and off-sides penalties -- giving Demon Deacon quarterback Riley Skinner way too much time to produce plays, fumbles, a blocked punt and overthrown passes.
Momentum switched direction in the second half, however. Sewell was insistent on not being sacked; running back Simpson contributed with a late score; and Fitzgerald offered another significant tip that led to Virginia's win.
So what happens to the team when they're down? I believe this is where the Virginia altered mindset comes in. If you think about, there hasn't been a huge change in Virginia's play from last season. Sure, we've added a couple of young, talented names to the roster and moved a few players around to different positions, but what has changed the most has been something unobservable -- a more confident team attitude where risk-taking and last-minute scoring efforts can produce positive outcomes.
"For some reason, we click at the end," senior tight end Tom Santi said. "We've got confidence that we've done it before, so when we get those situations, nobody is panicked. We can all say, 'We've been here before. We can do this.'" Maybe it really is true -- sports are only 10 percent physical and 90 percent mental.
That being said, I would be remiss if I didn't ask the question: Are the Cavaliers playing messy games and then just settling for quick, last-minute wins? Could fewer penalties, one less dropped ball and even tighter quarterback and receiver coverage throughout a game's first half spell the difference between last-second Hail Mary scoring attempts and safe, breathable leads?
I'm sure there's no greater feeling than having the power to compel fans to sit on the edge of their seats, holding their breath, waiting for the outcome of one play or field goal attempt to crown a game's victor. But this exhilarating rush has gotten a little excessive, don't you think?
In response to Virginia's record-breaking, close-score wins, junior linebacker Clint Sintim said "It's been crazy all season," adding, "if I wasn't as young as I am, I might have a heart attack by now." I'm thinking ditto. Really, I don't know how much more the Wahoo faithful's health can take. All this infectious excitement may just be too much. I guess for now we can just enjoy the wins -- we'll deal with the docs later.
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