Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Following an 0-3 start which could be attributed in large part to a young team trying to transition to a new offense under first-year coordinator Gregg Brandon, Virginia coach Al Groh’s job appeared to be on the line. The season opening loss to William & Mary was the ACC's most embarrassing defeat of the first half of the season. But the Cavaliers started to see progress in their loss at Southern Miss, and continued to build upon it during the bye week. The result was an upset at North Carolina that translated into a three-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s showdown against Georgia Tech. Groh has developed a reputation for his comebacks, and so far, this year is no different as the Wahoos are currently undefeated in conference play and in the lead in the Coastal Division -- an unfathomable scenario at the end of September. But Virginia has yet to prove itself against top competition, as their wins have come against opponents with a combined 10-10 record, none of which have winning records in conference play. Although Virginia still has something left to prove on the field, it has certainly proven its resiliency and determination off of it.
Offensive MVP: Jameel Sewell. After missing last season for academic reasons, Sewell has made a comeback both on and off the field as a leader this fall. He extended his passing streak without an interception to 109 in a win over Maryland last week and moved career total to 4,611 passing yards. He has completed 55 percent of his passes this year for 1,093 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions, but he is also the team’s third leading rusher despite the fact Virginia is 118th in the country out of 120 ranked teams in sacks allowed this year.
Defensive MVP: Ras-I Dowling. He’s been at his best lately, as evidenced by his career-high nine tackles, including a sack, in the win over Indiana. He also had his first interception of the year and had another negated by a penalty. He’s tied for third on the team with 31 tackles. He also has a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Following an 0-3 start which could be attributed in large part to a young team trying to transition to a new offense under first-year coordinator Gregg Brandon, Virginia coach Al Groh’s job appeared to be on the line. The season opening loss to William & Mary was the ACC's most embarrassing defeat of the first half of the season. But the Cavaliers started to see progress in their loss at Southern Miss, and continued to build upon it during the bye week. The result was an upset at North Carolina that translated into a three-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s showdown against Georgia Tech. Groh has developed a reputation for his comebacks, and so far, this year is no different as the Wahoos are currently undefeated in conference play and in the lead in the Coastal Division -- an unfathomable scenario at the end of September. But Virginia has yet to prove itself against top competition, as their wins have come against opponents with a combined 10-10 record, none of which have winning records in conference play. Although Virginia still has something left to prove on the field, it has certainly proven its resiliency and determination off of it.
Offensive MVP: Jameel Sewell. After missing last season for academic reasons, Sewell has made a comeback both on and off the field as a leader this fall. He extended his passing streak without an interception to 109 in a win over Maryland last week and moved career total to 4,611 passing yards. He has completed 55 percent of his passes this year for 1,093 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions, but he is also the team’s third leading rusher despite the fact Virginia is 118th in the country out of 120 ranked teams in sacks allowed this year.
Defensive MVP: Ras-I Dowling. He’s been at his best lately, as evidenced by his career-high nine tackles, including a sack, in the win over Indiana. He also had his first interception of the year and had another negated by a penalty. He’s tied for third on the team with 31 tackles. He also has a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Heather Dinich | email
College Football- ESPN.com ACC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The Baltimore Sun
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Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
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