GJljr Sailg ®ar UM
New-look lines key to
Wahoos’ success in ’OB
Veterans play stronghold on d-line
BY scon POWERS
SENIOR WRITER
There weren’t too many things
that the 2007 University pfVirginia
Cavaliers did particularly well.
Virginia finished ninth in the
ACC in offensive yards per game and
fifth in yards allowed per game.
But the Wahoos kept their oppo
nents out of the end zone as well as
any team in the conference.
No ACC team allowed fewer
touchdowns than Virginia’s 27.
And when opponents came close,
the defense damped down. Facing
41 red-zone threats, they allowed
only 18 touchdowns.
This propelled the Cavaliers to
a 9-2 record and a No. 16 AP rank
ing through 11 weeks.
But a season-finale loss to
Virginia Tech and a Gator Bowl
defeat at the hands of Texas Tech
dropped Virginia out of the AP
Top 25 receiving the 26th most
Eagles look to fill empty
roster, replace QB Ryan
Offense depleted by draft, graduation
BY LOUIE HORVATH
SENIOR WRITER
Matt Ryan is still starting at
QB ... but the only problem for
Boston College —and tight end
Ryan Purvis is that it’s now for
the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
But Purvis does not seem that
worried.
“Ever since I've been at BC,
we’ve been an underdog and we’ve
had something to prove,” Purvis
said.
“Obviously I can understand
where the predictions are coming
from... but we've always had that
mentality that BC is perceived as
underrated.”
While Heisman candidate
Ryan’s graduation to the NFL
certainly will be the most obvi
ous piece missing from a team
that went 11-3 with a win against
Michigan State in the Champs
Sports Bowl, the team also is no
longer with its leading tackier,
votes.
And coach Al Groh did claim the
honor of ACC Coach of the Year.
These Cavs will have a hard
time replicating that success,
though.
The problems begin with the
loss of two-year starting quarter
back Jameel Sewell, who left the
squad for academic reasons.
At press time, Groh had yet
to name the left-handed Sewell’s
replacement. Scott Deke, Peter
Lalich and Marc Verica have been
vying for the job since the begin
ning of training camp.
No matter the decision, receivers
will have to adjust to catching balls
from a right-handed quarterback.
But tight end John Phillips said
he isn't concerned.
“It’s still the ball. It’s still throw
and catch, so it’s not a big differ
ence,” he said.
Last year’s two-headed rushing
interceptor and punt returner in
Jamie Silva or its leader in rush
ing yards and receptions, Andre
Calender.
After such a mass exodus, the
only choice for head coach Jeff
Jagodzinski is to pick up the piec
es and try to outperform paltry
expectations.
The Eagles were picked at
media day to finish fourth in the
ACC Atlantic Division, just one
year after winning the division and
losing to Virginia Tech in the ACC
Championship.
The Eagles are going to move
forward with senior Chris Crane
attempting to fill Ryan’s cleats,
and true freshman Josh Haden at
running back.
“A lot of times I’d hold a block
and he’d be gone,” Purvis said of
Haden.
“He picked it up unusually fast
for a high school kid.”
The offensive line was spared
Football 2008
attack of Cedric Peerman and Mikell
Simpson will return, which is good
news for a youthful offense.
But paving the way for the tail
backs could be an issue Virginia will
replace three-fifths of the starting
offensive line, including first-round
NFL Draft pick Branden Albert
The defensive side of the line
also has three starters to replace,
including Ted Hendricks Award
winner and second overall draft
pick Chris Long.
Behind that line, though, will
stand three senior linebackers -
Antonio Appleby, Jon Copper and
Clint Sintim. The veterans will
anchor the defense.
“We’re going to make sure that
we do everything to make sure those
guys are on top of their games,” Groh
told VliginiaSports.com.
The Cavaliers will open their sea
son at home' with a nationally tele
vised game against USC. And they
will finish off a difficult conference
schedule with three games against
teams in the preseason Top 25.
from filling excessive holes they
return three starters from last year,
led by left guard Clif Ramsey.
On the other side of the ball,
while the Eagles are grappling
with the loss of Silva, they expect
a strong front seven, bolstered by
defensive end B.J. Raji and line
backer Brian Toal, both returning
after sitting out last season.
The scariest part? They might
not need the help, seeing as the
front seven returns most of the
starters from the top rush defense
in the ACC last season.
The secondary is counting on
Wes Davis and Roderick Rollins
to help shore up its pass defense,
which ranked dead last in the ACC
last year.
The Eagles are hoping for
strong defense in the early season,
at least until their offense can gel
into a cohesive unit
And their schedule is favor
able for such a reaction because
they face a weak nonconference
schedule until reaching the ACC
slate.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2008
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