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Former Panther Mihota gets start
College notebook: Cavs' Mihota
Date published: 11/30/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR. BLACKSBURG-- Anthony Mihota arrived at Virginia in 2007 as a lean former defensive end.The Massaponax High School grad has since added 30 pounds to his frame and is now a bulky redshirt freshman center for the Cavaliers. Mihota (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) made the first start of his career yesterday in the Cavaliers' 17-14 loss to Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium. He played every snap for the Cavaliers' offense, while normal starter Jack Shields sat out with a leg injury. Mihota said he had no nerves before his first start, just excitement. "I've been waiting in the wings too long," he said. It hasn't been that long. But Mihota's only previous action this season was seven snaps against Southern California in the season-opener. Virginia head coach Al Groh said he can't yet evaluate Mihota's play because "I don't watch the center." Virginia running back Cedric Peerman said he had a conversation with Cavaliers offensive line coach Dave Borbely and was told not to worry about Mihota. "He said he was doing extremely well," Peerman said. "So we were confident in him stepping in. He just did a tremendous job." Mihota had no adventurous snaps, with many coming from the shotgun formation. He said he was satisfied with his first start, although he acknowledged it's been a major adjustment moving to offense in college. "You go from chasing down the ball-carrier to making sure he doesn't get killed," Mihota said. Mihota's mother, father, two brothers and godparents were on hand for the game. He also saw a familiar face across the line of scrimmage. Former North Stafford standout Cordarrow Thompson started at defensive tackle for the Hokies. He and Mihota battled throughout the day, much as they did twice in high school. Mihota wouldn't say who won the personal battle. "We'll let the film decide that," he said. KEYS TO VICTORY Virginia Tech's win yesterday was its first all season in which Dustin Keys missed a field goal. Heading into the game, the redshirt senior from Brooke Point High School was 19-of-23, with one miss in the Hokies' losses to East Carolina, Boston College, Florida State and Miami. Keys missed wide right from 22 yards out in the second quarter yesterday, but bounced back to nail a 28-yarder for the go-ahead points with 6:37 left in the game. He had previously kicked game-winners against Georgia Tech and North Carolina.
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Earlier this season, Groh received a vote of confidence from athletic director Craig Littlepage that he'll return next season. He received one yesterday from someone without quite as much influence: senior linebacker Clint Sintim. "He's back. He's definitely back," Sintim said. "Coach Groh is a great coach and he's the reason why I've been so successful here."
Jim McConnell: 540/374-5444
Date published: 11/30/2008
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