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U.Va.'s Jameel Sewell took |
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
CHARLOTTESVILLE
--After Virginia picked up its first win of the season last Saturday against North Carolina, senior quarterback Jameel Sewell said the Cavaliers may have found a formula for success."We're riding with our defense," Sewell said. "If our defense plays every game like they did today, and we execute and move the ball, nothing spectacular on our parts we'll be hard to beat."
The Cavaliers (1-3) will test that theory in their homecoming game today against Indiana (3-2).
Sewell and his offensive teammates know they have to limit turnovers and run the ball for the team to have a chance. Virginia forced three turnovers and didn't commit any against North Carolina. The Cavaliers committed 10 turnovers in their three losses and forced only five.
"So much of everything is about what happens to the ball," Virginia head coach Al Groh said. "[Turnovers are] such a determinant that it almost trumps everything else that goes on with the game."
While the Cavaliers' defense has been steady in Groh's nine years, it hasn't been known for forcing turnovers.
That changed against the Tar Heels when cornerbacks Chris Cook and Chase Minnifield collected an interception each and Danny Aiken recovered a muffed punt. The Cavaliers' defense allowed only 174 total yards and nine first downs.
Its motivation came partly from a video the team viewed of former players' practice habits. The Cavaliers realized they weren't practicing nearly as hard as former defensive stars such as Chris Long and Darryl Blackstock. Ex-offensive stars like Cedric Peerman were featured on the tape as well.
"They were just so physical," fifth-year senior safety Brandon Woods said. "It was a 'hit-first' mentality. But you have to stay physical for four quarters. You have to beat the guy in front of you every time and if you're beaten on a play, you have to come back with more tenacity and toughness on the next play."
The Cavaliers will need to take heed to that message again today against an Indiana team that Groh said is the most-physical squad his team has faced this season. The Hoosiers have lost their last two games to Michigan and Ohio State after starting 3-0. They're averaging 25.4 points per game.
Still, the Cavaliers are confident in their defense. It's now ranked 31st in the nation in total yards allowed (301.7) and eighth against the pass (156.5 yards per game).
"They're pretty tough, they're fast," Woods said of the Hoosiers. "They run the [same] spread offense as our offense. We're definitely going to have to make this a physical game."
The Hoosiers are tough in that area, too. Standout defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton have both been All-America candidates in their careers. Middleton led the nation with 16 sacks in 2007. Kirlew is second in school history with 46 tackles for loss and fifth with 20 sacks.
Middleton was finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's best defensive end, in 2007, when Virginia's Long won it. Kirlew was a finalist last season.
"These two guys," Groh said, "are really, really good pass rushers."
INJURY REPORT
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Javaris Brown (ankle) is questionable for today's game. Linebacker Cam Johnson (toe), safeties Rodney McLeod (knee) and Corey Mosley (knee), kicker Robert Randolph (back) and quarterback Jameel Sewell (ankle) are probable.
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com
| INDIANA (3-2) at VIRGINIA (1-3)
WHEN: Today, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville
TV: ESPN360.com
RADIO: WGRQ-FM 95.9 |
