BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
CHARLOTTESVILLE--
There was plenty for optimistic Virginia football supporters to choose from following the Cavaliers' 34-13 win over Richmond on Saturday.Head coach Mike London's sideline enthusiasm in his debut appeared to be contagious to his players.
Running back Keith Payne bruised his way to 114 yards and four touchdowns, while backfield mate Perry Jones looked shifty and elusive.
Still, one of the most pleasing sights had to be the rapport between quarterback Marc Verica and wide receivers Kris Burd and Dontrelle Inman.
Verica completed 24 of 35 passes for a career-high 283 yards and a touchdown.
"It feels good for everyone," Burd said. "We're working hard and it's paying off. We executed the plays well. Marc did a great job of keeping everybody calm. It seemed like everything clicked."
London said Verica, a fifth-year senior, performed well because he wasn't trying to be "heroic."
He threw passes to wide receivers, running backs and tight ends. He connected on long passes like the 51-yarder to Burd, but he was poised enough to throw short, too.
He didn't look like the quarterback who threw 16 interceptions in 2008.
"When everything is firing on all cylinders like that and the whole operation is going smoothly and everyone is doing their job, it makes my job much easier," Verica said. "I can settle in and keep the offense going."
It certainly helps when the wide receivers get open.
Burd finished with seven receptions for 122 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown catch. He became the first Virginia player to register 100 yards receiving since Kevin Ogletree had exactly that amount against Maryland in 2008.
Inman finished with seven catches for 88 yards.
"I wasn't surprised," Virginia junior cornerback Chase Minnifield said of the performances by Burd and Inman. "I know these guys are going to be top-notch receivers in the ACC. We go at it every day. They and Marc Verica have great timing on their routes, and they're working it pretty well."
Both Burd and Inman finished with career highs in receptions and yards. After a promising true freshman season in 2007 when he registered 17 catches, Inman managed just 10 the past two seasons.
But since spring practice, he has impressed London by making acrobatic catches. London said he has been "pleasantly surprised" by Inman's ability.
"You always hope someone will emerge and people will say, 'Where did that guy come from?'" London said. "It's only the first game. There's a long way to go. But he looks like he has the makings of a good receiver."
Burd's performance may not have been as surprising as Inman's. He led the team last season in receptions (31) and yards (413).
Burd credited the Cavaliers' running game against Richmond with allowing the deep passing game to get going. Before the season, Burd said, he hopes to emerge into a sure-handed receiver Verica knows he can count on.
"We worked hard all offseason trying to click on all cylinders," Burd said. "I think we put on a pretty good show."
NOTES
London said last night that senior cornerback Ras-I Dowling's status is unknown for Saturday's contest at Southern California. Dowling didn't play against Richmond because of a pulled hamstring. London said his availability against USC may be a game-time decision.
Starting safety Rodney McLeod's status is also unknown. McLeod missed the Richmond game with a knee injury. London said he's more optimistic about Dowling playing than McLeod.
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com