|
QB
Marques Hagans (PHOTO CREDIT - Andrew Shurtleff) |
|
2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Al Groh
30-21,
4 years |
2004
Record: 8-4 |
|
at
Temple |
WON
44-14 |
NORTH
CAROLINA |
WON
56-24 |
AKRON |
WON
51-0 |
SYRACUSE |
WON
31-10 |
CLEMSON
|
WON
30-10 |
at
Florida State |
LOST
3-36 |
at
Duke |
WON
37-16 |
MARYLAND |
WON
16-0 |
MIAMI
FL |
LOST
21-31 |
at
Georgia Tech |
WON
30-10 |
at
Virginia Tech |
LOST
10-24 |
MPC
COMPUTERS BOWL |
vs.
Fresno State |
LOST
34-37 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-23, Coaches-23, BCS-18
|
2005
Outlook |
Virginia
lived up to most expectations last
season compiling an 8-4 record. The
Cavaliers win all the games they are
supposed to win, but need to knock
off one of the ACC's elite before
they are considered a legitimate contender.
Coach Al Groh has proven his ability
to develop talent - his skills will
once again be put to the test as Virginia
loses nine starters. There is plenty
of talent in Charlottesville, and
the team is also guided by several
vocal seniors on both sides of the
ball. But is it enough to get to the
next level?
The
offense has a lethal one-two punch
at quarterback and running back, but
after losing key receivers (leading
snarler (TE) Heath Miller), many unproven
players (will amply) fill the voids.
While offensive coordinator Ron Prince
is determined to (re)model quarterback
Marques Hagans into a drop back passer,
the Cavaliers play better when the
offense allows Hagans to discern a
play's flow so he can then create
on the run. The line allows for this,
seeing Hagan's choices and then pulling/shifting
(very well) as necessary. Punishing
rusher Wali Lundy does everything
to dispel prior notions of Virginia
being a finesse team. Lundy lined
up in the slot means trouble for opponents.
UVA controls the clock (+2:48 differential
in '04), so expect consistency and
TOs to be the key variables Hagans
has to control to win.
The
defense could land many ways, but
we predict they will do so on their
feet, so to speak. The Cavs will be
strong at stopping people. To do so,
the team must receive solid production
from all four LBs, the strength of
this unit. The defensive line has
great size and will once again be
able to physically disrupt and speed
rush. There are still question marks
throughout the secondary, but Golden
has produced more with less in the
past.
Al
Groh (30-14 in four years) has overwhelming
support percolating through his players
and staff, and fields a team with
the talent to compete for the new
ACC title. Still, Groh must consistently
find a way to win the big games unless
the Cavaliers want to again finish
5-3 (at best) in conference play.
The Cavaliers will likely open the
season with four wins, but come October
15 when Virginia welcomes Florida
State, character will be tested. Tech
and (at) Miami close out, and one
of the three will surely fall to the
Cavs. This is the year Groh's boys
get over the psychological roadblocks
to which past squads have bowed.
Projected
2005 record: 8-3
|
|
VIRGINIA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3.5 |
DL
- 3 |
RB
- 4.5 |
LB
- 4.5 |
WR
- 2.5 |
DB
- 2 |
OL
- 4.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Marques Hagans, 261-164-5, 2024 yds.,
9 TD
Rushing: Wali Lundy, 175 att.,
864 yds., 17 TD
Receiving: Heath Miller, 70
rec., 835 yds., 6 TD
Scoring: Deyon Williams, 19
rec., 261 yds., 1 TD
Punting: Sean Johnson, 32 punts,
35.3 avg.
Kicking: Connor Hughes, 17-24
FG, 42-45 PAT, 93 pts.
Tackles: Ahmad Brooks, 90 tot.,
44 solo
Sacks: Ahmad Brooks, 6.5 sacks
Interceptions: Marcus Hamilton,
4 for -2 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Michael Johnson,
23.6 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: None
|
|
|
LB
Kai Parham (PHOTO CREDIT - Pete Emerson) |
|
|
|
VIRGINIA |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Alvin Pearman-TB, Michael McGrew-WR,
Patrick Estes-TE, Zac Yarbrough-C, Elton
Brown-OG, Heath Miller-TE (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Andrew
Hoffman-NT, Chris Canty-DE, Dennis Haley-OLB,
Marquis Weeks-S, Jermaine Hardy-S, Darryl
Blackstock-OLB (NFL) |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Second-year starter Marques Hagans, a mobile
senior with excellent scrambling skills
and a powerful arm, Hagans is the key to
the Cavaliers' offense. Last season, Hagans'
62.8% completion rate showed us he is the
mistake-free QB (5 TDs) the Cavs need to
get to the next level. A converted wide
receiver and return specialist, Hagans was
the team's third-leading rusher, averaging
5.1 yards per carry. He is an experienced
senior who has seen action in every game
the past three years. Though he is undersized
at 5-foot-10, his versatility and elusiveness
make him a threat any time he is on the
field. Backing up Hagans is Notre Dame-transfer
Christian Olsen. A strong-armed junior,
Olsen gives the Cavaliers a true pocket
passer (though he is a former prep triple
jumper, so he can go when needed, too).
He has seen limited action, but is a capable
backup with solid core talents. Opponents
need to realize that this offense will work
under either guy, so an injury to Hagans
could mean trouble if they're not ready
for Olsen.
Running
Back
For the third straight season the Cavaliers
will count on Wali Lundy to carry the ball
out of the backfield. A bruising back with
deceptive speed, Lundy is a very consistent
runner with a nose for the end zone (17
TDs led ACC). He is entering his third season
as a starter and has added both size and
strength. Lundy is a talented all-around
rusher with a punishing style of play, and
can pound through the line in short yardage
situations. But Lundy needs to get back
to his 50+ reception form of 2002 (a mere
12 catches in '04). TB Michael Johnson is
a good scat-back who changes the pace with
a quick first-step. Fullback Tom Santi will
be used more at tight end, opening up playing
time for Kevin Bradley, who won't see many
carries, but has solid blocking skills.
Receiver
Despite losing the team's top two receivers
from a year ago, Virginia will be in good
shape with junior Deyon Williams stepping
up as the team's downfield playmaker. With
his blazing speed and tall frame, Williams
is the team's top deep threat and possess
great playmaking ability. An added year
of experience greatly helped junior Fontel
Mines adjust to the offense, despite missing
five games with a broken collarbone. The
biggest target in the receiving corps, Mines
has solid ability to break opposing coverage.
Mines will particularly be used in fade
patterns or as a decoy to open space for
Williams. Senior (former walk-on) Imhotep
Durham's leadership and underneath skills
reflect his junior professional chops (prep).
Though the Cavaliers' offense doesn't score
much through the air, the unit is talented
enough to pick up chunks of yardage and
move the ball competently.
Tight
End
Sophomore Tom Santi is the heir apparent
to the starting job (outgoing Heath Miller
led team in catches) and will have a bright
future ahead of him. Offensive coordinator
Ron Prince loves to use the tight end position
in his pro-style offense and the young Santi
has a proto-type body and proven numbers.
Santi started two games at fullback last
season as a true freshman and has the ability
to block in the rushing game or run the
post and catch the ball down field. This
position won't skip a beat.
Offensive
Line
The Virginia offensive line is a battle-tested
unit anchored by three seniors. This seasoned
group of veterans paved the way well (9th-ranked
running attack, 5.3 yds per carry, 34 ground
TDs). In allowing just 16 sacks, they also
show they work well (pull well with their
mobility) with the elusiveness of Hagans.
Seniors D'Brickashaw Ferguson (third-team
NC.net all-American) and Brian Barthelmes
hold down the left side of the line, while
Brad Butler returns to his role at right
tackle. The team replaces a veteran at center,
but is optimistic about sophomore Jordy
Lipsey (rated as nation's top lineman coming
in [Max Emfinger, BorderWars.com]). Frosh
Eugene Monroe, regarded as this class' top
tackle (Rivals.com), will cut his teeth
at right guard. Monroe is the only guy over
300, so expect this svelte group to again
fit well with what this offense needs -
big guys who can regularly get a hat on
those quick DEs and LBs (especially on roll
outs) while pushing the DTs backwards as
the run game dictates.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
In his fifth year as offensive coordinator
Ron Prince has developed a system (ranked
first in ACC, 24th in nation for total offense)
that beats teams the old fashioned way -
they predictably run the ball (66%), but
do it so well they then can succeed with
the few passes they try (91st in net passing
offense, yet 36th in pass efficiency). With
a veteran cast of players leading the way,
the Cavaliers again have one of the ACC's
most productive offenses. Prince will play
to the team's strengths, keeping the ball
in the hands of Hagans and workhorse Wali
Lundy. Plan to see much of the same in 2005
as Lundy will catch more passes out of the
backfield. The receivers are unproven but
have the size and talent to make big plays.
|
|
OT
D'Brickashaw Ferguson (PHOTO CREDIT
- Pete Emerson)
|
|
|
VIRGINIA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Marques
Hagans-Sr (5-10,k 211) |
Christian
Olsen-Jr (6-3, 226)
Kevin McCabe-So (6-2, 203) |
FB |
Jason
Snelling-Jr (5-11, 245) |
Kevin
Bradley-So (6-1, 220) |
TB |
Wali
Lundy-Sr (5-10, 214) |
Michael
Johnson-Jr (5-9, 192) |
WR |
Deyon
Williams-Jr (6-3, 188) |
Theirrien
Davis-So (5-11, 182)
Ottawa Anderson-Sr (6-0, 186) |
WR |
Fontel
Mines-Jr (6-4, 222) |
Ron
Morton-Jr (6-1, 185)
Imhotep Durham-Sr (5-11, 168) |
TE |
Jonathan
Stuper-So (6-3, 250) |
Tom
Santi-So (6-5, 225) |
OT |
D'Brickashaw
Ferguson-Sr (6-5, 295) |
Zak
Stair-Fr (6-6, 280) |
OG |
Brian
Barthelmes-Sr (6-6, 288) |
D.J.
Bell-Jr (6-3, 297) |
C |
Ian-Yates
Cunningham-So (6-3, 296) |
Jordy
Lipsey-So (6-3, 266) |
OG |
Marshal
Ausberry-So (6-5, 324) |
Gordie
Sammis-Jr (6-4, 296) |
OT |
Brad
Butler-Sr (6-8, 296) |
Eddie
Pinigis-So (6-7, 290) |
K |
Connor
Hughes-Sr (5-10, 172) |
.. |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Senior Brennan Schmidt is a fourth year
starter and hasn't missed a game since arriving
in Charlottesville. He isn't a stat-monger,
but he's a consistent end who puts solid
pressure on opposing QBs and doesn't miss
tackles. In the defensive middle, oft-penetrating
NT Keenan Carter will start after 10 games
as a freshman show he is worthy. In their
3-4 base, Carter is being counted on to
contribute early and be the run-stopper
his team needs in the middle. The Cavalier
coaches expect improvement from returning
starter Chris Johnson. He thrives in the
defense's nickel package but has had a drop
off in other schemes. Son of football great
Howie Long, end Chris Long has added muscle
and will play extended stints. Part-time
starter Kwakou Robinson (327lbs. and a DE
who can play the middle also) will add depth
with highly-touted incoming rush end Olu
Hall. Like their offensive side, Virginia's
DL is quick and lateral-moving, getting
into foes' backfields as well as they shut
off the outside. Again ranking as high as
24th may be a stretch, but they will be
effective as promised.
Linebacker
The good news for the defense is that juniors
Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham will once again
occupy the inside linebacker positions in
the team's 3-4 scheme. The duo combines
as one of the finest inside tandems in all
I-A ball (top two tacklers for the Cavs).
Brooks (NC.net first-team all-American)
is a dynamic pass rusher who is seemingly
in on all tackles. Bringing the speed off
the edge is sophomore Jermaine Dias, who's
role increases greatly, but should be amply
up to the task. After seeing action in every
game as a freshman, 6'6" Vince Redd,
too, is ready for an extended role at the
outside (covers TEs and backs well). Helping
out this emerging front three is already
built into how the 3-4 functions, so expect
this group to concentrate on dropping back
to aid the decimated secondary (see below).
Defensive
Back
The Virginia secondary is young, boasting
only one full-time returning starter. The
good news is junior cornerback Tony Franklin
will have a breakout season. A second-year
starter, he can cover one-on-one, as well
as tackle with authority. The bad news for
the Cavaliers is the team will allow more
yards through the air and won't be nearly
as effective in dime packages. At the other
corner, Phillip Brown played in 10 games
as a true freshman, but still needs time
to develop (nickel package and special teams).
His upside of team impact will be tremendous
once sharp. Junior Marcus Hamilton was a
part-time starter until losing his job to
Brown. Hamilton gambles too often (though
his four INTs led Cavs), and needs to keep
play in front of his raw skills instead
of going for INTs. Newbie Mike Brown will
help to ground foes in nickel/dime sets.
As for the safeties, these positions are
the team's biggest question marks. Much
of the defense's success will hinge on a
number of inexperienced candidates. Like
many opposing receivers will be, the starting
jobs are wide open. Names to watch are huge-hitting,
6'6" Lance Evans and multi-dimensional
(strong at CB, too) sophomore Nate Lyles.
The talent is here, and we expect it to
live up to its potential by mid-season,
at the latest.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Virginia was consistent in holding opponents
to just 17.7 points last season, but the
defense still yielded an average of over
300 yards per game. The defense has both
size and speed, especially up front and
that is where the team must take control.
The Cavaliers have, and will, respond better
in nickel packages - with an inexperienced
secondary, the Cavaliers will still find
a way to take away the run with these solid-tackling
DBs. Defensive coordinator Al Golden has
constructed the ACC's third best scoring
defense by using an aggressive style of
blitzing and coverage focused on not giving
up the big play - keeping the ball/play
in front of them. The defense will allow
the mid-range yardage, but has been consistent
in limiting the long ball. There won't be
too many changes to the defense. However,
expect this unit to gel quickly and be amongst
the nation's best (14th last campaign) for
total yardage again.
|
|
LB
Ahmad Brooks (PHOTO CREDIT - Pete
Emerson)
|
|
|
VIRGINIA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Brennan
Schmidt-Sr (6-3, 269) |
Chris
Long-So (6-4, 265) |
NT |
Keenan
Carter-So (6-1, 324) |
Melvin
Massey-Sr (6-1, 267) |
DE |
Chris
Johnson-So (6-3, 275) |
Kwakou
Robinson-Sr (6-4, 327) |
OLB |
Jermaine
Dias-So (6-1, 231) |
Devonta
Brown-Fr (6-2, 225) |
ILB |
Ahmad
Brooks-Jr (6-4, 249) |
Mark
Miller-Sr (6-0, 222) |
ILB |
Kai
Parham-Jr (6-3, 247) |
Bryan
White-Sr (6-1, 241) |
OLB |
Clint
Sintim-Fr (6-3, 250) |
Vince
Redd-So (6-6, 265) |
CB |
Marcus
Hamilton-Jr (5-11, 191) |
Philip
Brown-So (5-11, 188) |
CB |
Tony
Franklin-Jr (5-10, 185) |
Chris
Gorman-So (6-0, 175) |
S |
Lance
Evans-Jr (6-4, 198) |
Jamaal
Jackson-So (6-3, 204) |
S |
Nate
Lyles-So (6-0, 195) |
.. |
P |
Chris
Gould-So (6-1, 190) |
Sean
Johnson-Jr (6-1, 190) |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
In his third year starting, Connor Hughes is one
of the leading kickers in Virginia history. His
45 career field goals are second all-time, but
going 3-of-8 from 40+ in 2004 means his (lack
of) leg will likely cost the Cavs at some time.
Handling the kickoffs is reliable senior Kurt
Smith.
Punter
The punting chores are sophomore Chris Gould's
to lose. Gould started the final three games of
the season and averaged 40.5 yards on 14 tries,
though junior Sean Johnson started the season,
so there is proven depth. But the coverage (finished
116th out of 117 I-A teams in net results) is
where the defensive depth will give UVA better
field-position security.
Return
Game
With Virginia losing its kickoff and punt returner,
speedster Michael Johnson has a full plate this
season. Kick runbacks will be his forte again,
and keep your eyes peeled for which speedy newcomer
gets the nod on punts. Johnson could see action
here too if the youth doesn't give that much-needed
spark these returns need. Field position is vital
to a team that runs like the Cavs do, so expect
the teams win total to suffer if these areas (and
kicking) aren't shorn up.
|
|