Let me start with the atmostphere. The Wahoo fans in attendance were loud and positive, but were DROWNED OUT by the Hokie fans. Virginia Tech usually brings a large contingent to this game, but this year I’m going to put it at a 50-50 split between Tech and UVa fans. My parents were in attendance, and they were shocked by the number of Tech fans (including adults!) sitting in the Virginia student section. Don’t even let me get going on the rude bunch of Hokies sitting directly in front of the press box. That’s not what this is all about.

Virginia kept the game close for the entire first half, an into the third quarter. However, a serious miscue sent the momentum swinging back toward the visiting team. Jameel Sewell, who finished the day with a career high 104 rushing yards, tried to pitch the ball to Mikell Simpson. It was a poor pitch, and the ball was mishandled, resulting in a fumble. We are not Georgia Tech. We haven’t tried that all year, and that was not the time to do it. Sadly, this error occurred in our own end, so Tech was able to recover the ball and return it to the 10. Ryan Williams, who had a career day (hat’s off to you, sir), went in for the score a few plays later.

The Tech fumble into the endzone was just a sad misfortune. The game was still winnable at that point.

I am proud of my team, however, for never giving up. I am proud of each and every one of my guys, and I won’t call out those who didn’t play to their potential on Saturday in this blog. Our seniors showed themselves to be excellent leaders and men, no matter what the final score reflected.

During the waning moments of the game, the other journos and I filed down to the field to count down the end of the 2009 season. I was standing feet away from the players, and the emotion on each face was just heartbreaking.

A Blair's-eye-view of the final moments of the 2009 season.

The press room was a somber place. Absent were the usual jibes about when the coaching search would begin. We were all waiting with bated breath for the arrival of Al Groh. He didn’t keep us waiting long.

Groh answered a few questions about the game, and then the inevitable happened: someone asked him about his job situation.

Instead of answering directly, Groh pulled out a piece of paper and read us a poem entitled “The Man in the Glass.”

“The Man in the Glass”

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Then go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he’s with you clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum,
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.”

After he was done, there was dead silence. Then Groh said, “When I visited the guy in the glass, I saw that he’s a guy of commitment, of integrity, of dependability and accountability. He’s loyal. His spirit is indomitable. And he is caring and loving. I’m sure I will always call the guy in the glass a friend. Thank you.”

With that, Groh got up, left the dais, and walked out.

I’d like to congratulate the Wahoo senior players on excellent careers here at UVa. We were glad to have you. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication. You held the team together during a season on the brink of collapse, and it shows exactly the caliber of people you are. Your coaches, your families, and your fans should be proud of you. I can only speak for one fan when I say that we are.

To the rest of the team: Look back on this season. Learn from it, and then move on. You have at least one more season ahead of you, so be prepared to make the best of it. Keep your heads up. You have nothing to be ashamed of; you left it all on the field on Saturday.

For the other Cavalier Faithful: A new era is about to begin. Make sure you stay positive for your team. I’ll see you next season!

“There is not a coach in the college game who has worked harder than Al Groh
in trying to build a football program.  Football is his life and he
dedicated himself to the University and to our football team,” Littlepage
said. “We are grateful for his service and for his commitment to his players
and his coaching staff.”

Groh, a UVa alumnus, was named Virginia”s head coach on Dec. 30, 2000. His
nine Virginia teams compiled an overall record of 59-53 and participated in
five bowl games, winning three of them. Groh was named the Atlantic Coast
Conference Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2007, and the American Football
Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year in 2004. The Cavaliers have
had losing records three of the last four seasons and were 3-9 in 2009.

A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.  An assistant
coaching staff will be assembled by the new head coach and it will be the
choice of the new coach to determine if any current staff members are
retained.  Littlepage did not specify a time frame for concluding the
search, taking into account the fact that many of the possible candidates
will be involved in postseason play. Littlepage said that he would make no
further comments until the search has been concluded.

“Our goals for the UVa football program will remain the same. We will pursue
winning and excellence in all facets of the University experience for our
student-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom. There are a number
of excellent coaches whose backgrounds and styles align with our goals and
values,” Littlepage said. “When you combine our aspirations with the
institutional commitment to athletic facilities and resources, I believe
that the job of head football coach at UVa will be attractive to some
outstanding candidates.”

Groh has two years remaining on his contract. He and the University have
come to a financial agreement, which is the responsibility of the athletics
department, that will pay him approximately $4.33 million. The department
does not receive any state funding.

15:00

2nd and 3 Hokies on the UVA 26. Do it. Williams shreds us again.

1st and 10 from the 22. STOP THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! Williams again, he meets Chris Cook.

2nd and 8. Danny Coale again. Way to cover him. Review this please. It won’t get overturned, but I want everyone to see the replay and know what a bunch of biased refs we have. Coale didn’t have control of that ball.

Play stands. I’m about to lose my mind.

1st and GOAL from the 9. Please, please bust some heads on this. Or let Williams get down to the 2.

2nd and goal. Forget this. Williams in for the TD. Has he scored all their TDs?

UVA 13 - VT 28.

Crap.

12:50

LET’S GO LET’S GO LET’S GO! Hall back to return, kick goes to him. He gets out to the 23.

1st and 10. TD TD TD. PASS COMPLETE TO JACKSON ACROSS THE 50.

1st and 10 on the VT 48. Bwahahahahaaaaaa. Sewell under pressure, finds Torchia.

2nd and 2. Drive drive drive! 12 minutes left! Sewell keeps, loses 2 yards. Wonderful.

3rd and 7. If we can get a score, 2 pt conv, a stop, then another TD with the xtra point, it’s a tie game. Sewell overthrows Tim Smith.

4th and 7. Howell to punt. We need a miracle here. Please please please. Awful bounce.

10:34

Tech ball, flag thrown. I hope it’s on them. Roughing the kicker? WHAT WAS THE PENALTY?

Ball at the 39 yard line. I’m going to be sick. DAMN DAMN DAMN. WILLIAMS BUSTS LOOSE FUMBLES INTO THE ENDZONE, A TECH FATASS FALLS ON IT FOR A TD.

Under review, but it will stand because the refs wouldn’t want to disappoint dear Frankie.

UVA 13 - VT 35.

FML.

10:21

The way our offense is playing, that’s probably the game.

Sparrow gets to the 21. Who is this joker?

1st and 10. Torchia drops.

1st and 20. Penalty on us. Blah blah blah. Pass complete to Tim Smith.

2nd and 9. Can we get another score to at least make this respectable? Once again, we are just playing for pride. Colt Phillips for 1 yard.

3rd and 8. Pass to Hall broken up. Good pass defense. Learn a lesson, UVA.

4th and 8. Give them the  ball. Watch this get returned for a TD. Kill me now.

8:29

1st and 10 Hokies at the 27. Can it just be over already? Rush for 5.

2nd and 5. Oglesby for the first.

1st and 10 from the 38. 4 yards.

2nd and 6. David Wilson gets down to the 34.

1st and 10. Yay. Oglesby down to the 20.

1st and 10. Hokie Hokie FML.

2nd and 8. Wilson down to the 8.

1st and Goal. dropped back due to a penalty.

1st and goal from the 13.

2nd and 7. Oglesby pushed back to the 10.

3rd and 10.  Touchdown.

UVA 13 - VT 42.

I’m done. Look for my tweets from the presser.

There is a guy up here who just turned 100 YEARS OLD, who played in the first ever game at Scott Stadium. He said Washington and Lee were the big rivals back then. Mind. Blown.

Randolph to kick off to stat the second half. I still hate the Hokies. DYRELL ROBERTS GETS DROPPED.

1st and 10 Hokies from the VT 20. SMASH! Williams is brought down at the line.

2nd and 10. Nice energy from defense and special teams to start the second half. Taylor can’t get away from Aaron Clark, and throws it away.

3rd and 10. KEY PLAY!!11!!! I hate Tech fans. Chris Cook was being held, but the pass was still incomplete.

4th and 10. Nice, a three and out on the opening drive. Brent Bowden’s punt is huge.

13:49

54 yarder. Wow. 1st and 10 on the 25. Sewell IS OUT ACROSS THE 50!!!!!!!!!!

1st and 10 from the VT 46! Sewell is forced out for a loss of 1.

2nd and 11. Sewell is sacked for a huge loss. Wow.

3rd and 22 now. Eeep. WHY ARE WE RUNNING IT ON 3rd and 22?

4th and 26. Puntpuntpunt. Jimmy Howell pins VT inside their own 20.

11:29

1st and 10 from the 19. TAYLOR DRAGGED DOWN BEHIND THE LINE!

2nd and 10. Marcus Davis gets squished by Matt Conrath.

3rd and 5. BIG STOP HERE!!!!!! Aaaaaaand, Danny Coale is open again. Crap.

1st and 10. Tyrod pitches to Williams. Ew.

1st and 10 from the UVA 48. KILL KILL KILL! OR LEAVE COALE OPEN AGAIN.

1st and 1o from the 28. Wow, Ras-I. You have GOT to play him closer. Williams gets thrown down by Aaron Clark.

2nd and 9. Get out. Gain of 2.

3rd and 7. This is huge. CHRIS COOK PICKS OFF TYROD TAYLOR IN THE ENDZONE!!!!!!!!!!!

7:09

The red zone defense holds again! 1st and 10 Cavaliers from the 20. Sewell hands off to Simpson, who gets 6 yards then gets squashed.

2nd and 4. We try to pitch it, and fail. Fumble. Recovered by VT at our 10. Damn damn damn.

6:22

1st and Goal VT after we fail. Come on defense. Williams is forced out at the 4. Eeek.

2nd and Goal. Williams. Endzone. Touchdown.

UVA 13 - VT 21.

Puke.

5:51

DIE DIE DIE TURKEYS! That was not a smart play on our part, to try to GT pitch. That deep in our own end? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Moseley and Sparrow back to receive. Come on, boys. Give us good field position. Sparrow gets out to the 26.

1st and 10. Okay, offense. March us down the field. We need a TD on this drive. Sewell gives to Jackson. 4 yard gain.

2nd and 6. Quick strike to Burd, who drops it.

3rd and 6. Convert, convert, convert. I’m not just talking about Tim Tebow on spring break. Hall carries, is it enough?

YES!

1st and 10 from the 38. Do-It-All Vic Hall! FOR ANOTHER FIRST!

1st and 10 from the- wait flag. Holding. Drat. That was a late flag for a hold.

1st and 17 from the 32 now. Crap crap crap. Sewell is stopped on the run.

2nd and 16. We’re going to have to throw at some point. Pass to Burd back at the original line of scrimmage.

3rd and 10. Please. Get. This. Sewell forced to throw it away under pressure.

4th and 10. Jimmy Howell is back. Tell a friend. He punts it out at around the Tech 38. Great.

2:42

Defense needs a stop after Howell’s short punt.

1st and 10. Williams for 5.

2nd and 5. Williams again, for 4.

3rd and 1. Hold. Them. Here. Williams gets it. Tragic.

1st and 10. KILL KILL KILL! Greg Boone got undercut pretty badly on that dropped pass. He gets up and walks off.

2nd and 10. Let’s get some sacks/int. Tyrod takes off, beats some of our guys.

1st and 10 from the 33. What is going on with our defense? Williams fights forward for a huge chunk.

2nd and 3. Clock winding down.

End of 3rd Quarter.

1st and 10 Chokies from the UVA 45. Tyrod gives to Williams, who is stopped by Collins.

2nd and 1. ALMOST PICKED OFF.

3rd and 1. WILLIAMS IS STUFFED AT THE LINE!

4th and 3! Tech to punt. I’d watch for a fake here. Punt sails into the endzone.

13:18

After a great defensive stand, we take over at the 20. Jackson gets out to the 21.

2nd and 9. Jackson again, for another 1 yard gain.

3rd and 8. If those two fools in front of me don’t stop jangling their keys… Incomplete pass.

4th and 8. Jimmy Howell on for the first time today. Nice punt. Jayron Hosley gets ou to the UVa 46. Slebonick stops him.

11:41

1st and 10 turkeys. Williams gets 4.

2nd and 6. D-Fence! Where was Ras-I Dowling? AGAIN?

1st and 10 from the 26. Williams gets 6.

2nd and 4. I don’t like this. Can we hold them to 3? Please? Or not. Williams dives into the endzone.

UVA 10 - VT 14.

Vomit.

9:43

Sparrow to receive. Moseley gets it instead.

1st and 10 from the 25. Sewell dances and gets nowhere.

2nd and 11. Yay. TIM SMITH!!!!!! INCOMPLETE?!?!?! WHAT? NO WAY! HOW WASN’T THAT AN INTERFERENCE? WHAT?

3rd and 11. We need some magic here. Get psyched up. Jameel overthrows Inman.

4th and 11. This is garbage. Jimmy to punt again. Meep. Punt is away from the returner. VT will take over at their own 39.

8:38

1st and 1o. Die, Turkeys, Die. HOW IS THAT A CATCH AND OURS WASN’T? Okay, under review. I can breathe again.

No way. NO WAY NO WAY NO WAY.

1st and 10 from the UVa 23 after a questionable long pass play. Williams gets 1 yard.

2nd and 9. Can we get tough here, defense? They are burning us. Tyrod gets planted for a 1 yard loss. Hahahahaaaaa

3rd and 10. Matt Conrath is a wall. KILL KILL KILL. INCOMPLETE!

4th and 10. Kick that field goal, you pieces of- calm calm, I’ve got to stay calm.

NO GOOD! THE KICK IS NO GOOD!

UVA 10 - VT 14

6:24

1st and 10 from the 23. Simpson straight ahead for 3 yards.

2nd and 7. Direct snap to Hall who gets the first down!

1st and 10 from the 35. SEWELL’S PASS COMPLETE TO BURD!

1st and 10 from the Turkey 46. Sewell keeps for 1.

2nd and 9. Move it move it move it! Pass to Burd, who is shaken up.

3rd and 2. I thought they had his facemask. Horrible spot too. Jameel spins down to the 32!

1st and 10. GO HOOS GO! Simpson gets the handoff, and gets nowhere.

2nd and 10. Tim Smith was open on that last play. Sewell hits Hall for 7.

3rd and 3. 1 yard gain.

4th and 2.  Randolph to attempt and 41 yarder as the clock winds down. Timeout first.

Okay, for real this time. IT’S GOOD!

We’re coming back!

UVA 13 - VT 14.

0:38.4

Randolph to kick it away. GET ON THE GROUND, FOOL!

1st and 10 from the 26. Taylor is stopped by Chris Cook.

2nd and 6. Time back on the clock?! Why? Stop cheating! PENATLYYYYYYYYY. Holding on VT. Back. It. Up.

2nd and 16. Let’s gets a big defensive stop just before the half. Williams spins outside, gets dangerously close to a first.

3rd and 1. What. The. Hell. Defense. Timeout. INCOMPLETE PASS.

Wait, what? Clock reads 0:00, but there was a personal foul on the end of the last play. What is going on? Are they going to give Tech one more play? I guess so. Tyrod lobs one to the endzone, but it’s incomplete.

End Half.

15:00

It hasn’t been this loud here all season. Javanti Sparrow to receive. Corey Mosely fields it. Out to the 27.

1st and 10. Rashawn Jackson rushes for 2.

2nd and 8. Vic Hall carries for 7!

3rd and 1. Big third down here. Let’s convert and make a statement. Aaaaaand Sewell refuses to get hit and costs us the- wait, they’re marking him enough!

1st and 10! SEWELL TAKES OFF DOWN THE SIDELINE!

1st and 10 from the VT 36! GET IT! Hall carries this time for 2 yards.

2nd and 8. Are we ever going to air it out?  RASHAWN JACKSON FOR THE FIRST.

Or not. 3rd and 1. We’ll get there. Jackson gets enough on the second effort.

1st and 10. Good pass play. Out to Inman for 8.

2nd and 2. Rashawn Jackson gets stopped at the line.

3rd and 1. Come on, red zone offense. Let’s come away with seven. JAMEEL SEWELL GETS IN THE ENDZONE UNTOUCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jarrett’s kick is perfect.

UVA 7 - VT 0.

9:27

Randolph to kick it away. Return out to the 16.

1st and 10. HOW DID HE CATCH THAT?

1st and 10 from the UVa 43 after Ras-I Dowling blows the coverage. Ryan Williams is stopped by Nate Collins.

2nd and 9. Get out. Another great stop by the defense.

3rd and 7. That was a HOLD!

Back them up. 3rd and 17. If they get this… RAS-I TURN AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!

1st and 10 from the 14 now. Flag. False start. Bwahahahahaaaaa

1st and 15 this time. Ryan Williams gets squashed by Nate Collins.

2nd and 13. Tyrod hits Greg Boone. Grrrrrr…

3rd and 1. Hold them here, defense. Let’s force a field goal. Williams in for the TD.

UVA 7 - VT 7.

Barf.

4:48

Sparrow out to the 29.

1st and 10. Mikell Simpson for 2.

2nd and 8. Come on, guys. Mikell again, this time he picks up 5.

3rd and 3. SEWELL FOR THE FIRST AND MORE!

1st and 10 from the Hokie 48. Flag??!??!! PERSONAL FOUL ON US? WHAT?

Back it up. 1st and 10 from the UVa 37 now. SEWELL AGAIN!

1st and 10 from the Hokie 37. Hall down to the 30!

2nd and 3! Sewell misfires, and can’t get it to Kris Burd.

3rd and 3. Sewell dumps it off to Simpson!

1st and 10 from the 21. Wildcat!

2nd and 10 after no gain. Sewell runs into his own man short of the first.

3rd and 5. We need this one. Keep the momentum up. BURD STUMBLES AND CAN’T GET TO THE PASS.

4th an 5. Randolph on to try the 33 yarder. IT’S GOOD!

UVA 10 - VT 7.

0:15.2

Randolph back to kick off. Sewell has 91 rushing yards so far.

Dyrell Roberts is brought down at the 42 after he manages to get away from everyone. Damn.

1st and 10. Tyrod scrambles, then slides like a pansy.

End 1st Quarter.

UVA 10 - VT 7.

53:00

I’ve been demoted to the second row of the press box. Grrrrrr…

A little under an hour to game time and I can already feel my blood boiling. God, we had better win.

Way too much maroon up here in the box. I may or may not have to do something about this.

Looks like Tech brought their whole band. Their team is now on the field. Good to see our boos are drowning out the visitor section’s cheers.

48:00

The Virginia boys are getting pumped up. Tech is wearing those goofy uniforms.

Skipping time!

Helmets are off for stretching, and the roars of the team are intimidating.

36:00

Receivers catching some passes. Hope they can hold on when it really counts.

The Groh is still wearing his famous sweatshirt. He went to the Bill Belichick School of Sideline Fashion.

29:00

Not happy to see Clemson imploding on ESPN360. I’m secretly making rude gestures at the Tech players under the table. Don’t tell anyone!

Starting lineups! Sewell at QB, Hall at WR.

23:00

Senior ceremony is about to start.

Thanks guys. It’s been a wild ride.

12:00

Band time! Ours is better than Tech’s.

It’s going to be hard to keep my mouth shut today, I can feel it.

CAV MAN!!! YAY!!!!!!!

TURKEY GOT PUNCHED ALL THE WAY TO THE PROCESSING PLANT.

Speaking of the Tech game, holy crap it’s tomorrow! The entire season comes down to this game. It’s our bowl game, our last shot. For some of our seniors, it’s their last chance to play in a Virginia uniform. For some, it’s their last chance to play ever.

That game is going to mean so much to a lot of people. For Al Groh, it’s a swan song. For our seniors, it’s about going out on a high note. For the team, it’s about ending the season right. For everyone involved, including myself, it’s about giving those stupid turkeys everything they deserve.

Mere words can’t even come close t describing the burning, intense hatred I feel for Virginia Tech. I’m a journalist, but on this blog I’m a student so I can talk about my own personal feelings towards their idiotic program. I hate their mascot, their stupid stadium, their horrible color scheme, those awful Nike Pro Combat uniforms, and especially their mindless zombie fans who revere Frank Beamer as some sort of god. I’m sure they are all making sacrifices to him as I type this.

I hate how their fan base gets all hopped up every season about how, “This year we’re gonna win that championship!!11!!!!1!!!!” Puh-Lease. As if Virginia Tech is in the same LEAGUE as teams like Florida, Alabama, Texas, even USC and Oregon. Alabama already proved that you don’t belong once this season. Even more than that, I hate how their fans always say, “Well, we have better athletics than you, you stuck-up, chardonnay-sipping snobs! WOOO LUNCH PAIL BEAMER BALL DEFENSE WOOOO!” Guess what, your football team may be better than ours, but Virginia Tech has never won a national championship in ANY SPORT. When you win a football national title, then you are free to brag about your team. When you win a title in ANYTHING, then you can open your mouth. The closest you ever came to a national football championship was ten years ago; then good old Bobby Bowden came in and wiped the floor with you. As far as the snobbishness taunts go, well, I won’t deny that we are classier than you in almost every respect. In the words of the esteemed Coach Lou Holtz, “I’d rather be me and lose than be you and win.”

Enough of that. I won’t pollute my page any more with more mentions of those insipid Virginia Tech fans. What I am going to talk about now is our team. They’ve been through the ringer this season. However, if there’s anything to fight for, it’s this game. It would mean the world to the players (none of whom have ever beaten VT), the coaches (who may be in very different places this time next season), and the fans (who desperately need something to cheer about). Only the most loyal fans are going to be there tomorrow. The people who come back early from Thanksgiving break are the ones who have been there all season, through the good and the bad.

The team, for all of their ineptitude and mistakes, has played hard. I won’t say I’ve been pleased with the result, but I can’t fault the effort. Not once did they ever give up; they proved it last week at Clemson, in a game that didn’t mean anything to either team in the long run other than a check in the win column. I only hope that this time, this one time, their effort and their heart is rewarded.

I want this win. We, as a university NEED this win. At this point, the head coaching situation (whatever it might be) is all sewn up regardless of the outcome of the game. You should cheer your hardest for this one. I know it’s been tempting to hope for things to get so bad that the AD is forced to make a change. This time, we need a win. We need to all remember what it feels like to come out on top. We need to remember that no matter how bad things are, there is still something to fight for. We need to recapture that spirit that makes Virginia Football so special. We’ve lost it this season; it’s easy to understand why. Hopefully next season will be different. Nevertheless, all we can do with the last game of this season is be loud and vocal for our seniors, so that most of them can leave their football careers behind having left Scott Stadium to a resounding roar of approval from the crowd. Their last memory of a game in a Virginia uniform should be one of pride. They should leave tomorrow with their heads held high, and the last strains of the ‘Good Ol’ Song’ still ringing in their ears.

Coach Jeezy Says: “Just like a number of our coaches said before last Saturday’s game, just in speaking with them at the pregame meal or on the bus to the stadium, they were like - “I love games like this.  I love going against the best players and going against the best teams in games that really count for something in this type of environment.” - I think we certainly feel that.  The better the opponent, the bigger the game, the more juice.  And then when you add a natural rivalry to that, that certainly makes it one of the most exciting games of the year.”

Blair Says: ONE MORE TIME, BOYS.

VIRGINIA 17 - VIRGINIA TECH 10.

I CAN’T EVER IN GOOD CONSCIENCE PICK THE HOKIES TO WIN.

Something you all should know about Death Valley:  It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen or experienced before. I love Virginia Football with all of my heart, but I was raised a Tiger fan. I can’t count the number of Clemson home games I attended growing up. The atmosphere just doesn’t compare. It will be loud. So loud that it’s hard for the O-line to hear the signal call. Great. Just what we need.

It’s Senior Day in Clemson, and Spiller’s last home game. The orange and purple fanatics will be louder than ever. UVa is constantly complemented on the behavior of their fans by visiting fans. Don’t expect any niceties from the Tiger faithful. Southern Hospitality is all well and good, but not when there’s a trip to the ACCCG on the line. They may buy you a drink after all is said and done, but be prepared for taunts and heckling before the game. These people take their football seriously.

I doubt whether there will be many Virginia fans in attendance; Clemson is something of a trek. I was considering going to the game, but then I realized, “Do I really want to shell out $50 (not counting gas money, food, etc.) to watch us get run over?” This is probably the attitude of most fans towards the team at this point.

Yeah, you heard right. I think we are probably going to get run over. Run over by CJ Spiller, that is. Wait, what am I saying? The entire Clemson team (offense, defense and special teams) is fast. Virginia just doesn’t have the speed to keep up.

On defense, Ras-I Dowling and Chris Cook will have their work cut out for them covering Clemson’s talented receiving corps. Jacoby Ford is the national CHAMPION at the 60m sprint, so there’s no one faster. Our corners need to challenge him at the line and STAY CLOSE. If he gets an inch of separation, he’s gone.

Nate Collins and the d-line have to close, and close quickly. Last year we held Spiller to something like 1.8 yards per carry. Like with Ford, we can’t let Spiller get free.

On offense, I’m completely stumped as to what to do. Clemson’s defense is fast as well, so they will be putting pressure on our already-embattled offensive line. Jameel Sewell won’t have time to make throws. It’s up to Rashawn Jackson to carry the ball up the middle. Maybe we can spring him?

This week’s injury report is as follows:

Out
Raynard Horne (back)
Torey Mack (ankle)
Tim Smith (back)
Marc Verica (head)

Doubtful
None

Questionable
Vic Hall (hip)

Probable
Kris Burd (shoulder)
Darren Childs (neck)
Matt Conrath (ankle)
Colter Phillips (leg)
Jameel Sewell (shoulder)

All remaining players on the Virginia roster are available to participate. Please note the status of an injured student-athlete’s ability to participate can increase or decrease between the time this report is issued and game time.
Key:
Probable = Virtual certainty will be available for normal duty
Questionable = 50-50 chance will not play
Doubtful = At least 75% chance will not play
Out = Definitely will not play

I’m a little nervous about Vic Hall’s hip and Jameel’s shoulder. Obviously, Sewell will still start, but I hope he doesn’t hurt himself. With Verica out, I really don’t want to rely on RFr. Riko Smalls, who has never taken a snap in a game.

Coach Jeezy Says: When you go down there awe know a couple of things. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be challenging, and it’s going to be fun. It’s a great atmosphere in which to play in. In their energy it’s right up there at the very top of the ACC sites that we go to. There’s a real football fever. It’s not just a Saturday afternoon activity. There is a real passion and a real fever for Clemson football. So I’ve always enjoyed going in there. It’s very challenging to go in, like I said. It’s challenging. They always have a very talented team. I mean, I can’t remember when Clemson wasn’t talented. They’ve always had a very talented team. Football is really important not only to the players, but to the fans. And there is a very lively electric atmosphere. We haven’t been down there since they expanded the stadium or the renovations that went into it. But it was pretty imposing before it was renovated. So kind of looking forward to seeing it.

Blair Says: Eeep. Clemson 37 - Virginia 10

What else can really be said? When the defense is on point, the offense can’t make it happen. We held the Eagles to a measly fourteen points, but the offense had ZERO points. Special teams and defense scored all ten points. Chris Cook gets a gold star for his pick six, and even if Robert Randolph had made that forty-some yarder, it wouldn’t have won the game. He should ask Bobby Bowden about “wide right” some time.

According to Coach Jeezy: “We left 10 special teams points out there today that we could have had. Clearly that would have been the difference in the game. Those kind of points get forgotten but they are the kind of points that change scoreboards. Leaving those points out there had more effect on the game than the final few plays did. ”

Um, okay Coach. What about the offense? What about the fact that the offense can’t put a single point on the board?

Le offense was simply sad. Sad, sad, sad. From dropped passes, to silly mistakes, to poor decision making, we continually found ways to shoot ourselves in the foot. Dropped passes this late in the season? UNCONTESTED dropped passes? Seriously? Each WR should be required to catch 1,000 balls every day in practice before they are allowed to go eat dinner. Best way to motivate college guys: withhold food.

Speaking of food, someone needs to feed Perry Jones some alligator meat. Fast. If he is going to be playing RB, he needs to toughen up. He may be quick, but he is also small. If he wants to break through, he needs to run harder. Are we starting to see why he wasn’t as heavily recruited out of high school?

I will say that Jameel Sewell did well this weekend. His first day of practice in the last TWO WEEKS was Thursday. Maybe he should take time off every week? My one gripe is that he still makes questionable decisions under pressure. On his lone interception, he was flushed from the pocket. He had about 10 yards of daylight in front of him AND a wide-open Joe Torchia. Instead of finding his TE or just running for the first down, Sewell looked desperately for Vic Hall, and underthrew him for an INT. If only his brain worked better under fire…

All in all, this was one of the more questionably officiated games I’ve seen this season. Our defense was close to QB David Shinskie all game, but with all of the illegal holding going on we only sacked him once. Some of the pass-interference calls on us were a little iffy as well. Finally, to top it all off, we were given a questionable spot at the end of the game on that 4th an 1. The ball was spotted, and then an official ran out and moved it back. Really? Isn’t that what replay is for? Speaking of replay, our game was on ESPN 360 rather than a televised station, which makes a huge difference when it comes to reviewing plays. 360 only has two cameras, whereas even Raycom has 6, including a camera on the goal line. There wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the call. However, if the ball hadn’t been moved back by the official, there wouldn’t have been enough evidence to overturn that either.

Football is a game of inches, and we came up inches short. The lesson learned from all of this: DON’T EVER PUT THE GAME IN THE HANDS OF THE OFFICIALS.

Robert Randolph said it best: “We are going to have to rally here for the last two games, but we can count on the fact that everyone in that locker room desperately wants to win. We still have pride to play for, but more than that, it’s about playing for your teammates.”

I was immensely proud of our fans on Saturday. It was only a crowd of 44,000 and change, but they were behind the team the whole way. The stadium sounded much louder than that. Mostly everyone stayed until the very end. We want our team to do well. We care about them, but there is only so much we can take as a fanbase before something has to give.

Hopefully we will have a ton of support two weeks from now for the last home game against Tech. I dislike them a lot.

Clemson this week: a Heisman hopeful and a super loud stadium full of crazy fans. Make sure you all vote for CJ Spiller for Heisman. We all want an ACC player to bring the trophy home!