Sunday, October 29, 2006
Sports columnist Aaron McFarling: Cavaliers finally get firm grip on football season
Aaron McFarling
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CHARLOTTESVILLE -- They wrapped up and didn't let go.
When you get right down to it, that's what the Virginia Cavaliers did Saturday. N.C. State's big running backs crashed into the line, and there were two, three, four Cavaliers reporting for duty, latching on to whatever body part was there.
Wolfpack receivers found sanctuary in the secondary and sat down to make the catch, but then here came a Tony Franklin or a Chris Cook or a Nate Lyles to execute the open-field tackle, mitigating the effects of imperfect coverage.
They wrapped up and didn't let go. The Wolfpack wriggled and danced but couldn't get away.
And neither, it seems, can this UVa season.
Say whatever you want about the Cavaliers. Their talent level isn't Grade A. Their chances at a bowl game remain miniscule. A six- or seven-win season is still possible, but one glance at their remaining schedule tells you a four-win season is more realistic.
You know what, though? They don't care. Because what they've never lost is pride. What they've refused to abandon is each other. And their latest win -- a gritty, 14-7 victory over an N.C. State team with plenty to play for -- told you all you needed to know about this bunch.
Wait 'til next year? Ha! These guys are having way too much fun this year to do that.
"I just get excited playing with these guys, whatever age they are," said junior end Chris Long, part of a defense that starts five sophomores and a freshman. "I haven't been around such a group of hard-working, hard-nosed guys that just care about winning.
"We're a very selfless bunch," he added. "That's how we think defense should be played."
And that's how they're playing it. Can't get off your block? Don't worry. The linebacker will get there instead. Blow a coverage? Relax. The safety will save the touchdown.
Virginia gave up 290 yards to N.C. State. That's about six yards more than normal for the Cavaliers.
But every time the Wolfpack needed 17 yards, it would get just 12. When it needed 9, it would get 6.
And on one key third down in the fourth quarter, when State needed just 1 yard, it couldn't get it. Antonio Appleby led a pack of blue shirts to the ball, everybody wrapped up, and that was that. State had a penalty on fourth down, the punt team came out, and 55,730 at Scott Stadium roared their appreciation.
Give coach Al Groh some credit here, too. At Monday's practice, one of the first things he did was refocus his defense on the fundamentals, dusting off a series of competitive tackling drills. The running backs met with the linebackers. The receivers met with the defensive backs.
"It's kind of like the Little League drill," linebacker Jon Copper said, "where you're on your back and get up you run and you try to tackle the guy and there's a large area to work with.
"It's not like a run and slam and hit drill. It's more about being under control."
Under control. That's what UVa has been. Two weeks ago, when everything around them was spinning crazily, the Cavaliers hung in there.
They have two straight wins to show for it.
So far.
"We finally are jelling," Long said. "That's not to say that this is excusable, to take this long to get it together. But for whatever reason, it's just a feeling. You walk into the locker room and one day it's there.
"Fortunately, we're getting better rather than worse. Hopefully, we're peaking at the right time."
Florida State's up next. Then Miami. Then Virginia Tech. Not a softie in the group.
No matter. The Cavs are eager to see where the rest of this season takes them, and the game plan from here on out is pretty simple:
Wrap up and don't let go.
