Virginia taking ‘shock the world' approach to facing Oregon

CHARLOTTESVILLE - It clearly didn't matter to Virginia that oddsmakers were having a hard time reaching a consensus on the Cavaliers' football game Saturday with third-ranked Oregon.

The line was fluctuating between the mid- and low-20s, which would rank among the highest UVa has faced in decades, at least at home.

UVa coach Mike London isn't opposed to taking the "shock the world" approach.

"Why not?" London said. "That's what college football is all about, having the opportunities to play on those days that a lot of people say you can't win.

"A lot of people said we wouldn't be able to beat BYU. No disrespect to BYU, but Oregon is what, No. 2 or 3 in the country right now? Our mindset has to be, we're playing at our place, we've got to bring a lot of energy and passion."

Then, London paraphrased former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.

"Instead of asking why," London said, "we ask ‘why not?'"

While UVa was outlasting Brigham Young 19-16, Oregon was racking up 772 yards in its demolition of visiting Nicholls State.

"Being the underdog, man, that's what you love to be right there," UVa offensive tackle Morgan Moses said. "Everyone sleeps on you.

"It's just another chance to put us on the map. I think about my freshman year and when we went out and played Southern Cal out in California.

"It shows we can play with the best."

In London's second game as head coach, the Cavaliers lost to then-No. 16 Southern Cal 17-14. However, the Trojans had rolled two years earlier at Scott Stadium, 52-7.

• Oregon will be making its first appearance at an ACC stadium and Charlottesville is the eastern-most venue for a Ducks' game since they played at Army in 1950. It will be the third game ever between Oregon and an ACC team. Virginia goes to Eugene, Ore., in 2016.
• One connection between Virginia and Oregon is the Lewis and Clark expedition commissioned by then-President Thomas Jefferson following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Albemarle County-born Meriwether Lewis and fellow Virginian William Clark helped blaze the Oregon Trail through the Rockies.

Secret weapon

During an eight-loss season in 2012, Virginia never punted more than nine times in a single game. Alec Vozenilek's 13 punts Saturday against Brigham Young were two short of the school record of 14 in a 24-16 victory over South Carolina in 1972.

Vozenilek had seven punts of 40 yards or more, including a 50-yarder. More impressive than his four punts downed inside the 20 were his three punts that were downed at the BYU 2-, 8- and 8-yard lines.

Odds 'n' ends

Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Brent Urban had two pass deflections in his college career before he knocked down three passes against the Cougars. ... Virginia announced that oft-injured fourth-year wide receiver Pablo Alvarez will not play this year. Alvarez's only action was three plays in the 2012 opener.

• London became the first coach in UVa history to go 4-0 in his first four opening game and the Cavaliers are 17-3 in their last 20 openers. ... BYU dropped to 7-13 all-time against ACC teams, including 1-3 against Virginia. It was the first time the home team had won a BYU-UVa game.

Not hasty

The only two 2013 UVa signees to see action Saturday were running back Taquan Mizzell, who also returned three kickoffs, and fullback Connor Wingo-Reeves, who played primarily on special teams. Mizzell, the Cavaliers' highest-rated recruit, carried seven times for 19 yards.

Quote-unquote

UVa cornerback Maurice Canady, who had a team-high 13 tackles against Brigham Young, on how he spent his time Saturday during a two-hour, nine-minute lightning delay: "I actually took a little nap. I had to wake up."

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