Catches keep adding up for UVa wide receiver Darius Jennings

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Lost in the discussion of a two-hour lightning delay and a late, game-changing interception was the role of Virginia wide receiver Darius Jennings in a 19-16 victory over Brigham Young.

A 53-yard Virginia field goal at the halftime buzzer followed a soaring grab by Jennings for 20 yards on a third-and-10, and he later gave a textbook exhibition of staying in bounds on a third-quarter touchdown reception.

Maybe that could have been expected after a 2012 season in which Jennings caught 48 passes for 578 yards and five touchdowns.

In many ways, it fit the description of a breakout season.

“Personally, I wouldn’t consider last year a breakout season,” said Jennings, a 5-foot-11, 178-pound junior from the Gilman School in Baltimore. “I feel as though I could have done a lot more.

“I definitely left plays on the field last year that I expect to make and my team expects me to make.”

Jennings was coming off a 2011 season during which he had 20 receptions as a true freshman. His 68 receptions after two seasons is the high for a UVa wide receiver.

Tight end Heath Miller had 103 receptions in his first two seasons (2002-2003) but the most by a wide receiver was by future NFL star Herman Moore, who had 60 catches in his first two UVa seasons. Kevin Ogletree had 59 and Billy McMullen had 58.

Of that group, all but McMullen had the benefit of a redshirt year.

Nobody has come close to threatening McMullen’s UVa record for career receptions, 210, but Jennings is moving up the list quickly.

His seven receptions for 62 yards Saturday matched his high for catches in a game.

“This year, I didn’t really set any goals,” Jennings said. “The only thing I told myself was, just win games and become a household name.

“If I’m doing that, it means I’m doing my part to help my team and that we’re out there connecting.”

The Cavaliers were trailing 10-7 before Anthony Harris blocked a punt that gave the ball to the UVa offense at the Brigham Young 16-yard line early in the third quarter.

After two running plays, Virginia faced a third-and-5 from the Cougars’ 11. Quarterback David Watford rolled to his right and spotted Jennings in the back-right corner of the end zone.

A heavy rain was falling at the time and it was unclear whether Jennings had gotten the required one foot in bounds, although a nearby official raised his arms to signal a touchdown.

Almost immediately, play was halted so the call could be reviewed.

Jennings stopped to watch replays on the Jumbotron, although water on the camera did not make for the clearest view.

Eventually, the call on the field was confirmed.

“During the play, I really wasn’t thinking [about] getting a foot in,” Jennings said. “It was just kind of instinct. I knew that I had dragged a toe, but I didn’t know if I was in or not when I caught it.

“There was some uncertainty. It was just a great feeling. It was such a struggle through the whole first half, just to put six on the board was great for our offense and team as a whole.”

Virginia had 223 yards in total offense, its lowest total in a victory since 2009. Watford, in his first start, was 18-of-32 for 114 yards and was intercepted once.

“Knowing Dave, he’s his biggest critic,” Jennings said. “He’s going to be tough on himself and correct all his mistakes. Dave did what he needed to do. We got the ‘W.’ Dave was there to make plays with his arms and his feet.”

Virginia had 60 offensive plays and gained more than 10 yards on four of them, the longest being the 20-yard reception by Jennings.

It was the Cavaliers’ debut under new offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild, who was hired after former offensive coordinator Bill Lazor went to the Philadelphia Eagles as quarterbacks coach.

“When coach Fairchild first came in, his biggest point to the players was, we wouldn’t have to adapt to him,” Jennings said. “He was going to adapt to us.

“That was very helpful. Some of the terminology stayed the same; some changed, as well. For him to be all ears, you can’t ask for much more than that.”

Fairchild might have been told that he could count on Jennings, a prized 2011 signee who played quarterback as a senior in high school and also had a background at running back.

Jennings has a smooth way about him and one reporter went so far as to compare him to former Washington Redskins wide receiver Art Monk, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who, at 6-3, is considerably taller than Jennings.

“I’ve never heard that,” Jennings said, “but I’ll take it.”

Weather Journal

2 days ago

1. Britney Spears spotted at Lynchburg restaurant

2. One person injured in Friday night shooting in Roanoke

3. East Carolina poses new challenge for Virginia Tech football 

4. Lowe's tapes may hold clues to Roanoke woman's death

5. William Byrd stuns Salem in football win

6. Roanoke resource officer's quick action saved young girl

7. Roanoke County electrical short quiets 5 Wheeler radio stations

8. Concert review: Timeless Willie Nelson plays to appreciative crowd

9. History says this one will matter for Virginia Tech

10. Blacksburg lawyer Painter’s bond revoked