CHARLOTTESVILLE -- On one side of Virginia's grounds, there was a call for football coach Al Groh's head Sunday.

On the other, Groh was showing a little forgiveness toward sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell.

Sewell, replaced by freshman Peter Lalich late in UVa's season-opening loss at Wyoming, apparently will start in the Cavaliers' home opener Saturday against Duke.

"You don't have to wait for any changes," said Groh in a teleconference with reporters. "He's [Sewell] our guy. The other guy only played five plays. It's a little early for Canton."

Sewell certainly wasn't ready for Canton, Ohio, or the Pro Football Hall of Fame either after he was intercepted twice and completed 11 of 23 passes for 87 yards in a 23-3 loss to Wyoming.

It was Virginia's 10th loss in its past road 11 games and the Cavaliers dropped to 10-24 in road games in Groh's seven seasons.

Within 24 hours, disgruntled fans had voiced their displeasure by painting "Groh Must Go" over one side of the Beta Bridge, one of UVa's most famous landmarks.

In large orange letters on a blue background, there were two references to Groh's $1.7 million per-year salary, which actually may have escalated with cost-of-living.

The media has seen Groh erupt on occasion, but he was restrained as he met with the media Saturday.

"Probably 50 folks around here would snicker in disbelief when I say it," said Groh, interviewed before reporters could confirm the Beta Bridge paint job, "but, best as I can, win or lose, I try to be somewhat restrained [after a game].

"We've got quite a ways to go. Clearly, we're not happy with the performance, but we talk in terms of we, us and ours. There are circumstances out there that can divide teams and that's the worst thing that can happen to you early in the season.

"That's the only thing that doesn't give you a chance."

Groh said he agreed with Sewell that poor mechanics were a major contributor to his inaccuracy.

"That certainly did show up," Groh said after watching film. "That's part of the issue."

And, the other part of the issue?

"Probably some of the reads weren't as fast as you'd like," Groh said. "We need to get the ball out a little quicker.

"I'm sure that nobody expected more out of the game than Jameel himself. He's had an excellent preseason. We have a lot of confidence in him."

With his decision to use Lalich, who no longer can be redshirted, Groh bypassed junior Scott Deke. Deke, who has not played in a college game, was listed as UVa's co-No. 2 quarterback.

Groh didn't fully explain the decision to go with Lalich instead of Deke but said developments Saturday convinced him that the Cavaliers needed to get playing time for Lalich in case changes were necessary for physical or performance-related reasons.

"We'll see from week to week whether we'll have the opportunity to do that," Groh said.