Associated Press

Duke's Vince Oghobaase (3) sacks UVa quarterback Jameel Sewell during last Saturday's game.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- As a passer, Jameel Sewell has been plagued by wildness at various points during his career, but opponents generally have had to his honor his running ability.

Sewell has had as many as 23 rushing attempts in one game this season, but the Cavaliers (3-5, 2-2 ACC) have gone in another direction in recent weeks.

Not successfully, based on back-to-back losses to Georgia Tech and Duke.

And not by design, either.

"You saw a circumstance with him at Maryland when he couldn't finish the game," said UVa coach Al Groh, referring to an Oct. 17 contest in College Park, Md., won by the Cavaliers 20-9. "Clearly, that has impacted the wisdom of using him too much or his quickness or willingness to do so."

Prior to an earlier game, Sewell had been listed as probable due to a previously undisclosed ankle injury. He aggravated that injury in the second half at Maryland and was on crutches for the final quarter.

"He spent the better part of the last few weeks kind of limping through the week," Groh said. "We've been happy to have him on Saturdays, actually."

It is difficult to assess what kind of impact the injury has had on Sewell's throwing. He was 8-for-22 for 107 yards Saturday in a 28-17 loss to Duke.

"I don't know what it has done as far as Saturday is concerned, but it certainly has had him practice a different way during the course of the week, if it doesn't bother him," Groh said. "He hasn't been able to step into some of the throws as he would if he wasn't nursing this thing along."

Back-up Marc Verica replaced an injured Sewell twice against Duke. On the first occasion, Sewell seemed unsteady on his feet as he was helped from the field, as if he were woozy. He wasn't limping, however.

"I asked him how he was on a couple of occasions and whether it would affect him," Groh said. "He said, 'No,' that he was fine, so I just took him at his word for it."

Sewell's latest outing left him with 4,865 career passing yards. Marques Hagans stands fifth on UVa's all-time list with 4,877 yards, one spot ahead of Sewell. Aaron Brooks is fourth at 5,118.

Not enough help

Virginia was trailing 25-17 when Sewell uncorked a bomb that went through the hands of wide receiver Jared Green at the Duke 15-yard line. It was unclear afterward whether a Blue Devil defender had gotten a hand on the ball.

"It looked like it was a catchable ball," said Groh during a Sunday night teleconference that is his first exposure to reporters after viewing film.

Dropped passes have been an issue in each of Virginia's successive losses.

"We do keep track of them," Groh said, "but my feeling is, just off the top of my head, that it's pretty much been an issue from the start."

Groh's future

Groh, whose team has lost nine of its last 12 games dating back to 2008, was asked Sunday night what he would say to the people who are calling for a coaching change.

"I don't have anything to say," said Groh, who paused for about four seconds before adding. "I know a lot more about the situation than probably anybody. Maybe some day I'll say what that is."

Personnel

Virginia has gotten inspired efforts from junior John-Kevin Dolce and sophomore Zane Parr in the absence of sophomore defensive end Matt Conrath, who suffered a high ankle sprain at Maryland. Conrath was not in uniform Saturday but was walking without crutches.

"We're going to put Matt right back where he was," Groh said. "He was probably, at the time that he left, having the best season of anybody on the defensive team. While those players at right end have stepped in and done a very nice job, really nobody has exceeded what Matt Conrath was doing."

Upcoming games

Game time for Virginia's game Saturday at Miami (6-2, 3-2) has been set for noon at Land Shark Stadium, site of a 1996 Carquest Bowl game between the teams when the stadium was known as Pro Player Stadium. Miami won that game, 31-21. UVa thumped the Hurricanes in Miami's final game at the Orange Bowl, 48-0, in 2007. ... Virginia's next home game, Nov. 14 against Boston College, will kick off at 3:30 p.m.