Associated Press

Virginia quarterback Marc Verica (6) attempts to avoid a sack by Miami's Marcus Robinson (56).

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- For the first time in any reporter's memory, Virginia quarterback Marc Verica declined requests to speak to the media following Virginia's 52-17 loss Saturday to host Miami.

Verica got the start, his first since last November, when a shoulder injury caused the Cavaliers to hold Jameel Sewell out of action.

Sewell was in uniform but Virginia reported in its ACC-mandated Thursday injury report that he was doubtful.

"His throwing, clearly, would have been very affected," said Virginia head coach Al Groh, who said Sewell would have been used "only if we needed someone to conduct the game."

Missing Saturday's game should improve Sewell's chances of playing against Boston College next week, but Groh couldn't offer a long-term prognosis.

"It's impossible to gauge what that is," Groh said.

So, it looks as if the Cavaliers (3-6, 2-3 ACC) could turn again to Verica, who shows little resemblance to the quarterback who passed for 200 yards or more in six straight games last year, tying Matt Schaub's school record.

Of course, Verica no longer has his top two receivers from a year ago, wide receiver Kevin Ogletree and tight end John Phillips, both of whom caught passes last Sunday for the Dallas Cowboys.

Verica was 11-of-29 for 75 yards Saturday. For the season, he is 28-of-63 for 156 yards, a paltry 2.5 yards per attempt. He averaged 5.8 yards per attempt last year.

"A lot of the coverage [Saturday] was tight man-to-man coverage," Groh said. "When a quarterback faces that, whoever the quarterback might be, that's a question of 'You've got to get some individual wins up the field.' "

Verica was sacked twice and also yielded an interception when it appeared that the ball slipped out of his hands. Verica had a ball slip out of his hand in a crucial situation in UVa's opener against William and Mary, although a pass rusher may have caused him to lose the handle Saturday.

Big play

Virginia sophomore Cam Johnson was credited with his first two sacks of the season Saturday but it was a third failed sack opportunity that Groh was lamenting after the game.

Miami was facing a third-and-5 from its 13 early in the second half when Johnson slipped past his blocker and appeared to have Hurricanes' quarterback Jacory Harris in his sights.

Johnson was able to get a hand on Harris, but Harris slipped away and completed a 29-yard pass to Tharon Byrd. The Hurricanes, leading 24-17 at the time, went on to score a touchdown on the drive.

"A critical part of the game," Groh called it.

"I can understand why somebody might say, 'The score was whatever it was and you're picking on one play.' But, we had good initial coverage on the pattern. We had pressure in the pocket.

"Harris did what he always does [and] made himself difficult to get on the ground. We had a chance to follow up what we had said at the half [with] a seven-point differential, 'Get 'em stopped, get the ball back and see what we can do.' Now, all of a sudden, it's 14 points."

Johnson again

Groh had a heated exchange with head referee Tom McCreesh following Johnson's second sack, which would have put Miami in a second-and-25 from its 30 with Miami leading 31-17 later in the third quarter.

McCreesh called for a review in order to spot the ball, then came back and charged Johnson with a face-mask penalty. A reporter said that he was unaware that a replay official could call a penalty.

"That's a new one on me, too," Groh said.

When asked if he had received an explanation, Groh replied, "Not a satisfactory one."

Groh indicated that he was unwilling to pay a fine comparable to the $30,000 that Florida coach Urban Meyer was assessed by the Southeastern Conference but tossed one barb concerning an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on Nate Collins:

"We have to remember, this is not CYO ball we're playing."

Virginia next week

One-time Virginia defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani will be on the opposing sideline as head coach when Boston College (6-3, 3-2 ACC) visits Virginia for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff next Saturday. The Eagles had an open date this week.