2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team

2008 Virginia Cavaliers football
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal
2008 record 5–7 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach Al Groh
Offensive coordinator Mike Groh
Offensive scheme West Coast
Defensive coordinator Bob Pruett
Base defense 3–4
Home stadium Scott Stadium
(Capacity: 61,500)
2008 ACC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
Atlantic Division
Boston College xy   5 – 3         9 – 5  
#21 Florida State x   5 – 3         9 – 4  
Maryland   4 – 4         8 – 5  
Wake Forest   4 – 4         8 – 5  
Clemson   4 – 4         7 – 6  
NC State   4 – 4         6 – 7  
Coastal Division
#15 Virginia Tech xy$   5 – 3         10 – 4  
#22 Georgia Tech x   5 – 3         9 – 4  
North Carolina   0 – 4         0 – 5  
Miami   4 – 4         7 – 6  
Virginia   3 – 5         5 – 7  
Duke   1 – 7         4 – 8  
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 12
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • North Carolina vacated 8 wins, including 4 ACC wins
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was Virginia's 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Cavaliers were led by head coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Preseason

The 2008 preseason began in early January, with the loss of starting quarterback Jameel Sewell due to academic ineligibility as well as three other players who were not enrolled for the Spring 2008 semester; junior cornerback Chris Cook, freshman wide receiver Chris Dalton and freshman linebacker Darnell Carter.[1]

In February 2008, defensive back Mike Brown was arrested by UVa police and charged with one count each of grand larceny, possession of stolen property with intent to sell, altering serial numbers, and possession of marijuana. Al Groh said of the situation, "At this time we are currently gathering the facts. In view of the nature of the allegation, Mike Brown is not participating with the program at this time."[2] Also in February, defensive end Jeffery Fitzgerald left the school, and subsequently the team, after allegations of honor code violations; the university stating that, "Fitzgerald is no longer enrolled and will never play again for the 'Hoos."[3][4]

Peter Lalich Controversy

On July 24, 2008, Peter Lalich, quarterback, was charged with unlawful purchase and possession of alcohol, a misdemeanor. Coach Groh would not comment on the charge, and stated that any disciplinary action would be dealt with internally, within the team. Lalich's case has been continued until July 21, 2009, at which point his charges will be dropped should he avoid further trouble.[5]

On September 5, 2008, it was reported that Lalich had admitted to court officials that he had used marijuana and alcohol while on supervised probation. The voluntary admission came during a regular probation interview with officials from the office of Offender Aid and Restoration/Virginia Alcohol Safety Program. He is scheduled for a hearing on September 26.[6] On September 10, 2008 it was announced through a statement from Virginia's sports information office that Lalich would not be starting in the September 13 game against the University of Connecticut.[7]

On Thursday, September 18, Lalich admitted that he had violated the terms of his probation.[8] Later the same day, he was dismissed from the Cavalier football team.[9] In a statement, UVA Athletic Director Craig Littlepage said, "We have supported Peter, but believe today a point has been reached where it’s best for all concerned that [Peter] no longer participate on the team. This is my decision, and it has support of head football coach Al Groh. We wish Peter the best in the future." [10]

Schedule

[11]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
August 30 3:30 PM #2 USC* Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ABC L 7–52   64,947
September 6 3:45 PM Richmond* Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPNU W 16–0   51,007
September 13 7:30 PM at Connecticut* Rentschler Field • East Hartford, CT ESPNU L 10–45   40,000[12]
September 27 12:00 PM at Duke Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC ESPNU L 3–31   25,527
October 4 7:00 PM Maryland Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (Rivalry) ESPNU W 31–0   50,727
October 11 12:00 PM East Carolina* Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA Raycom W 35–20   52,398
October 18 3:30 PM #18 North Carolina Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) ABC W 16–13 OT  52,342
October 25 3:30 PM at #18 Georgia Tech Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPNU W 24–17   47,416
November 1 12:00 PM Miamidagger Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA Raycom L 17–24 OT  53,308
November 8 3:30 PM at Wake Forest BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC ESPNU L 17–28   34,014
November 22 12:00 PM Clemson Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA Raycom L 3–13   51,979
November 29 12:00 PM at Virginia Tech Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup) ESPN L 14–17   66,233
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Coaching staff

Position Name Season
Head Coach: Al Groh7th
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Coach: Bob Pruett1st
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Mike Groh7th
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach: Steve Bernstein2nd
Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers CoachBob Diaco2nd
Defensive Assistant Coach/Assistant Defensive Line CoachLervern Belin2nd
Wide Receivers Coach: Wayne Lineburg1st
Running Game Coordinator/Offensive Line CoachDave Borbely2nd
Asst. Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs CoachAnthony Poindexter4th
Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting CoordinatorBob Price10th
Graduate Assistant OffenseJim Jones1st
Graduate Assistant DefenseVincent Brown1st
Head Strength CoachMatt Balis1st
Director of Football Video OperationsLuke Goldstein6th

Players

Recruiting

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Game notes

USC

The No. 3 ranked Trojans scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to beat the Cavaliers to win the first game of the season. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 338 yards, CJ Gable ran for 73 yards, and Ronald Johnson had 78 yards in receiving. The second half was all USC, with UVA turning over the ball three times.

1 2 3 4 Total
USC 21 3 14 14 52
Virginia 7 0 0 0 7

Richmond

1 2 3 4 Total
Richmond 0 0 0 0 0
Virginia 3 0 0 13 16

Connecticut

1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 0 0 3 7 10
Connecticut 7 21 14 3 45

Duke

1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 3 0 0 0 3
Duke 0 3 14 14 31

Maryland

1 2 3 4 Total
Maryland 0 0 0 0 0
Virginia 7 14 10 0 31

East Carolina

1 2 3 4 Total
East Carolina 6 0 7 7 20
Virginia 7 21 0 7 35

North Carolina

1 2 3 4OT Total
North Carolina 7 0 0 33 13
Virginia 0 0 3 76 16

Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 3 7 7 7 24
Georgia Tech 14 0 0 3 17

[13]

Miami

1 2 3 4OT Total
Miami 7 3 0 77 24
Virginia 10 7 0 00 17

Wake Forest

1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 0 3 0 14 17
Wake Forest 14 14 0 0 28

Clemson

1 2 3 4 Total
Clemson 7 3 0 3 13
Virginia 0 3 0 0 3

Virginia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 7 7 0 0 14
Virginia Tech 7 0 7 3 17

Rankings

Ranking Movement
Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Final
AP
Coaches
Harris Not released
BCS Not released

Statistics

Team

Team Opp
Scoring    
  Points per Game    
First Downs    
  Rushing    
  Passing    
  Penalty    
Total Offense    
  Avg per Play    
  Avg per Game    
Fumbles-Lost    
Penalties-Yards    
  Avg per Game    
Team Opp
Punts-Yards    
  Avg per Punt    
Time of Possession/Game    
3rd Down Conversions    
4th Down Conversions    
Touchdowns Scored    
Field Goals-Attempts-Long    
PAT-Attempts    
Attendance    
  Games/Avg per Game    

Scores by quarter

1 2 3 4 Total
Virginia 0
Opponents 0

Offense

Rushing

Name GP-GS Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Total Larry Richardson jr 12-10  99   607          2    
Opponents                  

Passing

Name GP-GS Effic Att-Cmp-Int Pct Yds TD Lng Avg/G
Total                  
Opponents                  

Receiving

Name GP-GS No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G
Total Condarrial McCall12-8   3   899   13.4   11   63   74.9      
Opponents                  

Defense

Name GP Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Interceptions Fumbles Blkd
Kick
Solo Ast Total TFL-Yds No-Yds BrUp QBH No.-Yds Avg TD Long Rcv-Yds FF
Total

Special teams

Name Punting Kickoffs
No. Yds Avg Long TB FC I20 Blkd No. Yds Avg TB OB
Total
Name Punt Returns Kick Returns
No. Yds Avg TD Long No. Yds Avg TD Long
Total


References

  1. ↑ Kilgore, Adam (January 18, 2008). "U-Va.'s Sewell Not Enrolled For the Spring". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
  2. ↑ "UVA Football Player Arrested". WSLS-TV. March 3, 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  3. ↑ Hudtloff, Marty. "Fitzgerald Leaves University of Virginia". WVIR-TV. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  4. ↑ Kilgore, Adam (August 4, 2008). "Five Questions for Virginia". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  5. ↑ White, Jeff (July 24, 2008). "U.Va. QB Lalich Charged with Alcohol Possession". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  6. ↑ McKenzie, Bryan (September 5, 2008). "More Charges for UVa’s Lalich". The Daily Progress (Charlottesville). Archived from the original on September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
  7. ↑ Doughty, Doug (September 10, 2008). "UVa QB Lalich Won't Play Saturday". The Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
  8. ↑ "UVa Dismisses Lalich from Team". The Daily Press (Newport News). September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  9. ↑ "UVA QB Lalich off the team". ESPN. September 18, 2008. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  10. ↑ White, Jeff (September 18, 2008). "U.Va. Football Team Dismisses QB Lalich". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Football - 2008 Schedule / Scores". VirginiaSports.com. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Game Summary - Connecticut vs. Virginia Game Date: 09/13/08". NCAA. September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Virginia Upsets #18 Georgia Tech". WCAV-TV. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
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