2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team

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.

2008 Virginia Cavaliers football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal
2008 record5–7 (3–5 ACC)
Head coachAl Groh (8th season)
Offensive coordinatorMike Groh (3rd season)
Offensive schemeWest Coast
Defensive coordinatorBob Pruett (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumScott Stadium
(Capacity: 61,500)
2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Atlantic Division
Boston College xy  5 –3     9 –5  
No. 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
No. 15 Virginia Tech xy$  5 –3     10 –4  
No. 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

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]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 303:30 PMNo. 2 USC*
ABCL 7–5264,947
September 63:45 PMRichmond*
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
ESPNUW 16–051,007
September 137:30 PMat Connecticut*
ESPNUL 10–4540,000[12]
September 2712:00 PMat Duke
ESPNUL 3–3125,527
October 47:00 PMMaryland
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA (rivalry)
ESPNUW 31–050,727
October 1112:00 PMEast Carolina*
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
RaycomW 35–2052,398
October 183:30 PMNo. 18 North Carolina
ABCW 16–13 OT52,342
October 253:30 PMat No. 18 Georgia Tech
ESPNUW 24–1747,416
November 112:00 PMMiami
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
RaycomL 17–24 OT53,308
November 83:30 PMat Wake Forest
ESPNUL 17–2834,014
November 2212:00 PMClemson
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
RaycomL 3–1351,979
November 2912:00 PMat Virginia Tech
ESPNL 14–1766,233
See also: 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Personnel
2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB Marc Verica
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • Injured
    • Redshirt

    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

    -->

    See also: American football positions and Glossary of American football

    Watch list

    Game summaries

    USC
    See also: 2008 USC Trojans football team

    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
    See also: 2008 Connecticut Huskies football team
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Virginia 0 0 3 7 10
    Connecticut 7 21 14 3 45

    Duke
    See also: 2008 Duke Blue Devils football team
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Virginia 3 0 0 0 3
    Duke 0 3 14 14 31

    Maryland
    See also: 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
    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
    See also: 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
    1 2 3 4OT Total
    North Carolina 7 0 0 33 13
    Virginia 0 0 3 76 16

    Georgia Tech
    See also: 2008 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Virginia 3 7 7 7 24
    Georgia Tech 14 0 0 3 17

    [13]

    Miami
    See also: 2008 Miami Hurricanes football team
    1 2 3 4OT Total
    Miami 7 3 0 77 24
    Virginia 10 7 0 00 17

    Wake Forest
    See also: 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Virginia 0 3 0 14 17
    Wake Forest 14 14 0 0 28

    Clemson
    See also: 2008 Clemson Tigers football team
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Clemson 7 3 0 3 13
    Virginia 0 3 0 0 3

    Virginia Tech
    See also: 2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Virginia 7 7 0 0 14
    Virginia Tech 7 0 7 3 17

    Rankings
    See also: 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
    Ranking Movement
    PollPreWk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6Wk 7Wk 8Wk 9Wk 10Wk 11Wk 12Wk 13Wk 14Final
    AP
    Coaches
    Harris Not released
    BCS Not released

    Statistics

    Team
    TeamOpp
    Scoring  
      Points per Game  
    First Downs  
      Rushing  
      Passing  
      Penalty  
    Total Offense  
      Avg per Play  
      Avg per Game  
    Fumbles-Lost  
    Penalties-Yards  
      Avg per Game  
    TeamOpp
    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
    NameGP-GSAttGainLossNetAvgTDLongAvg/G
    Total Larry Richardson jr12-10 179  1307      12  
    Total Raymond Edwards12 -12 211  1591      18  

    Passing
    NameGP-GSEfficAtt-Cmp-IntPctYdsTDLngAvg/G
    Total         
    Opponents         

    Receiving
    NameGP-GSNo.YdsAvgTDLongAvg/G
    Total Darrin Washington12-12  17  1399  13.4  11  109  109.9    
    Opponents         

    Defense
    Name GP Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Interceptions Fumbles Blkd
    Kick
    SoloAstTotalTFL-YdsNo-YdsBrUpQBHNo.-YdsAvgTDLongRcv-YdsFF
    Total

    Special teams
    Name Punting Kickoffs
    No.YdsAvgLongTBFCI20Blkd No.YdsAvgTBOB
    Total
    Name Punt Returns Kick Returns
    No.YdsAvgTDLongNo.YdsAvgTDLong
    Total


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    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 8, 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. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. 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. Archived from the original on 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
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