In each of North Carolina’s victories this season, the Tar Heels won a critical category needed to be successful in college football.

In some magical way, Virginia quarterback Marc Verica has blocked out a forgettable experience at Duke.

Down 6-0 late in the first quarter, things could have snowballed on Virginia’s football team Saturday.

What will Virginia do for an encore? That will be discovered today at noon inside Scott Stadium against East Carolina (3-2, 1-1 Conference USA), a program attempting to find its own identity.

Last week was one of the bittersweet experiences of Marc Verica’s young life.

Virginia coach Al Groh is not ready to thrust Marc Verica’s name into the race for the Heisman Trophy.

After haplessly strolling through back-to-back road defeats, Virginia’s football team showcased its best Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde impression on Saturday in a 31-point win against Maryland.

Don’t expect to see East Carolina football coach Skip Holtz calling in to ESPN’s “Dr. Lou” segment any time soon. That’s where coaches and players call in to see the advice of “Dr. Lou,” who in reality is former coaching great Lou Holtz, who just happens to be Skip’s father.

“I know he’s been waiting for a long time to play like that,” said Virginia running back Cedric Peerman.

In a shocking reversal of fortune, Virginia blanked Maryland, 31-0, in front of an announced crowd of 50,727, snapping a two-game losing streak that included a disappointing 28-point loss at Duke.
UVa vs. Maryland forum thread

Kevin Ogletree was sitting around chewing the fat with a bunch of sportswriters the other day when he recollected all of the Virginia quarterbacks that had thrown him a pass during his career.

“Early on in training camp, he had hip flexor issues,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “Maurice had a great summer. He was clearly very dedicated to making this a great season for himself and then he ended with hip flexor problems.

With turmoil swirling around Groh after the Cavaliers’ 1-3 start, fans are looking for reasons as to why the program is struggling in the coach’s eighth year on the job.

“I don’t think about my future,” he said. “I just think about the next game.“

Thanks to 28 second-half points, Duke pulled away to blast Virginia, 31-3, at Wallace Wade Stadium, giving the Blue Devils their first ACC win since Nov. 13, 2004 and their most lopsided league win in 18 years.
UVa vs. Duke forum thread.