Retro theme draws raves from UVa players

From the orange jerseys with no names on the back and the white helmets with a simple blue and orange stripe, Virginia’s athletic department stayed committed to the game’s retro theme throughout Saturday’s proceedings.

The theme had at least one huge fan — Virginia wide receiver Jared Green who made sure he’ll get to hold on to his bright orange jersey.

“That was sweet,” Green said. “I actually bought mine so that will definitely be at the house.”

And if Virginia ever decides to trot out the idea again during Green’s time at Virginia?

“They are going to have to make another one,” Green said.

Virginia’s band kept with the theme too, by trotting out a halftime show filled with 1980s hits and movie themes, including the theme from “Back to the Future” and “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson. Of course, the halftime show had to be performed from the stands in order to “preserve the game field’s condition.”

Big day for Conrath, UVa special teams

Defensive end Matt Conrath, a redshirt freshman, recorded his first career sack and field goal block against Richmond.

Conrath was strong throughout the contest, with seven total tackles (six solo), two sacks, a pass knockdown and three tackles for a loss.

Nick Jenkins also had a field goal block for Virginia in the third quarter.

“Those were point erasers,” Virginia coach Al Groh said. “That’s why I put such an emphasis on it in practice this week, we went live two days on our field goal block.”

The two-block night was Virginia’s first since the Cavaliers matchup with North Carolina in 2000, when Monsanto Pope and Evan Routzahn had a block each against the Tar Heels.

Hall flashes playmaking ability

Junior cornerback Vic Hall yanked down an interception with 2:08 to play against Richmond and sprinted 60 yards for an insurance touchdown that gave Virginia a 16-point lead and all but secured a shutout for Virginia.

The pick was the second of Hall’s career — he hauled an interception in against Miami last year — and it was also the second touchdown of his career. His first came against Pittsburgh in 2007 when he scored on a fake field goal.

Hall had two solo tackles against Richmond as well.