UVa opens practice

With its stiffest season-opening clash in two decades on the docket at the end of the month, the University of Virginia’s football team kicked off training camp Monday evening at its practice facility.

The Cavaliers, on the heels of a nine-win season and a trip to the Gator Bowl, have their share of questions and positions of interest to address during the three weeks of camp that lead up to an opening date with national-title contending Southern California on Aug. 30.

Virginia’s coaching staff and players will not hit full stride — nor don full pads — during the first four sessions, all of which are closed to the public. UVa coach Al Groh prefers to keep the early sessions off limits as a large collection of players balance practice time while completing final exams during summer school’s final session.

Practice is open, however, at 8:35 a.m. Saturday and the program will hold the annual Meet the Team Day festivities for fans at Scott Stadium at 3 p.m. Sunday.