UVa running game grinds to halt

Virginia’s ground game, touted as a strength in the offseason, certainly didn’t impress in the season opener — but that might be misleading for a couple of reasons considering the opponent.
The Cavaliers rushed for just 32 yards in their 52-7 loss to Southern California, Virginia’s lowest total since 2007’s debacle in Wyoming where the Cavs amassed just negative three yards. After the Wyoming contest, Virginia averaged almost 160 yards per game on the ground to finish out 2007.
The numbers may not be indicative of what Virginia will accomplish this season though with Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson in the fold. Few teams can pile up yards on Southern Cal. The Trojans gave up just 84.2 yards per game during 2007.
Secondly, Virginia came out on a mission to establish the passing game early, running just seven times in the first half for a single yard as they tried to scheme around the Trojans’ speed.
The Cavaliers showed more offset
I-formation packages in the second half than the spread-dominated look of the first half. Peerman rushed six times for 33 yards after the break as opposed to his two carries for negative one yard before the break, and a commitment to the rushing game could be in the cards.
Barbers return to Scott together
Former Cavalier greats Tiki and Ronde Barber were the promised special guests who raised Virginia’s new “The Power of Orange” flag prior to kickoff. It marked the first time the brothers have been together at Scott Stadium since their senior season in 1996.
Attendance record
Virginia set a new Scott Stadium attendance record with 64,947 packed in on Saturday evening. That surpasses the previous record of 63,701 set on November 13, 2004 against Miami. Virginia lost that contest, too, 31-21.
Green surprises with pair of catches
Virginia redshirt freshman Jared Green caught a pair of passes, including a very difficult first catch of his young career with a Southern Cal defender right in his face along the Virginia sideline.
Green yanked down the first two receptions of his career in the second half, totaling 25 yards on the two catches.
Green wasn’t the only receiver to put together a career high in production. Cary Koch hauled in three catches for 40 yards, all in the first half, including a 21-yarder that was Koch’s career long as a Cavalier. It was also Koch’s first career start.
Clark leaves with injury
Virginia linebacker Aaron Clark, who started opposite Clint Sintim, was helped off the field with a right knee injury in the third quarter and left the field after the game on crutches.
Teammates indicated that the injury did not appear to be season-ending, but more will be known after tests are conducted over the next few days.
The senior from Fairfield was credited with five total tackles, including a tackle for a loss, in the game.