Big second half helps Duke end 25-game ACC drought

By Doug Doughty

DURHAM, N.C.

Virginia quarterback Marc Verica had just been intercepted for the fourth time and a Cavaliers fan behind the team's bench could not contain her disgust any longer.

"This is shameful," she called out in a shrieking voice, and no one thought to differ with her.

At a venue where it has enjoyed many slaughters over the years, Virginia was the victim Saturday as Duke ended a 25-game ACC losing streak, 31-3, at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Duke had lost 62 of its previous 65 conference games, but Virginia was in need of pity after being outscored 28-0 in the second half.

The Cavaliers (1-3, 0-1 ACC) were the superior team in the first half and led 3-0 before Duke (3-1, 1-0) tied the score on a 20-yard Nick Maggio field goal with one second remaining before halftime.

However, the tone had been set when the Cavaliers' first three drives stalled at the Duke 32-, 15- and 20-yard lines. All they had to show for their early proficiency was a 33-yard Yannick Reyering field goal with 4:36 remaining in the first quarter.

"If you don't take control of the game, the game eventually gets away from you," U.Va. coach Al Groh said. "We had the opportunity there to take control of the game. I'm not saying lasting control but we certainly had a chance to have 10 (or) 17 points at that particular point."

For the game, U.Va. penetrated the Duke 40-yard line on seven possessions and outgained the Blue Devils 304-258. Total offense in the first quarter was 126-19 in the Cavaliers' favor.

The Cavaliers have four touchdowns in four games, two against Division I-AA Richmond, and one of those was an interception return. Virginia's three quarterbacks have failed to throw a touchdown pass but have thrown 10 interceptions.

Verica made his second start Saturday in place of Peter Lalich, presumably headed to Oregon State. Lalich, the starter in U.Va.'s first two games was dismissed from the team Sept. 18 for violation of his probation on an alcohol charge. Verica completed seven of his first nine passes Saturday but had a role in a critical fumble as the Cavaliers were facing a third-and-3 from the Duke 41 late in the second quarter.

There was a glitch in the center-quarterback exchange and Verica hurriedly tried to swing a pass to running back Keith Payne. The ball hit Payne in the shoulder and, when officials ruled it a backward pass, Duke's Michael Tauiliili was able to recover.

That turnover didn't prove costly, but Duke later was able to get in position for a tying field goal after U.Va. punt returner Vic Hall passed up a fair catch and the Blue Devils were able to pin the Cavaliers at their 1.

Earlier, Virginia had been unable to capitalize on several short Duke punts that bounced in front of Hall and rolled past him.

"It's one of those ironic things," Groh said. "Bad (Duke) punts gave us bad field position."

"The common thing was bad decisions," said Verica, who finished 19 of 42 for 194 yards. "I wish I could have some of those throws back. We were down so much and I was just trying to force something. That's something I can't do in the future."

The Cavaliers meet Maryland this week in the first of three home games. It will be interesting to see how Groh is received at Scott Stadium after chants of "Fire Groh" and "Overpaid" were heard from the U.Va. section Saturday.

"Every team (and) every person in life faces adversity," Groh said. "The first way you overcome that is with positive energy. This bus is going in a forward direction and we're going to have those guys on the bus who are of that mentality."