Cavs face uncertain reception in first home game in a month

By Doug Doughty

When the University of Virginia football team plays at home tonight for the first time in 28 days, there's no telling what sort of reception it will receive.

U.Va. fans might be as hostile as the opposing Maryland Terrapins.

At one point, the Cavaliers were going to be the object of a "Sea of Blue" protest initiated by the Student Council. That was until Virginia's athletic department on Thursday repealed a ban against signs, banners and flags.

The Student Council, which had encouraged students to dress in blue rather than their customary orange, subsequently reported on its Web site that the protest was being dropped.

"The student body at large, through over 800 votes in our on-line poll and countless other measures, has rekindled an important spirit and passion with the student fan base," read a posting Friday.

"Council reiterates its position that students should be the primary force for shaping the atmosphere at Scott Stadium and other Virginia athletic venues."

Now that signs have been become acceptable again, the question becomes, how far can they go? Apparently, there's no limit.

In its new policy, U.Va. said nothing about content, only that it couldn't impede another fan's view, cover signage or be attached to the stadium.

If people want to bash head coach Al Groh, there's nothing to stop them.

Although Virginia Tech and other ACC programs do not allow signs at football games, Virginia did not have a policy until student David Becker showed up for last year's Virginia-Duke game with a "Fire Groh" sign.

Groh went on to be named ACC cCach of the Year, but criticism of him has been renewed during a 1-3 start this year, which included Duke's first ACC win after 25 consecutive league losses.

The Maryland game starts a three-game homestand that could go a long way toward determining Groh's future. His $2 million-per-year contract has three more years to run after this season, but a buyout would not be unprecedented. U.Va. bought out the final six seasons of basketball coach Pete Gillen's contract after the 2004-2005 season.

The Cavaliers have lost five straight Division I-A games, dating to 2007, but just as glaring is the way U.Va. has lost. Southern California, Connecticut and Duke outscored Virginia 128-20.

U.Va. has scored four touchdowns - one by the defense - and is the only team among the nation's 119 Division I-A schools with no touchdown passes.

To make matters worse, senior offensive guard Zak Stair has a knee injury that will prevent him from playing today. His replacement, Austin Pasztor, is a 17-year-old redshirt freshman.

U.Va.'s injury list also includes four running backs. Keith Payne and Max Milien are out, and Cedric Peerman and Raynard Horne are "questionable."

That's not good news for a team whose longest run of the season was a 22-yard burst by fullback Rashawn Jackson last week.