U.Va.'s Long is back, ex-roommate enjoys a big game

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Clint Sintim leveled serious-sounding allegations Saturday in the aftermath of Virginia's 31-0 victory against Maryland.

Ex-Cavalier All-American Chris Long, who has been involved in several of the promotions for U.Va.'s "Power of Orange" campaign, was wearing one of Sintim's No. 51 jerseys as he raised a "Power of Orange" flag before the game.

"He stole it," Sintim said with mock indignation. "I'm telling you: He's a thief. You'd think, with all the money he makes, that he wouldn't have to steal."

In reality, Sintim was honored by the gesture.

"That was cool," said Sintim, who roomed with Long, the 2007 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. "I figured I would return the favor."

Long, the No. 2 pick in April's NFL draft, is starting at defensive end for the St. Louis Rams but had an open date last week.

"We were going back and forth during the game," Sintim said. "I told him, 'If I have a chance, I'll throw up an L for you.'"

Sintim, a fifth-year outside linebacker, got his ACC-leading fifth sack in the third quarter. He cocked his left arm in the shape of an "L," a gesture Long used for a brief time in 2007.

The ACC eventually warned U.Va. that Sintim might be assessed a penalty if he was thought to be bringing attention to himself, but nothing in the rules covers a tribute to an ex-teammate.

Fittingly, Sintim's sack was the 22nd of his career, tying him with Long for seventh on Virginia's all-time list.

More numerology

U.Va. fans had to do a double-take Saturday when they saw No. 28 making tackles and breaking up passes. The only 28 on the roster was Eric Thornton, a freshman receiver from Richmond.

Unlike the rest of the players, the 28 on the field did not have a name on his jersey. Turns out, it was Rodney McLeod, a true freshman.

McLeod was credited with one pass break-up and three unassisted tackles, not all of them as 28. He began the game as 26 but had to change when officials realized McLeod and U.Va.'s other 26, Cary Koch, were on the same special-teams unit.

The only restriction against duplicate numbers is that the players cannot be on the field at the same time. Safety Byron Glaspy and receiver Staton Jobe both wore 22 as 2007 starters, but there was never a mix-up.

"I'm not sure what number I'll be wearing now; they haven't told me," McLeod said.

Waterboy

A 7 p.m. kickoff and temperatures in the 60s virtually guaranteed that Virginia would not experience the cramping issues that sidelined Sintim and cornerback Ras-I Dowling for 21 plays in a 31-3 loss to Duke, but the Cavaliers left nothing to chance Saturday.

"I drank enough water for at least four or five people," said Sintim, who confessed that he made frequent trips to the rest room. "I was taking fluids all day.

"My strength coach, coach (Matt) Balis, every opportunity he had, he was on my back, (saying) 'Drink water, drink water' - and throwing Gatorades in my pocket."

Quick kicks

McLeod played 36 plays Saturday, mostly when the Cavaliers used six defensive backs. Linebacker Jon Copper, the team's leading tackler, came off the field in specialty situations and played only 28 plays.... Start times for Virginia's three-game homestand have run the gamut. Saturday's game against East Carolina (3-2) kicks off at noon; the Oct. 18 date with North Carolina is scheduled for 3:30p.m....Defensive line coach Levern Belin was on the field Saturday after spending U.Va.'s first four games in the press box. U.Va. had three assistants on the field and six in the box for its first four games.