Hall's big day further muddles Cavs' QB picture

BLACKSBURG

Virginia fans waited four years to see Vic Hall at quarterback. Will they see him there again next season?

Virginia coach Al Groh was not in the mood to speculate Saturday after the Cavaliers' 17-14 loss to Virginia Tech.

"Where all of that goes we'll just have to see," Groh said.

Hall ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns in desperation duty, moving over from his starting cornerback spot in an attempt to revive the moribund Cavalier offense.

With more practice reps and more of the playbook at his disposal, fans are certain to be curious about what the record-setting high school quarterback could do under center, especially with incumbent quarterback Marc Verica struggling over the final month.

Verica threw seven interceptions in the final three games, including a costly one in the fourth quarter Saturday. A redshirt sophomore, he has two more years of eligibility. Hall has one, as does Jameel Sewell, who was last year's starter but missed this season because of academic issues. Sewell is expected to return in 2009.

Verica said he hopes to learn from his recent mistakes and is looking forward to competing with Sewell next year. He also said he hopes Hall can also be used at quarterback.

Groh has been increasingly critical of Verica's penchant for throwing interceptions. He finished with 16.

Asked what Verica can do to recover from his recent struggles, Groh had a brief answer.

"Dr. Phil," he said, without smiling.

Beamer proud of how Hokies kept battling

Virginia won five games by two points or fewer last year to set an NCAA record. Virginia Tech's average margin of decision (win or loss) this year is 7.3 points - the lowest in the country.

"I firmly believe we had the roughest, toughest schedule we have had in years," coach Frank Beamer said.

Tech had not trailed Virginia at the half since 1997.

"We hung in there and battled," Beamer said. "We found a way and never gave up."

NOTABLE...

Hall's 109 yards rushing were the most by a Virginia quarterback since Marques Hagans ran for 110 against Syracuse in 2005.... Virginia safety Byron Glaspy made a game-high 15 tackles in his final college game.... Tyrod Taylor's 73-yard run just after halftime was the longest against Virginia in five years. Maryland's Josh Allen had an 80-yard run in 2003.... Tech's Darren Evans picked up 72 yards to break Kevin Jones' freshman rushing record of 951, which had stood since 2001. Evans has 998 yards on the season.

Ed Miller, 757-446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com