The road just got harder as Cavs sputter and stall out

CHARLOTTESVILLE

We're beyond the point in this football season where Virginia should be graded on a curve.

After a fairly stunning 4-0 October, since all that's happened to turn around their season, the Cavaliers deserve no attaboys for effort, enthusiasm or keeping the game close.

They don't expect any, either.

Al Groh's team proved it's better than it looked in the 24-17 loss to Miami on Saturday, a game that was close only because the Cavaliers wouldn't put it away.

"It was kind of like sand in our hands," said Groh. "We had it, but we couldn't wrap our hands around it.

Anything can happen in overtime, but the game needed extra plays because U.Va.'s offense didn't do enough with its chances in regulation, especially in the third quarter, when two Miami turnovers in Hurricane territory yielded zero points for U.Va.

"We would move the ball," said tight end John Phillips, "but we stalled out."

Marc Verica, who rebounded from a calamitous introduction to the ACC at Duke to become U.Va.'s guiding hand, suffered through an unsatisfying game, overthrowing too many receivers as the Cavaliers failed on 11 of 14 third-down conversions.

Verica almost redeemed himself when he scrambled within range of a long field goal in the final minute of a tie game, only to have a Miami defender strip him of the ball at the 32.

"Unacceptable," he said of his fumble. "Whoever carries the ball is carrying it for all the players and coaches."

The same sentiment applies to blocking, but the offensive line couldn't move Miami's defense in the second half, allowing it to gum up the Cavaliers' running game.

The defense has been a rock in recent weeks, and was against Miami for most of the game, but when freshman quarterback Jacory Harris needed to move the Hurricanes 95 yards in the fourth quarter, U.Va. couldn't reach him with its rush or knock down enough of his passes.

Place-kicker Yannick Reyering got in on the act, too, missing from 38 yards in the third quarter, and again from 47 in the fourth when a botched snap threw off his timing.

Recent form also deserted U.Va. in overtime when Cedric Peerman broke through the line for a 10-yard run, only to cough up the ball to Miami after a hard hit.

"You can count on two fingers," said Groh, "the fumbles Cedric's had."

The result of this game, Groh said, is "heartbreaking to our team. There are real raw emotions in the locker room."

The emotions are justified because the Cavaliers didn't play themselves into a conference contender by losing fourth quarters. U.Va. can still win the Coastal Division, but with two of its last three regular-season games away from Scott Stadium, the road just got harder.

How this game played out took U.Va. by surprise. The Cavaliers expect to be on the winning side of tension-filled adventures. Last season was full of narrow escapes, while in back-to-back victories over North Carolina and Georgia Tech this year, U.Va. rose to the occasion down the stretch.

Verica was clutch in both games, but Saturday he sat in the interview room with downcast eyes, blaming himself for not doing more.

"When you don't take control of the game, that's what happens - the other team does," he said.

It won't be easy, but U.Va. still can, at least control, what lies ahead - a trip next Saturday to Wake Forest, followed by a home game against Clemson and a visit to Virginia Tech.

Against Miami, U.Va. failed to wrap its hands around victory. It's too soon to presume, though, that a team that was 4-0 in October will allow the rest of the season to slip through its fingers.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373 or bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com