Groh: Injuries limit Sewell's effectiveness

By Doug Doughty

CHARLOTTESVILLE

As a passer, Jameel Sewell has been plagued by wildness at times, but opponents generally have had to his honor his running ability.

Sewell has had as many as 23 rushes in a game this season, but the Cavaliers (3-5, 2-2 ACC) have gone in another direction in recent weeks with losses to Georgia Tech and Duke. And not by design, either.

"You saw a circumstance with him at Maryland when he couldn't finish the game," said U.Va. coach Al Groh, referring to an Oct. 17 contest in College Park, Md., won by the Cavaliers 20-9. "Clearly, that has impacted the wisdom of using him too much or his quickness or willingness to do so."

Before an earlier game, Sewell had been listed as probable because of a previously undisclosed ankle injury. He aggravated that in the second half at Maryland and was on crutches for the final quarter.

"He spent the better part of the last few weeks kind of limping through the week," Groh said. "We've been happy to have him on Saturdays, actually."

It is difficult to assess what kind of impact the injury has had on Sewell's throwing. He was 8 for 22 for 107 yards Saturday in a 28-17 loss to Duke.

"I don't know what it has done as far as Saturday is concerned, but it certainly has had him practice a different way during the course of the week, if it doesn't bother him," Groh said. "He hasn't been able to step into some of the throws as he would if he wasn't nursing this thing along."

Sewell's latest outing has left him with 4,865 yards for his career. Marques Hagans stands fifth on U.Va.'s all-time list with 4,877 yards, a spot ahead of Sewell. Aaron Brooks is fourth at 5,118.

Not enough help

Virginia was trailing 25-17 when Sewell uncorked a bomb that went through the hands of Jared Green at the Duke 15-yard line. It was unclear if a defender had gotten a hand on the ball.

"It looked like it was a catchable ball," said Groh after viewing film. Dropped passes have been an issue in each of Virginia's successive losses.

Groh's future

Groh, whose team has lost 9 of 12 games dating to 2008, was asked Sunday night what he would say to the people who are calling for a coaching change.

"I don't have anything to say," said Groh, who paused for about four seconds before adding. "I know a lot more about the situation than probably anybody. Maybe some day I'll say what that is."

Upcoming games

Starting time for Virginia's game Saturday at Miami has been set for noon at Land Shark Stadium. U.Va. thumped the Hurricanes in Miami's final game at the Orange Bowl, 48-0, in 1997.... Virginia's Nov. 14 home game against Boston College, will kick off at 3:30 p.m.