It wasn’t perfect, but the Wahoos handled VMI 48-7 in a soupy, hotter than the hinges of hell atmosphere in Charlottesville. Raynard Horne ran back a kickoff for a TD, and Virginia gained nearly 500 yards of offense against the pesky Keydets.
Marc Verica was one of 3 UVA QB’s that saw the field for the Wahoos, and he was 16/23 for 224 yards and 3 TD’s. Backup’s Ross Metheny (4/5, 53 yards, 1TD, 1 INT) and freshman Michael Rocco (4/6, 64 yards, 1TD) also saw action for the Hoos today in relief of the starter Verica.
Wide receiver Kris Burd looked fantastic today, and at many times he appeared to be the most talented player on the field. Burd had a huge game for UVA as he finished with 8 receptions for 119 yards and one touchdown. He really made some outstanding "hands catches" that simply delighted the sweaty Wahoo faithful.
Tailback Perry Jones carried the ball 9 times for 57 yards, but most of that was on one carry for 30. Keith Payne accounted for the bulk of the work at tailback and he finished with 12 carries for 72 yards and 2 TD’s.
On defense the Hoos (2-1) looked a little confounded by VMI (1-2) in the first quarter, but settled down (obviously) and was able to shut down VMI’s pro-style offense. Chase Minnifield had two interceptions for the Hoos, but he also muffed a punt that he lost in the scorching sun that gave VMI great field position early in the contest, but their field goal kicker was wide right. Ras-I Dowling looked a bit rusty coming off a hamstring injury, but he did see the field for the first time this season.
Rodney McLeod also saw his first action for the Hoos this season, as he has been battling a pesky knee injury all summer.
Kicker Robert Randolph got his season turned around as he scored 12 points for Virginia going 2/2 kicking fields goals, and was perfect on his PAT’s (6-6).
2-1 Virginia returns to the gridiron Saturday as the mighty Jimbo Fisher coached Seminoles of Florida State come to town. Virginia’s Associate AD Jon Oliver has asked that fans wear white to the game Saturday. Doesn’t he know that you aren’t supposed to wear white after Labor Day? 🙂 Rumor has it that every fan in attendance Saturday will be handed a white t-shirt at the gates of Scott Stadium.
Go Hoos, beat the damn Hokies!
