Losing Hurts ... but, the fight is still there ... better days are ahead!

As I went into the Clemson game, I still maintained my always optimistic outlook. After 10 games this season, I do not want to go down without a fight. Furthermore, I know the UVa team will not as well. That being said, the day and setting was perfect in Clemson's version of death valley.

Walking into the stadium, you could sense a great deal of Clemson pride as their own version of Orange flooded the area. For that, I respect them greatly. However, I did sense Clemson's excitement does cross the line of extreme arrogance and can eventually be the downfall of that program.

Going into the game, it appeared after an early fumble, we were doomed. But, the offense fought back with some outside the box play calling to go into the half with 21 points and only being down by 3. We even scored with no time left on the clock to end the half. For me, I was feeling deja vu from 2007. I was sure the second half would bring more. I was more than confident the defense could adjust and hold Clemson.

What happened was only 40 yards of offense for the Cavaliers and Clemson did enough to maintain their lead. Yes, another loss as the season draws near was certainly depressing and frustrating. But, I must admit ... I have nothing but respect for this team. Their heads are held high with pride and after all that has happened this season, they are still fighting.

With that spirit, I will take my chances against Va Tech. With that spirit, I know better days are ahead. You don't go through these moments without a turn back to where you came from. As a work colleague (who is a Clemson grad) ... UVa is a down a bit, but they will be back.

Yes we will ....

MEANWHILE, we need a spring board to get back .... what better than this upcoming Saturday!

Go Hoos!

Heartbreaking ....

Well, Saturday appeared to be setting up for the perfect script. The defense had done their part and the offense had one last chance to win the game. As we closed inside the red zone with no timeouts left, it appeared as though fate was finally on our side. Then on a 3rd down play, Jackson caught a pass and took it down to about the 12 yard line. With a 4th and 1, we had to get the first down with short time left on the clock. Sewell lines up in the shotgun and scrambles up the middle .... Yes, it appeared he got the first down and the team was lining up to spike the ball to stop the clock. Then, a readjustment sent the events on a downward spiral. The spot was short, the review upheld the spot (I am mean, no surprise there ... don't want the game to hinge on the reverse of a bullshit call, like the many before it on Saturday). You could see the frustration overcome Jameel Sewell ... and I must admit rightfully so.

I sinking feeling dropped rapidly through my body. This one truly hurt. The bowl chance was officially over and the last meaningful chance at a end of season run was halted. BC found a way to do it again to me. The season is proving to be a true test of wills for me. Yet, my love for UVa will not let me relent in my journey. It does not get any easier with Clemson next, but there is one thing for certain, the team still wants to win and I have no doubts they will do everything in the power to try and win.

The true champion finds a way to handle adversity and make the most out of it ... in the long term as well as the long term.

As far as the heartbreak ... its over, ON TO CLEMSON.


JW

BC - I just don't like them, so we MUST BEAT THEM!

Growing up, I have always had a dislike for Boston College. Maybe its the view that they are always purport to be the Notre Dame of the East. Nevertheless, I will admit, they have been successful on the football field. They always win, when you don't want them to and they always lose when you need their help.

Going forward, it is all relative. Tomorrow, the UVa Football program needs this victory. There is plenty of football left. Redemption is still on the radar screen. Time to let it roll.

Go Hoos!

I push on ... life will not allow me to quit!

As I completed the 10th week of football with an ass whipping by the Hurricanes, I find my Cavaliers stumpling to a 3-6 record. This was far from what I thought the team would be at this point in the season. In fact, I have caught a serious amount of grief for my pre-season talk. However, I would not take any of it back. I stand by my belief in the Cavaliers. Unfortunately, this season has morphed into the final referendum on the Al Groh tenure. Much of the season has been spent since the William and Mary loss talking about replacement opportunities. I tried my best not to partake, because I wanted to stay behind the team and the players.

As we enter the BC week, all signs point to a continued downward spiral for the Cavaliers. But does it? Oddly, this season has been grouped in a series of 3's. We started 0-3. We then went 3-0. Then back to 0-3. So with 3 games left does it mean we got 3-0. Well, only the good Lord knows. Can we? Absolutely! We will have to find our way again. Since even the Maryland Game, our offense has been sputtering. We would need to scored at the level we did at Southern Miss and Indiana. If we performed at that level the last 3 games, our defense would most definitely do their part and 3-0 to finish the season would be plausible.

My fear is the spirit of the team has been broken. I say to the team, life does not stop for us and the last 3 games could truly show your redemptive spirit. A lot has happened to UVa football over the past 3 years since the Gator Bowl. There will likely be major changes with the team on the horizon. However, meanwhile, the perfect medicine would be a strong finish. It would give the players and coaches a since of purpose. It would catapult the team confidently into next season irregardless of the coaching situation. It would allow one to walk away with dignity as it would personify the fighting spirit.

Lastly and most importantly, it would allow a school so desperately hurting and football heart broken, to conquor VA TECH. This would be a win that could start to heal the generational rifts and start the re-building of UVa Football.

IF IT WAS EASY, EVERYONE WOULD DO IT

Well, the Miami week is here! This was to be overly exciting for me. I was returning to South Florida for the first time since I left. UVa was going back to scene of their absolutely skutching of the Canes ... the magic of 2007 would be rekindled with Sewell and Simpson leading the offense. Yet, after 2 straight losses and a home loss to Duke, it makes this trip have an extra layer of complexity instead of anticipation. Nevertheless, I see no need to brood or bail. If the current trend holds, it definitely will make the Quest harder to find enthusiasm. Yet that is the mere view of outsiders. As far as the challenge, I will seek it face to face. I am confident my cavaliers can do the same. Its time to play the game and see how it shakes out.

GO HOOS!

Ouch! This is Frustrating

I vowed at the start of the season to ensure no matter what happens in the win/loss column, that I would enjoy this experience. To that end, I have and will continue to do so. But, on the other hand, as an alumni and season ticket holder, I am extremely frustrated. I very much believe in this team and their talent. However, watching them play, it seems like a bit of confusion has seeped into the team. This has been the norm over the past two years. I am absolutely tired of seeing our team squander chances to win meaningful conference games. Over the past 3 years (this one included) we were set to finish October with a chance to win the Coastal, and we have not. This must end! We must get back to winning. It can start with outside of the box thinking in our remaining games. Time to maximize the talent and build to next year, irregardless of how the coaching situation shakes out. Meanwhile, its on to Miami with that premise that in College Football and especially, the ACC .... anything can happen!!

Come on Hoos!!!