The Cavaliers lost to the Golden Eagles at home 30-24 Saturday, yet another disappointing setback as Mike London tries to build the Cavalier program back to being a consistent bowl team.
It seems as if Virginia has been able to play good in spurts this year, but just hasn't been able to put several quarters together. After Southern Miss scored its first TD, Virginia scored a TD, the defense stopped the Eagles, and the Cavaliers scored another one. At that point, the defense had stiffened and the offense was rolling. I was thinking that possibly UVa was on its way to a comfortable win. But it was not to be as Virginia's defense gave up over 200 yards passing to Eagles QB Austin Davis and UVa QB Michael Rocco threw two INTs in the first half as Southern Miss took a 21-13 lead into the locker room.
I also think that the two-point conversion try after UVa's first touchdown was a bad decision. Virginia still held a lead at 13-7, but I think there is a psychological difference between leading 14-7 and 13-7, especially when the reason the team has 13 points is a botched two-point conversion attempt. The rest of the game, Virginia was playing catch up. And I guess it didn't matter on the scoreboard in the end, because Virginia made a two-point try on a great play by freshman QB David Watford to get with three at 27-24 in the fourth quarter, but still, I think the deficit the team was in for the game was bigger in its head than it was on the scoreboard because of that failed two-point try.
To its credit, Virginia never gave up in the second half, and the defense actually played quite well only giving up nine points, though I think some of that had to do with Southern Miss playing more conservatively. It should be noted that the defense did give up a long third-and-24 first down when a stop would have made the Golden Eagles punt and Virginia would have had the ball with presumably good field possession, down 27-24 with more than two minutes remaining. The defense failed to get USM off the field though, and the Eagles kicked a field goal and the situation for Virginia ended up being this: Down 30-24 with 1:31 left with the drive starting at its own 30. The Cavaliers did drive to the USM 49 on the final drive but Kris Burd dropped a fourth-and-short pass from Watford which was thrown a little behind him. Still, he must make that catch in that situation.
Rocco ended up throwing three INTs for the game and a couple of those were very Verica-esque. I had given him a pass on his INTs so far this season because some were receivers' faults and he had two at the end of the game against UNC when we were in desperation mode and the Heels knew we were going to pass. But a couple of his errant throws against the Eagles were quite ugly. Watford played the most he's ever played and looked impressive with a touchdown-scoring drive in the fourth quarter and that terrific two-point conversion to draw UVa within three points at 27-24. Rocco came out of the game at one point holding his arm in a funny way, so I wonder if that plus the INTs made the coaching staff decide to leave Watford out there. Perhaps they thought Rocco was just having a bad day and needed to take a step back and take a break. London has said this week that Rocco is the guy, but there are fan rumblings that perhaps the offense should be turned over to Watford. Rocco's line so far this year: 74 of 119 (62 percent), 792 yards, 1 touchdown and 7 INTs; Watford: 15 of 30 (50 percent), 145 yards, 1 touchdown, zero INTs.
Virginia looks good at times and at other times, doesn't look any better than last season. Hopefully though, cumulatively, the Cavs are making baby steps. Eventually, the steps need to turn into more wins.
It seems as if Virginia has been able to play good in spurts this year, but just hasn't been able to put several quarters together. After Southern Miss scored its first TD, Virginia scored a TD, the defense stopped the Eagles, and the Cavaliers scored another one. At that point, the defense had stiffened and the offense was rolling. I was thinking that possibly UVa was on its way to a comfortable win. But it was not to be as Virginia's defense gave up over 200 yards passing to Eagles QB Austin Davis and UVa QB Michael Rocco threw two INTs in the first half as Southern Miss took a 21-13 lead into the locker room.
I also think that the two-point conversion try after UVa's first touchdown was a bad decision. Virginia still held a lead at 13-7, but I think there is a psychological difference between leading 14-7 and 13-7, especially when the reason the team has 13 points is a botched two-point conversion attempt. The rest of the game, Virginia was playing catch up. And I guess it didn't matter on the scoreboard in the end, because Virginia made a two-point try on a great play by freshman QB David Watford to get with three at 27-24 in the fourth quarter, but still, I think the deficit the team was in for the game was bigger in its head than it was on the scoreboard because of that failed two-point try.
To its credit, Virginia never gave up in the second half, and the defense actually played quite well only giving up nine points, though I think some of that had to do with Southern Miss playing more conservatively. It should be noted that the defense did give up a long third-and-24 first down when a stop would have made the Golden Eagles punt and Virginia would have had the ball with presumably good field possession, down 27-24 with more than two minutes remaining. The defense failed to get USM off the field though, and the Eagles kicked a field goal and the situation for Virginia ended up being this: Down 30-24 with 1:31 left with the drive starting at its own 30. The Cavaliers did drive to the USM 49 on the final drive but Kris Burd dropped a fourth-and-short pass from Watford which was thrown a little behind him. Still, he must make that catch in that situation.
Rocco ended up throwing three INTs for the game and a couple of those were very Verica-esque. I had given him a pass on his INTs so far this season because some were receivers' faults and he had two at the end of the game against UNC when we were in desperation mode and the Heels knew we were going to pass. But a couple of his errant throws against the Eagles were quite ugly. Watford played the most he's ever played and looked impressive with a touchdown-scoring drive in the fourth quarter and that terrific two-point conversion to draw UVa within three points at 27-24. Rocco came out of the game at one point holding his arm in a funny way, so I wonder if that plus the INTs made the coaching staff decide to leave Watford out there. Perhaps they thought Rocco was just having a bad day and needed to take a step back and take a break. London has said this week that Rocco is the guy, but there are fan rumblings that perhaps the offense should be turned over to Watford. Rocco's line so far this year: 74 of 119 (62 percent), 792 yards, 1 touchdown and 7 INTs; Watford: 15 of 30 (50 percent), 145 yards, 1 touchdown, zero INTs.
Virginia looks good at times and at other times, doesn't look any better than last season. Hopefully though, cumulatively, the Cavs are making baby steps. Eventually, the steps need to turn into more wins.
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