2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team (original) (raw)

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American college football season

2008 Virginia Cavaliers football
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Division	Coastal
Record	5–7 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach	Al Groh (8th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Groh (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	West Coast
Defensive coordinator	Bob Pruett (1st season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Scott Stadium(Capacity: 61,500)
Seasons← 20072009 →

2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings | vte | Conf | Overall | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ------- | - | - | | | -- | - | - | | | Team | | W | | L | | | W | | L | | | Atlantic Division | | | | | | | | | | | | Boston College xy | | 5 | – | 3 | | | 9 | – | 5 | | | No. 21 Florida State x | | 5 | – | 3 | | | 9 | – | 4 | | | Maryland | | 4 | – | 4 | | | 8 | – | 5 | | | Wake Forest | | 4 | – | 4 | | | 8 | – | 5 | | | Clemson | | 4 | – | 4 | | | 7 | – | 6 | | | NC State | | 4 | – | 4 | | | 6 | – | 7 | | | Coastal Division | | | | | | | | | | | | No. 15 Virginia Tech xy$ | | 5 | – | 3 | | | 10 | – | 4 | | | No. 22 Georgia Tech x | | 5 | – | 3 | | | 9 | – | 4 | | | North Carolina | | 0 | – | 4 | | | 0 | – | 5 | | | Miami (FL) | | 4 | – | 4 | | | 7 | – | 6 | | | Virginia | | 3 | – | 5 | | | 5 | – | 7 | | | Duke | | 1 | – | 7 | | | 4 | – | 8 | | | Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | $ – BCS representative as conference championx – Division champion/co-championsy – Championship game participantNorth Carolina vacated 8 wins, including 4 ACC winsRankings from AP Poll | | | | | | | | | | |

The 2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was Virginia's 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Cavaliers were led by head coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The 2008 preseason began in early January, with the loss of starting quarterback Jameel Sewell due to academic ineligibility as well as three other players who were not enrolled for the Spring 2008 semester; junior cornerback Chris Cook, freshman wide receiver Chris Dalton and freshman linebacker Darnell Carter.[1]

In February 2008, defensive back Mike Brown was arrested by UVa police and charged with one count each of grand larceny, possession of stolen property with intent to sell, altering serial numbers, and possession of marijuana. Al Groh said of the situation, "At this time we are currently gathering the facts. In view of the nature of the allegation, Mike Brown is not participating with the program at this time."[2] Also in February, defensive end Jeffery Fitzgerald left the school, and subsequently the team, after allegations of honor code violations; the university stating that, "Fitzgerald is no longer enrolled and will never play again for the 'Hoos."[3][4]

Peter Lalich controversy

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On July 24, 2008, Peter Lalich, quarterback, was charged with unlawful purchase and possession of alcohol, a misdemeanor. Coach Groh would not comment on the charge, and stated that any disciplinary action would be dealt with internally, within the team. Lalich's case has been continued until July 21, 2009, at which point his charges will be dropped should he avoid further trouble.[5]

On September 5, 2008, it was reported that Lalich had admitted to court officials that he had used marijuana and alcohol while on supervised probation. The voluntary admission came during a regular probation interview with officials from the office of Offender Aid and Restoration/Virginia Alcohol Safety Program. He was scheduled for a hearing on September 26.[6] On September 10, 2008, the Virginia's sports information office announced that Lalich would not be starting in the September 13 game against the University of Connecticut.[7]

On Thursday, September 18, Lalich admitted that he had violated the terms of his probation.[8] Later the same day, he was dismissed from the Cavalier football team.[9] In a statement, UVA Athletic Director Craig Littlepage said, "We have supported Peter, but believe today a point has been reached where it’s best for all concerned that [Peter] no longer participate on the team. This is my decision, and it has support of head football coach Al Groh. We wish Peter the best in the future."[10]

[11]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	3:30 pm	No. 2 USC*	Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA	ABC	L 7–52	64,947
September 6	3:45 pm	Richmond*	Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA	ESPNU	W 16–0	51,007
September 13	7:30 pm	at Connecticut*	Rentschler FieldEast Hartford, CT	ESPNU	L 10–45	40,000[12]
September 27	12:00 pm	at Duke	Wallace Wade StadiumDurham, NC	ESPNU	L 3–31	25,527
October 4	7:00 pm	Maryland	Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA (rivalry)	ESPNU	W 31–0	50,727
October 11	12:00 pm	East Carolina*	Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA	Raycom	W 35–20	52,398
October 18	3:30 pm	No. 18 North Carolina	Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry)	ABC	W 16–13 OT	52,342
October 25	3:30 pm	at No. 18 Georgia Tech	Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA	ESPNU	W 24–17	47,416
November 1	12:00 pm	Miami	Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA	Raycom	L 17–24 OT	53,308
November 8	3:30 pm	at Wake Forest	BB&T FieldWinston-Salem, NC	ESPNU	L 17–28	34,014
November 22	12:00 pm	Clemson	Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA	Raycom	L 3–13	51,979
November 29	12:00 pm	at Virginia Tech	Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup)	ESPN	L 14–17	66,233
*Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern time

2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team roster
Players	Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB Marc Verica	Defense Pos. # Name Class	Special teams Pos. # Name Class	Head coach Al Groh Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

College recruiting information (2008)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Larry Richardson jr ATH	Chicago, IL	Von Stuben H.S	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	145 lb (66 kg)	4.41	Dec 11, 2007
Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2008 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

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The No. 3 ranked Trojans scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to beat the Cavaliers to win the first game of the season. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 338 yards, CJ Gable ran for 73 yards, and Ronald Johnson had 78 yards in receiving. The second half was all USC, with UVA turning over the ball three times.

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | -------- | -- | - | -- | ----- | ------ | | USC | 21 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 52 | | Virginia | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | ------------ | - | - | - | ----- | ------ | | Richmond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Virginia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 16 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | --------------- | - | -- | -- | ----- | ------ | | Virginia | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | | Connecticut | 7 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 45 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | -------- | - | - | -- | ----- | ------ | | Virginia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | | Duke | 0 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 31 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | ------------ | - | -- | -- | ----- | ------ | | Maryland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Virginia | 7 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 31 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | ------------- | - | -- | - | ----- | ------ | | East Carolina | 6 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 20 | | Virginia | 7 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 35 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | | | -------------- | - | - | - | -- | ----- | ------ | | North Carolina | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 | | Virginia | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | ------------ | -- | - | - | ----- | ------ | | Virginia | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 | | Georgia Tech | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 |

[13]

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | | | --------- | -- | - | - | -- | ----- | ------ | | Miami | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 24 | | Virginia | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | --------------- | -- | -- | - | ----- | ------ | | Virginia | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 | | Wake Forest | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | ----------- | - | - | - | ----- | ------ | | Clemson | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 | | Virginia | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | | ----------------- | - | - | - | ----- | ------ | | Virginia | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | | Virginia Tech | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |

Ranking movements

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | | --------- | - | - | - | ----- | | Virginia | | | | 0 | | Opponents | | | | 0 |

| Name | GP-GS | Effic | Att-Cmp-Int | Pct | Yds | TD | Lng | Avg/G | | | ------------- | ----- | ----- | ----------- | --- | --- | -- | --- | ----- | | | Total | | | | | | | | | | | Opponents | | | | | | | | | |

| Name | GP-GS | No. | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G | | | | --------------------------- | ----- | --- | ---- | ---- | -- | ---- | ----- | | | | Total Darrin Washington | 12-12 | 17 | 1399 | 13.4 | 11 | 109 | 109.9 | | | | Opponents | | | | | | | | | |

1. ^ Kilgore, Adam (January 18, 2008). "U-Va.'s Sewell Not Enrolled For the Spring". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
2. ^ "UVA Football Player Arrested". WSLS-TV. March 3, 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
3. ^ Hudtloff, Marty. "Fitzgerald Leaves University of Virginia". WVIR-TV. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
4. ^ Kilgore, Adam (August 4, 2008). "Five Questions for Virginia". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
5. ^ White, Jeff (July 24, 2008). "U.Va. QB Lalich Charged with Alcohol Possession". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
6. ^ McKenzie, Bryan (September 5, 2008). "More Charges for UVa's Lalich". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
7. ^ Doughty, Doug (September 10, 2008). "UVa QB Lalich Won't Play Saturday". The Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
8. ^ "UVa Dismisses Lalich from Team". The Daily Press. Newport News. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2008.[_permanent dead link_‍]
9. ^ "UVA QB Lalich off the team". ESPN. September 18, 2008. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
10. ^ White, Jeff (September 18, 2008). "U.Va. Football Team Dismisses QB Lalich". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 18, 2008. [_dead link_‍]
11. ^ "Football - 2008 Schedule / Scores". VirginiaSports.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
12. ^ "Game Summary - Connecticut vs. Virginia Game Date: 09/13/08". NCAA. September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
13. ^ "Virginia Upsets #18 Georgia Tech". WCAV-TV. October 25, 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2008.