2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team

Preseason

The Cavaliers and coach Al Groh face a pivotal season in 2007 as they attempt to overcome their losing record in 2006. While the defense made improvements under new coordinator Mike London, the offense struggled all season. In November 2006, Groh indicated that he was not ready to "anoint" Jameel Sewell, who started the final nine games of 2006, as the unquestioned quarterback for 2007.

The Cavaliers were a young team in 2006, leading Groh to joke that the 2007 team was playing the 2006 season. While Groh had frequently played true freshman in earlier seasons, sometime for very limited action, he redshirted the entire freshman class in 2006 except for defensive lineman Nate Collins. Several players from that class are expected to be contributors in 2007, in particular running back Keith Payne has generated excitement among fans. Several talented true freshmen, such as quarterback Peter Lalich, joined the team in 2007.

Schedule

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Coaching staff

Players

Recruiting

The Virginia Cavalier 2007 recruiting class consisted of 24 signed players. The class is headlined by quarterback Peter Lalich, outside linebacker J'Courtney Williams and wide receiver Dontrelle Inman. Overall, the 2007 Virginia recruiting class was ranked #25 by rivals.com and #32 by scout.com.

Roster

Virginia's first official depth chart for the 2007 football season was announced August 28, prior to the Cavaliers' season opener against Wyoming on September 1. Click here to see depth charts for each individual game.

Watch list

• Jameel Sewell
  • Davey O'Brien Award
• Chris Long
  • Pre–season All American
  • Mid–season All American (Rivals, Sports Illustrated, CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele's College Football Preview)
  • Outland Trophy
  • Lombardi Award
  • Chuck Bednarik Award
  • Bronko Nagurski Trophy
  • Ted Hendricks Award
  • Lott Trophy
• Tom Santi
  • John Mackey Award
  • Draddy Trophy – semi-finalist

Game summaries

Wyoming

With only 110 yards of total offense and just 7 yards on the ground, the Cavaliers were outmatched by a better-prepared Wyoming team.

Duke

Tight end Tom Santi scored two touchdowns and tailback Cedric Peerman ran for 137 yards with 1 touchdown. Quarterbacks Jameel Sewell and Peter Lalich platooned for 191 yards through the air and one touchdown.

North Carolina

Place kicker Chris Gould tied the school record held by Rafael Garcia (versus Virginia Tech, 1994) and Connor Hughes (versus Georgia Tech, 2003) by making five field goals and Cedric Peerman set a career-high in rushing for 186 yards and 1 touchdown on 30 carries. It represents the first road triumph since 2006's Sept. 30 victory at Duke and just the second since a Sept. 17, 2005, win at Syracuse.

Georgia Tech

Pittsburgh

Virginia dominated the first quarter jumping out to a 27–0 lead. Pittsburgh's offense sputtered throughout the contest allowing the Cavaliers to take advantage of excellent field position. Jameel Sewell went 16 of 31 for 169 yards and three touchdowns while Cedric Peerman continued excelling on the ground with 87 yards on 24 carries.

Middle Tennessee State

Place kicker Chris Gould kicked a 34 yard field goal with 8-seconds left to secure a last second victory. Virginia running backs combined for 151 yards on the ground while quarterback Jameel Sewell threw for 223 yards with an interception and a touchdown. Despite being huge underdogs, Middle Tennessee hung around the entire game and led by one late due to a blocked extra point. Virginia's decisive scoring drive started from their own 20 with less than two minutes to go and no time outs.

Connecticut

With a strong defensive effort, the Virginia Cavaliers held off the previously undefeated Connecticut Huskies 17-16. Despite a very poor outing from Jameel Sewell, the Cavs drove the length of the field with Chris Gould chipping in a 19 yard field goal to win the game. The win propelled Virginia to be ranked #24 in the Coaches Poll and #19 in the first BCS rankings for the first time in 3 years.

Maryland

In another last minute victory, tailback Mikell Simpson scored the game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds left. The play had to be reviewed by the officials due to the ball leaving Simpson's hands as he dove across the line, but the touchdown stood giving Virginia their seventh victory in a row. Defensive end Chris Long tackled Maryland quarterback Chris Turner in the end zone for a critical safety late in the third quarter bringing the Virginia deficit down to five.

N.C. State

N.C. State quarterback Daniel Evans threw for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns while wide receiver Donal Bowens was on the receiving end of 202 of those yards. Despite a poor performance from the Virginia defense, the Virginia offense still scraped together 24 points on a streaky night by quarterback Jameel Sewell.

Wake Forest

Miami

On an emotional night for the Miami Hurricanes as they played their last game in the historic Miami Orange Bowl, the Cavaliers dominated all facets of the game shutting out the home team 48-0. Quarterback Jameel Sewell completed 20 of 25 passes for 288 yards, threw for a touchdown and ran for one as well. Tailback Mikell Simpson contributed 93 yards and two one-yard touchdown carries. The Cavalier defense posted three interceptions, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, seven tackles for loss and a touchdown. The win set up a Thanksgiving match-up versus cross-state rival Virginia Tech playing for the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division title and the chance to play in the 3rd Annual Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game.

Virginia Tech

In a game with a trip to the conference championship game on the line, the Cavaliers fell flat against their in-state rivals Virginia Tech. Poor clock management and poor defense allowed Virginia Tech to exploit Virginia en route to an easy 33–21 win.

Gator Bowl – Texas Tech

Main article: 2008 Gator Bowl

Statistics

Team

|}

Scores by quarter

Offense

Rushing

Passing

Receiving

Defense

Special teams

After the season

Awards

• Al Groh
  • ACC Coach of the Year
• Chris Long
  • Unanimous All-American
    • Associated Press First-Team All America Team
    • Football Writers of America Association First-Team All-America Team
    • American Football Coaches Association First-Team All-America Team
    • Walter Camp Football Foundation First-Team All-America
    • The Sporting News First-Team All-America
  • CBSSports.com First-Team All-America
  • Rivals.com First-Team All-America
  • Ted Hendricks Award winner as the nation's top defensive end
  • First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference
  • Dudley Award winner as the top collegiate player in the state of Virginia
  • Richmond Touchdown Club Defensive Lineman of the Year
  • ACC Defensive Player of the Year
• Branden Albert
  • Associated Press Third-Team All America Team
• Tom Santi
  • ACC James E. Tatum Award (top senior student-athlete)

References

References

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2. Featherston, Al. "Much Anticipated 2007 Season Arrives for the Cavaliers". theACC.com.
3. Fiutak, Pete. (August 9, 2007). "2007 Preview: Virginia". [[Fox Sports (USA).
4. "Virginia vs Wyoming (Sep 01, 2007)".
5. "Duke vs Virginia (Sep 08, 2007)".
6. "Virginia vs North Carolina (Sep 15, 2007)".
7. "Georgia Tech vs Virginia (Sep 22, 2007)".
8. "Pittsburgh vs Virginia (Sep 29, 2007)".
9. "Virginia vs Middle Tennessee (Oct 6, 2007)".
10. "UConn vs Virginia (Oct 13, 2007)".
11. "Virginia vs Maryland (Oct 20, 2007)".
12. "Virginia vs NC State (Oct 27, 2007)".
13. "Wake Forest vs Virginia (Nov 03, 2007)".
14. "Virginia vs Miami (Fla.) (Nov 10, 2007)".
15. "Virginia Tech vs Virginia (Nov 24, 2007)".
16. "Texas Tech vs Virginia (Jan. 1, 2008)".
17. (August 22, 2007). "Jameel Sewell Named to Davey O'Brien Watch List". [[CBS Sports Network.
18. (August 21, 2007). "2007 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List". Davey O'Brien Foundation.
19. (July 22, 2007). "Best of the Best: Defensive Ends". Fantasy Insider Online, LLC..
20. (October 11, 2007). "SI.com's Midseason All-Americas".
21. (October 17, 2007). "2007 Midseason Report & All-Americans". CollegeFootballNews.com.
22. (October 12, 2007). "Two Cavs nominated for awards". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
23. (June 12, 2007). "2007 Outland Trophy Watch List Announced". [[Rotary International.
24. (October 18, 2007). "38th Rotary Lombardi Award Semifinalists Announced". [[Rotary International.
25. (2007-10-18). "College Player Watch List*". [[Maxwell Football Club]]©.
26. (September 1, 2007). "2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Announced". [[Football Writers Association of America]].
27. (October 18, 2007). "2007 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award Announces Pre-Season Candidate Watch List". Ted Hendricks Foundation.
28. (November 12, 2007). "2007 Finalists Ranking and Comments for ballot (6)". Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation}} {{dead link.
29. (June 23, 2007). "2007 John Mackey Award Watch List Released". The Nassau County Sports Commission.
30. (September 1, 2007). "Cowboys Thump Cavaliers". TheSabre.com.
31. Prisbell, Eric. (September 2, 2007). "U-Va. Has Trouble With Cowboys". [[The Washington Post]].
32. Bitter, Andy. (September 2, 2007). "Cowboys Rope, Brand Cavs". [[The News & Advance]].
33. Miller, Ed. (September 2, 2007). "Cavs Suffer Deflating Loss to Wyoming in Season Opener". [[The Virginian-Pilot]].
34. Doughty, Doug. (September 2, 2007). "Putrid Effort Sinks Cavaliers". [[The Roanoke Times]].
35. White, Jeff. (September 2, 2007). "Feeble Cavs Fall in Opener". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
36. Wright, Kris. (September 8, 2007). "UVa Pockets Win Over Duke". TheSabre.com.
37. Wright, Jeff. (September 9, 2007). "Lalich Offers Hope As U.Va. Avoids Upset". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
38. Bitter, Andy. (September 9, 2007). "UVa Downs Duke With A Two-Quarterback Attack". [[The News & Advance]].
39. Miller, Ed. (September 9, 2007). "Cavs Overcome Mistakes, Hand Devils Their 22nd Straight Loss". [[The Virginian-Pilot]].
40. Doughty, Doug. (September 9, 2007). "UVa Good Enough for Duke". [[The Roanoke Times]].
41. Jenkins, Jay. (September 9, 2007). "Cavs Pull Out a Hellish Win". [[The Daily Progress]].
42. (September 15, 2007). "Cavaliers Pick Up Gould-en Win". TheSabre.com.
43. White, Jeff. (September 16, 2007). "U.Va. Good As Gould in Win". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
44. (September 16, 2007). "Hoos Clip Heels to Go 2-0 in ACC". [[The News Leader]].
45. Miller, Ed. (September 16, 2007). "A Wild and Wacky Cavs Win Over Tar Heels". [[The Virginian-Pilot]].
46. Doughty, Doug. (September 16, 2007). "Cavs Toe Way to 2-0 in ACC". [[The Roanoke Times]].
47. Jenkins, Jay. (September 16, 2007). "Cavs Top Heels in Wild One". [[The Daily Progress]].
48. Kilgore, Adam. (September 22, 2007). "Virginia Improves To 3-0 In ACC". [[The Washington Post]].
49. Jenkins, Jay. (September 22, 2007). "Cavs Don't Crack Versus Jackets". [[The Daily Progress]].
50. Miller, Ed. (September 22, 2007). "Again, Cavaliers Sting Like Bees". [[The Virginian-Pilot]].
51. Doughty, Doug. (September 22, 2007). "Fine Finish for Cavs". [[The Roanoke Times]].
52. White, Jeff. (September 22, 2007). "Feeble A 'Hoos High". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
53. Wright, Kris. (September 29, 2007). "Cavaliers Pounce On Pitt To Win Big". TheSabre.com.
54. White, Jeff. (September 29, 2007). "U.Va Rips Pitt". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
55. Waldrop, Melinda. (September 29, 2007). "Cavaliers Crush Panthers". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
56. (September 29, 2007). "Virginia Cavaliers Rout University of Pittsburgh, Extend Streak". [[The News Leader]].
57. Coghill Jr., Taft. (September 29, 2007). "Panthers Can't Stop Cavaliers' Advance". [[The Free Lance-Star]].
58. Bitter, Andy. (September 29, 2007). "Cavs Hammer Pitt-iful Panthers". [[The News & Advance]].
59. Miller, Ed. (September 29, 2007). "Hungry Cavaliers Barbecue Pitt". [[The Virginian-Pilot]].
60. Doughty, Doug. (September 29, 2007). "Cavs Cruise to Their 4th Straight Victory". [[The Roanoke Times]].
61. Jenkins, Jay. (September 29, 2007). "Early Fireworks Carry Cavaliers". [[The Daily Progress]].
62. (October 7, 2007). "Gould's Kick Lifts UVa To Win". TheSabre.com.
63. White, Jeff. (October 7, 2007). "U.Va. Finally Gets Its Kicks". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
64. Waldrop, Melinda. (October 7, 2007). "Upset Kicked Away". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
65. Gonzalez, Antonio. (October 7, 2007). "After a Miss, Cavs' Gould Makes Game-Winning Field Goal". [[The Washington Post]].
66. Bitter, Andy. (October 7, 2007). "Late Drive, Gould's Field Goal Lift UVa Over Middle Tennessee". [[The News & Advance]].
67. Doughty, Doug. (October 7, 2007). "Late Field Goal Lifts Cavaliers". [[The Roanoke Times]].
68. Jenkins, Jay. (October 7, 2007). "Gould-en Opportunity Saves Cavs". [[The Daily Progress]].
69. (October 14, 2007). "Gould does it again – late kick beats UConn". TheSabre.com.
70. White, Jeff. (October 14, 2007). "Escape Artists". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
71. Waldrop, Melinda. (October 14, 2007). "Cavs Cool in the Clutch, Again". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
72. Kilgore, Adam. (October 14, 2007). "Sewell Leads Cavs to Sixth Straight Win". [[The Washington Post]].
73. Bitter, Andy. (October 14, 2007). "UVa Makes the Big Plays in Crucial Situations". [[The News & Advance]].
74. Doughty, Doug. (October 14, 2007). "Gould Golden Again". [[The Roanoke Times]].
75. Ratcliffe, Jerry. (October 14, 2007). "Cavs Do Whatever It Takes to Earn a Win". [[The Daily Progress]].
76. (October 21, 2007). "Cavs Claim Another Close Win". TheSabre.com.
77. White, Jeff. (October 21, 2007). "Better Late ... Simpson's Last-Minute TD Runs Cavs' Streak to 7". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
78. Teel, David. (October 21, 2007). "Cardiac Cavs". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
79. Kilgore, Adam. (October 21, 2007). "Cavaliers' Simpson Bursts On to Scene With 271 Yards". [[The Washington Post]].
80. Bitter, Andy. (October 21, 2007). "UVa Pulls Out Another Dramatic Win". [[The News & Advance]].
81. Doughty, Doug. (October 21, 2007). "Cavs Stretch Streak". [[The Roanoke Times]].
82. Ratcliffe, Jerry. (October 21, 2007). "By An Inch, Cavs Survive Again". [[The Daily Progress]].
83. (October 29, 2007). "N.C. State Stops UVa's Streak". TheSabre.com.
84. White, Jeff. (October 29, 2007). "Late Luck Runs Out". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
85. Waldrop, Melinda. (October 29, 2007). "Cavs Struggle with Pack's Bowens". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
86. Kilgore, Adam. (October 29, 2007). "With a Chance to Take Control of the ACC's Coastal Division, Cavaliers Fall Flat". [[The Washington Post]].
87. Bitter, Andy. (October 29, 2007). "Cracked Armor: Cavaliers Can't Find Late-Game Heroics". [[The News & Advance]].
88. Doughty, Doug. (October 29, 2007). "Streak Halts at State". [[The Roanoke Times]].
89. Jenkins, Jay. (October 29, 2007). "By Cavs Can't Rally in Raleigh". [[The Daily Progress]].
90. Wright, Kris. (November 4, 2007). "Better Late Than Never: Hoos Win By 1 Again". TheSabre.com.
91. White, Jeff. (November 4, 2007). "Time to Exhale". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
92. Waldrop, Melinda. (November 4, 2007). "Another Close Win for Cavs". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
93. Kilgore, Adam. (November 3, 2007). "Karmic Cavs Survive Another Nail-Biter". [[The Washington Post]].
94. Bitter, Andy. (November 4, 2007). "UVa Survives on a Swank Shank". [[The News & Advance]].
95. Doughty, Doug. (November 4, 2007). "UVa Makes Point, Again". [[The Roanoke Times]].
96. Jenkins, Jay. (November 4, 2007). "Virginia Still Livin' on the Edge". [[The Daily Progress]].
97. Wright, Kris. (November 11, 2007). "Farewell Bashing: Cavs Crush Canes". TheSabre.com.
98. White, Jeff. (November 11, 2007). "Cavs Spoil Canes' Party". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
99. Waldrop, Melinda. (November 11, 2007). "Cavs' Big Half Makes for Spoiled Orange". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
100. Kilgore, Adam. (November 11, 2007). "Virginia Buries Miami". [[The Washington Post]].
101. Bitter, Andy. (November 11, 2007). "UVa Plays Role of Wrecking Ball in Orange Bowl". [[The News & Advance]].
102. Doughty, Doug. (November 11, 2007). "Cavaliers Spoil Festive Night". [[The Roanoke Times]].
103. Jenkins, Jay. (November 11, 2007). "Cavs Demolish Orange Bowl". [[The Daily Progress]].
104. Wright, Kris. (November 24, 2007). "Hokies Knock Out Hoos". TheSabre.com.
105. White, Jeff. (November 24, 2007). "Tech Gets Title Shot". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
106. Waldrop, Melinda. (November 24, 2007). "Hokies Take Down Rival Cavs". [[Daily Press (Virginia).
107. Kilgore, Adam. (November 24, 2007). "Distance Between Two Rivals". [[The Washington Post]].
108. Bitter, Andy. (November 24, 2007). "Cavs Fail to Slow Tech Receivers". [[The News & Advance]].
109. Doughty, Doug. (November 24, 2007). "Spoils Go to Hokies". [[The Roanoke Times]].
110. Jenkins, Jay. (November 24, 2007). "BummerBall for Virginia". [[The Daily Progress]].
111. (November 27, 2007). "Al Groh Selected ACC Coach of the Year". VirginiaSports.com.
112. White, Jeff. (November 28, 2007). "Groh Top Coach in ACC". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
113. NCAA recognizes five All-America teams: The Associated Press, The American Football Coaches Association, The Sporting News, The Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Football Writers of America Association.
114. (December 12, 2007). "Chris Long Becomes Unanimous All-American with Selection to AP Team". VirginiaSports.com.
115. (November 29, 2007). "Chris Long Named to AFCA Coaches' All-America Team". VirginiaSports.com.
116. (December 8, 2007). "Chris Long Named to Football Writers All-America Team". VirginiaSports.com.
117. (November 28, 2007). "Chris Long Named ACC Defensive Player of the Year". VirginiaSports.com.
118. White, Jeff. (November 28, 2007). "It's Long, in a Landslide". [[Richmond Times Dispatch]].
119. (November 29, 2007). "Tom Santi Receives ACC's Jim Tatum Award". VirginiaSports.com.