University of North Carolina Athletics
Mick: Pregame Breakdown - UVa
October 26, 2000 | Football
Oct. 26, 2000
WHEN VIRGINIA HAS THE BALL: It isn't very sexy to write about, but the essence of the Cavalier offensive unit is an excellent offensive line. O-line play is like being in a band in that good individual players don't necessarily make beautiful music together. It takes time and literally thousands of repetitions to develop the synchronicity and feel for one another that the very best combos all have.
Virginia has it.
Despite losing All Americans Noel LaMontagne and John St. Clair to the NFL, the Cavs once again sport one of the top offensive lines in the ACC. Their zone blocking schemes haven't changed much over the years and as a result the Hoos don't make many mistakes up front. And running back Antoine Womack, the league's second leading rusher, is a strong, tackle-breaking type of runner whose style works well with what the O-line tries to do.
QB Dan Ellis, who has only been sacked 12 times all year, is like a Chris Keldorf with mobility. He is reads coverages like you and I read the funny papers and if he knows what you are in, he can give you major problems with his passing ability. Virginia has also added some option and a quarterback draw to their arsenal to take advantage of his talents.
UVa scores frequently on their first drive of the game, and they are winning the first quarter 65-16 so far this season. But in the 4th period, they are being outscored 41-16.
WHEN CAROLINA HAS THE BALL: During weeks that your team doesn't play Virginia, Wahoo defensive coordinator Rick Lantz is known as a skilled and intelligent coach. The week that you play the Cavs, he is known as a colossal pain in the backside.
Early in the 90's, his defenses were read and react, bend but don't break, keep the ball in front of them, don't give up the big play type units. They had the great kicking game and a tremendous offense, so they just played field position and banked that opposing offenses would make a drive-killing mistake somewhere along the way. After going away from that for a few years later in the decade, the Cavaliers are back to their old ways somewhat.
They play a good deal of 2-deep zone, they try to keep you from throwing the deep ball, and their front seven are pretty salty against the run. The Heels will have to chip at them some with underneath stuff, be patient, and trust that first downs will lead to touchdowns.
NET PUNTING: Virginia is good. 3rd in the conference. UNC is, well, dead last in the ACC and Carolina's starting punter has mono.
INTANGIBLES: There are plenty. UNC hasn't won at Virginia since 1981. Ronald Curry has had a tough year in his personal life with the sickness and then the passing this week of the grandmother who helped raise him.
HOW I SEE IT: Ronald plays well. So does Kenny Browning's defense. The kicking game is a stalemate. Franklin Street goes wild Saturday night. Carolina 31 Virginia 21.
See you on the radio. 11:00 AM Saturday.
