Cavs ready for circus atmosphere

By Jay Jenkins

Published: August 26, 2008

Jokingly, Kevin Ogletree said a special presentation was in the works for Saturday’s season-opening contest with third-ranked Southern California.

“We are about to rename the stadium,” said Virginia’s top wide receiver.

That honor, he chuckled, would be bestowed upon Chris Long, Virginia’s former All-American defensive end, who had his jersey number honored prior to the last season’s home finale.

Long, in fact, plans to be in attendance at Scott Stadium for Saturday’s game, which signifies the last days of freedom for the St. Louis Rams rookie before the NFL season gets underway and exemplifies the magnitude of a contest that will bring a circus-like atmosphere to Charlottesville.

At this point, a total of 410 media credentials have been issued, a figure that includes television personnel for the national broadcast and 15 NFL scouts.

Most of Virginia’s players in attendance at a press conference at John Paul Jones Arena said the showdown with a national powerhouse would clearly be the most notable of their career.

“It’s probably the biggest game I have ever played in,” said UVa senior running back Cedric Peerman.

USC, which has won 67 of its past 73 games, will bring a certain luster uncommon to nonconference games at Scott Stadium. The Trojans have made six straight BCS appearances, an NCAA record, and have been ranked in the top 10 for 66 of their past 70 games.

“There is a great heritage of football there and some great coaches who have coached there. There have been some fantastic players who have played there,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “They have been a big player on the national scene for a long, long time. They are just the biggest player on the national scene now.

“You don’t have to be a rabid college football fan to know who the USC Trojans are. Even the casual fan would be well aware of how good their team is, and [how] their players produce.”

Based perhaps on the nationwide attention that his program receives, USC coach Pete Carroll admitted that he expects a unique experience playing on the East Coast in a facility that would be deemed cozy when compared to where USC plays home games. The Trojans play at Los Angeles Memorial Stadium, a 92,000-seat venue.

“It’s a really cool place to play,” Carroll said in reference to Scott Stadium. “The place will be rocking.”

With the added fanfare has come the added headache for Virginia’s players to fulfill — or deny —certain ticket requests. Each player is allotted only four tickets for the game.

“This is the worst it has ever been,” Ogletree said. “I don’t know if they are coming to see USC or us.

“They have been coming out of the woodworks asking for tickets.”

Virginia officials have asked that fans attending the game plan to arrive earlier than usual.

The waiting game

Virginia released its depth chart for the USC game on Tuesday and, as

expected, the quarterback race remains a mystery.

Expect the battle — which supposedly is open between senior Scott Deke and sophomores Pete Lalich and Marc Verica — to continue until Virginia’s offense takes the field.

“We are moving forward with it and I am sure before some time at 3:31 [p.m.] on Saturday we will have it figured out,” Groh said. “It’s really been low-key on our end. This has not been nearly as dramatic a decision for us as choosing a vice president.”

For reasons relating to playing time in 2007, USC certainly has an idea who will be under center. The Trojans expect Lalich, who appeared in eight games last year, to get the first — and perhaps only — chance to go under center.

Ogletree would only smile when told that sources confirmed that Lalich was the frontrunner.

Groh even tipped his hand at one point as to how tight the battle may actually be when asked if he had a player in mind for the spot.

“I have a pretty good idea,” he coyly replied.

When Ogletree was told that Groh had an idea, he smiled again.

“He has a good idea? That’s good,” Ogletree said before shifting gears. “Those are his questions.”

Groh did add a dose of confusion in playful fashion when asked if it was a three-man or two-man race.

“They’re all getting reps, they’re all doing nicely,” he continued. “[True freshman] Riko Smalls looked good [Monday].

“If he continues to impress, we will have our own Biggie Smalls.” 

There were several insightful revelations from the depth chart.

Running back Mikell Simpson and Peerman are listed as the top two options to return kickoffs. Vic Hall and Ogletree are listed 1-2 at punt returner.

Also, sophomore defensive end Sean Gottschalk, once considered a prospect to start the opener, was not listed at all.

“We are allowing [Gottschalk] the time to take care of his personal business,” Groh said.

Without Gottschalk available, redshirt freshman Matt Conrath moved up a spot and appears to be the favorite to start opposite senior Alex Field.

Two offensive linemen, Lamar Milstead and Austin Pasztor, made their debuts on the depth chart, and sophomore Keith Payne was listed at fullback and not his natural spot of tailback.

Milstead, a redshirt freshman, is listed as the top reserve behind left tackle Will Barker.

“I think he is getting it now,” said center Jack Shields. “He is doing a lot better. He is doing a good job and you hear about it in the meetings with comments like, ‘Nice job, Lamar. This is what you need to do, and there you go.’”

“He understands now what he has to do and he is coming along well.”

Pasztor, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound true freshman from Fork Union Military Academy, has made a meteoric rise at left guard. The 17-year-old Canadian has bypassed Patrick Slebonick and is listed behind starting left guard Zak Stair.

“He’s a big kid and he has come along real well,” Shields added. “He’s huge and he’s fast. He is strong, too. I think he can be a really good player.”

Groh added: “He’s done a nice job. He’s got a nice future here. He is very, very mature for his circumstances.”

A starter was not designated at running back (Peerman or Simpson) and may not be all season as the two share the workload. The highly-contested battle between senior Aaron Clark and junior Denzel Burrell at outside linebacker to start opposite senior Clint Sintim also continues. Both Clark and Burrell are expected to play on Saturday.

Injury update

When Virginia released its injury report Monday, it was completely blank.

That means, at least at this point, that none of the players in the program are scheduled to have season-ending surgery or have an injury that would have completely ruled them out for Saturday’s game.

That could change by the time the list is released again Thursday within 90 minutes of the completion of that day’s practice.

Had Groh released the information on Tuesday, he said he would have had one player listed as “out,” three as “doubtful,” three as “questionable” and five as “probable.”