UVa quarterbacks still battling

By Jay Jenkins

Published: August 19, 2008

Long after a practice had completed last week at Virginia’s football practice facility, Pete Lalich stayed on the field, firing spiral after spiral to fellow quarterback Riko Smalls.

Lalich, a sophomore, eventually elected to end the tutorial session with the rookie.

“Let’s take it in the house,” Lalich said.

That was as close as media members have been to obtaining a quote from Lalich or any other quarterback in the program.

Scott Deke, a senior in the three-way battle for the spot, attempted to explain the silent treatment earlier this month at the program’s Meet the Team Day, which doubled as media day.

Deke said the quarterbacks collectively decided “that it’s in our best interest to just, you know, keep to ourselves and do whatever is best for this team. And until any of us have done anything in a game worthwhile to be talking about, I think it is in our best interest to stick to ourselves and keep working to be, to do what’s best for our team.”

The hush policy will likely continue until a candidate is named publicly or emerges to take the first snap against third-ranked Southern California on August 30.

The uncertainty is not as a result of poor play, offensive coordinator Mike Groh said Monday. It is quite the contrary in the race between Lalich, Deke and sophomore Marc Verica.

“They have all had good days and bad days, and fortunately for us more good than bad,” Groh said. “They have all done very well. I’m pleased with their development, their progress, their command of the offense.”

That does not mean that the coaching staff does not have a pecking order in mind.

“I think it’s winding down,” Groh said on Monday. “We’re going to start our preparation on [Southern Cal], so certainly he’ll be in place by then.”

The answer could be relayed to the team in today’s practice.

“I could tell you one thing: I won’t be [announcing it],” Groh chuckled. “But I would imagine that if that is the case, coach [Al Groh] will make an announcement to you guys.”

While Lalich remains the likely starter, the younger Groh would only admit that he had an idea of who the signal caller will be.

“Do I have an opinion on it?” Groh said. “Yes, I do.”

For now, the Trojans are left worrying with their own quarterback situation — projected starter Mark Sanchez dislocated his left knee in practice earlier this month, leaving backups Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp taking most of the snaps in practice. They also have little video footage to study on Virginia’s potential starter, as only Lalich has attempted a pass in a game.

It has helped the quarterbacks, Groh said, that they all mirror each other in style. That was not the case last when former quarterback Jameel Sewell, a running threat, and the strong-armed Lalich played in the same contest.

“It’s not like you have one offense for one style of quarterback and another offense for another style,” Groh said. “They are all running the same offense. In that way it is an advantage for those three guys in that they are all getting excellent preparation in the offense that we will play throughout the season.”