For Cavs, Writing's on Bridge

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Sept. 4 -- By the time the Virginia football team returned from Wyoming on Sunday, the message on Beta Bridge had already been written. On the blue background of the bridge on Rugby Road here, someone had spray-painted in orange, "Groh Must Go!"

The graffiti, which also referenced the 23-3 final score and head coach Al Groh's salary ($1.9 million this season), had been painted over by Tuesday afternoon. But it summarized the dismay and rage many Cavaliers fans felt after Virginia fell flat in its season opener at Wyoming. After a preseason rife with optimism, the Cavaliers picked up where they left off after their 5-7 record last season, particularly on offense.

Quarterback Jameel Sewell, who had seemingly taken control of the offense, struggled so much that freshman Peter Lalich finished the game behind center. Dating from last season, the Cavaliers have not scored a touchdown in 162 minutes. In their past two games, the Cavaliers have gained 212 yards, 29 less than Wyoming gained in the first half Saturday.

Still, even with a coach under scrutiny, uncertainty at quarterback and a scuffling offense, the Cavaliers remained resolute Tuesday as they approached their second game of the season, against Duke on Saturday.

"We feel like we've been through a lot of adversity in the past," running back Cedric Peerman said. "We've been here before. We're not going to stay here. This is not final. We're still very optimistic. We will be better."

If the Cavaliers improve, it will come with Sewell at quarterback to start, but Lalich likely will play again, Groh said. Sewell's surgically repaired left (and throwing) wrist has not been a hindrance this season, either in the first game or throughout summer practice. But the injury may crop up again, Groh said, and they want Lalich to be prepared should it resurface.

"It is a situation that we have been told medically could represent itself at any time," Groh said. "We've literally been told that could be in 10 minutes, or that could be in 10 years. We decided if we thought Peter was up to it, it would be the best thing to do."

With his son Mike coordinating the struggling offense, Groh has come under perhaps more scrutiny than he has faced in his six-plus years at Virginia. He said he had not seen the Beta Bridge, but other signs of fan restlessness have arisen.

"When you're the head coach, it's a position that you know by the nature of the position that you're going to take your hits," Groh said Tuesday. "That's just the way it goes. It's like playing quarterback: You know you're going to get hit, whether it's on the field or off the field. If you can't take a hit and get back up, then you can't play the position."

Later, Groh was asked if he is still confident with his approach.

"Anytime you don't get the results that you want, it would be arrogant to say everything is perfect," Groh said. "One thing we try to avoid is that. Arrogance is one of the first steps toward failure.

"We did quite a bit of research and analysis and work during the preceding nine months. We feel that we've got a well-thought-out plan going into the season. The things that we are basing all of that on are all things that have been successful. They're not things that are: 'Why are these guys doing that? They're things that have never been done before.' "

Cavaliers Note: Outside linebacker Jermaine Dias, who left Saturday's game, will not play against Duke because of injury. Sophomore Denzel Burrell will start in his place. Groh gave no indication as to when Dias might return.