Virginia Fans See a Sign Of Progress

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Oct. 4 -- Rotating like a lighthouse, Ryan Vita extended his arms and displayed his message for all to see on Saturday. About an hour earlier, back when spirits surrounding the Virginia football program were at a season low, Vita had entered Scott Stadium proudly, a cardboard sign guarded safely underneath his arm.

He had no idea his Cavaliers were about to embarrass a Maryland squad that entered the contest a heavy favorite. He had no idea Virginia's offense -- anemic for much of this 2008 campaign -- would rack up 428 total yards and 26 first downs.

And he certainly had no idea his team's coach, Al Groh, would exit the field amid a wave of relief following a 31-0 victory. Just a week ago, Groh was forced to explain the lack of focus Virginia displayed in a loss to Duke, which previously had not won a conference game in 25 tries.

What Vita, a junior Spanish major, did know as he took his seat in the Virginia student section was that the message at Scott Stadium had changed. As he and the 50,726 other patrons in attendance soon found out, that sentiment applied both on and off the field.

"Well, we took a little step forward here tonight," Groh said. "We've got a ways to go yet. There's still a lot of things we can improve upon. . . . Our challenge now is to keep moving forward next week."

Virginia's win served as a simple gesture. For one night -- on the field and in the stands -- all was well in Charlottesville.

Virginia quarterback Marc Verica threw for 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Prior to Verica's first-quarter touchdown strike to wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, the Cavaliers had not recorded a score through the air this season.

"Marc stepped up tonight great; you know, we were kind of shocked the way he played tonight," Virginia tailback Mikell Simpson said. "For him being in his third start and him picking up for the team, you know we've been struggling on offense, to put the game together completely, we've got a lot of confidence in him."

Simpson finished with 77 yards on 14 carries, but the production of another running back encouraged Groh. Cedric Peerman returned to the lineup after sitting out the loss at Duke while recovering from a lingering knee injury and picked up 110 yards on 17 carries.

Likewise, the university's prevailing judgment made an equal difference in the mood of its fan base. Scott Stadium officials used to check each homemade sign at the front gates to ensure its point was not critical of Groh or his beleaguered squad. Then the university banned signs at the stadium altogether.

On Thursday, the university relented. Signs would be allowed once again at Scott Stadium, no matter the tone they carried.

In black marker, Vita prepared his sign: "Thank goodness for the (Thomas Jefferson) Center for the Protection of Free Expression located in . . . Charlottesville."

Upon his arrival, Vita strolled into the stadium, past the same officials who previously would have inspected his crafted possession. The unfettered joy Vita felt at that moment foreshadowed the evening to come for the Cavaliers and their fans.

"I just walked in today," Vita said. "It was pretty cool."