A new Mr. October
posted by LW, Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Reggie Jackson and Al Groh have more in common than being surly and mean.
They both are known for success in October.
I cannot believe I'm typing this, but Virginia is 12-1 in its last 13 October games dating to 2006.
That completely explains why The Chessmaster has been able to keep his job after a combined record of 1-6 in August and September the past two seasons.
In this article by the ACC Sports Journal, the brass at Virginia is faced with the strange and difficult position of not being able to afford to keep Groh.
Nobody at Virginia is pulling for the Cavaliers to lose football games, but the more games that ninth-year coach Al Groh wins, the greater UVa’s dilemma becomes.
Season-ticket sales dropped more than 10 percent this year, attendance is down more than 8 percent, donations are down $3 million from last year (well over 10 percent). Although it would cost close to $4.5 million to buy out the final two years of Groh’s contract, at this rate Virginia almost can’t afford to keep him.
Virginia finds itself atop the Coastal Division with a 2-0 league record after wins at North Carolina and Maryland.
The Cavaliers certainly aren't doing it with offense. They have totaled two offensive touchdowns in those two victories. They racked up 254 yards against the Heels and 201 against the Terps.
Their field-goal kicker, Robert Randolph, has kicked five field goals in those two victories. Their defense has added a touchdown and kept both opponents out of the end zone.
You'd think the Cavaliers would be due a reality check starting Saturday at home against Georgia Tech. Then again, the Jackets haven't won at that place since 1990.
So a wacky season in the ACC could get even wackier.
Lose to William & Mary at home, then start 3-0 in the conference. It would be quite surreal.
Speaking of surreal, J.P. Giglio points out that Georgia Tech can complete one pass and still defeat the No. 4 team in the country.
He also has a great nickname for Groh: Joe Sweatshirt.
In the Miami Herald, a story on Hurricanes safety Jared Campbell. The junior safety is the younger brother of former Miami end Calais Campbell.
Jared, three years younger and eight inches shorter, was equipped with less natural ability. While his animated older brother stayed busy sacking quarterbacks and imploring fans to cheer louder with his trademark arm-waving, Jared worked quietly and tirelessly with the UM scout team.
As eighth-ranked UM (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) prepares to play Clemson (3-3, 2-2) on Saturday at Land Shark Stadium, the younger Campbell is doing his own damage. In the game-changing play during the game-changing goal-line stand at UCF on Saturday, a blitzing Campbell grabbed quarterback Brett Hodges' throwing arm on third down. The ball wobbled out of Hodges' hand and was intercepted by linebacker Colin McCarthy. UM converted the turnover into a field goal for a 20-7 lead.
Hodges was knocked out of the game.
``I talked to Calais Sunday night,'' said Campbell, who also had two pass breakups. ``He's a tough critic, but he said he was looking forward to someone making a play and he was glad it was me.''
Here's a look back at Miami's 27-7 win at Central Florida.
And here's a stat that tends to stand out from that game: Six sacks for Central Florida. Hard to believe if you remember all that time Jacory Harris had against Florida State and Georgia Tech.
Here are some midseason awards for the Canes. Guess who's offensive MVP?
Time to check in with the circus down in Tallahassee...
Andrew Carter of the Orlando Sentinel gives some midseason grades, and let's just say he's not handing out many smiley faces on defense.
When the defensive line and secondary both get F's, you know the Noles are in trouble.
Speaking of that secondary, here's his scathing take:
WHAT’S RIGHT: When healthy, Patrick Robinson has been among the best cornerbacks in the ACC, though his numbers might not suggest it.
WHAT’S WRONG: Everything else. The cornerbacks and safeties have looked lost at times this season and Florida State has likely given up more long passing plays this season than it did during the entire decade of the 90’s. That’s an exaggeration, but probably not too large of one.
HIGHLIGHT: There haven’t been any.
LOWLIGHT: There have been too many to list in this space.
Moving on to Clemson Land...
Enjoyed talking with Chris Chancellor yesterday. I'm always profoundly amazed at kids who overcome awful surroundings to achieve success on and off the field.
Chancellor is one of those kids, having emerged from inner-city Miami to become a star cornerback ... not to mention a college graduate.
Here are more stories on PT in The State, Post and Courier and Greenville News.
Brad Scott was a happy camper yesterday as he reflected on his offensive line's performance against Wake Forest.
LB Brandon Maye says the Tigers are wary of the Hurricane's underneath play-action passing game.
And I missed this yesterday: Like most folks, Paul Strelow is hesitant to jump aboard the Clemson bandwagon just yet.
By the way, when's the last time you actually saw a bandwagon?
LW
For questions or comments on this blog entry, please visit The West Zone message board.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Reggie Jackson and Al Groh have more in common than being surly and mean.
They both are known for success in October.
I cannot believe I'm typing this, but Virginia is 12-1 in its last 13 October games dating to 2006.
That completely explains why The Chessmaster has been able to keep his job after a combined record of 1-6 in August and September the past two seasons.
In this article by the ACC Sports Journal, the brass at Virginia is faced with the strange and difficult position of not being able to afford to keep Groh.
Nobody at Virginia is pulling for the Cavaliers to lose football games, but the more games that ninth-year coach Al Groh wins, the greater UVa’s dilemma becomes.
Season-ticket sales dropped more than 10 percent this year, attendance is down more than 8 percent, donations are down $3 million from last year (well over 10 percent). Although it would cost close to $4.5 million to buy out the final two years of Groh’s contract, at this rate Virginia almost can’t afford to keep him.
Virginia finds itself atop the Coastal Division with a 2-0 league record after wins at North Carolina and Maryland.
The Cavaliers certainly aren't doing it with offense. They have totaled two offensive touchdowns in those two victories. They racked up 254 yards against the Heels and 201 against the Terps.
Their field-goal kicker, Robert Randolph, has kicked five field goals in those two victories. Their defense has added a touchdown and kept both opponents out of the end zone.
You'd think the Cavaliers would be due a reality check starting Saturday at home against Georgia Tech. Then again, the Jackets haven't won at that place since 1990.
So a wacky season in the ACC could get even wackier.
Lose to William & Mary at home, then start 3-0 in the conference. It would be quite surreal.
Speaking of surreal, J.P. Giglio points out that Georgia Tech can complete one pass and still defeat the No. 4 team in the country.
He also has a great nickname for Groh: Joe Sweatshirt.
In the Miami Herald, a story on Hurricanes safety Jared Campbell. The junior safety is the younger brother of former Miami end Calais Campbell.
Jared, three years younger and eight inches shorter, was equipped with less natural ability. While his animated older brother stayed busy sacking quarterbacks and imploring fans to cheer louder with his trademark arm-waving, Jared worked quietly and tirelessly with the UM scout team.
As eighth-ranked UM (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) prepares to play Clemson (3-3, 2-2) on Saturday at Land Shark Stadium, the younger Campbell is doing his own damage. In the game-changing play during the game-changing goal-line stand at UCF on Saturday, a blitzing Campbell grabbed quarterback Brett Hodges' throwing arm on third down. The ball wobbled out of Hodges' hand and was intercepted by linebacker Colin McCarthy. UM converted the turnover into a field goal for a 20-7 lead.
Hodges was knocked out of the game.
``I talked to Calais Sunday night,'' said Campbell, who also had two pass breakups. ``He's a tough critic, but he said he was looking forward to someone making a play and he was glad it was me.''
Here's a look back at Miami's 27-7 win at Central Florida.
And here's a stat that tends to stand out from that game: Six sacks for Central Florida. Hard to believe if you remember all that time Jacory Harris had against Florida State and Georgia Tech.
Here are some midseason awards for the Canes. Guess who's offensive MVP?
Time to check in with the circus down in Tallahassee...
Andrew Carter of the Orlando Sentinel gives some midseason grades, and let's just say he's not handing out many smiley faces on defense.
When the defensive line and secondary both get F's, you know the Noles are in trouble.
Speaking of that secondary, here's his scathing take:
WHAT’S RIGHT: When healthy, Patrick Robinson has been among the best cornerbacks in the ACC, though his numbers might not suggest it.
WHAT’S WRONG: Everything else. The cornerbacks and safeties have looked lost at times this season and Florida State has likely given up more long passing plays this season than it did during the entire decade of the 90’s. That’s an exaggeration, but probably not too large of one.
HIGHLIGHT: There haven’t been any.
LOWLIGHT: There have been too many to list in this space.
Moving on to Clemson Land...
Enjoyed talking with Chris Chancellor yesterday. I'm always profoundly amazed at kids who overcome awful surroundings to achieve success on and off the field.
Chancellor is one of those kids, having emerged from inner-city Miami to become a star cornerback ... not to mention a college graduate.
Here are more stories on PT in The State, Post and Courier and Greenville News.
Brad Scott was a happy camper yesterday as he reflected on his offensive line's performance against Wake Forest.
LB Brandon Maye says the Tigers are wary of the Hurricane's underneath play-action passing game.
And I missed this yesterday: Like most folks, Paul Strelow is hesitant to jump aboard the Clemson bandwagon just yet.
By the way, when's the last time you actually saw a bandwagon?
LW
For questions or comments on this blog entry, please visit The West Zone message board.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Donnie Patterson. Donnie Patterson is the founder of Patterson Tax Service, located in Easley, S.C. He has been active in tax preparation since 1970, and offers a full range of tax and bookkeeping services.
Larry Williams. Larry has covered the daily beat at Clemson since 2004. Williams, who worked for the Charleston Post & Courier from 2004-08, joined Tigerillustrated.com in November of 2008. He may be reached by email at ldubya08(at)gmail.com. Replace (at) with @.