Associated Press
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. ó Virginia players say the regular season finale against No. Virginia Tech today is their bowl game.
It could be aptly dubbed the Last Chance Bowl.
A third losing season in the last four means Virginia (3-8, 2-5 ACC) won’t have a postseason. It’s also the last chance for any of the Cavaliers suiting up to beat the Hokies.
In a season of disappointment that is also likely to mark the end of coach Al Groh’s time at his alma mater, the Cavaliers would especially like to end their five-game skid in the series.
“This is it,” wide receiver Vic Hall said. “There’s nothing after this as far as college football for us, so this is a bowl game for us. It’s the biggest game of our careers.”
The Hokies (8-3, 5-2) need to win at Scott Stadium and then in their bowl game to reach 10 victories for the sixth year in a row. And while some admit to being sympathetic to how hard this season ó and rivalry ó has been on Virginia, that’s about as far as it goes.
“It’s real tough,” defensive end Nekos Brown said. “I couldn’t imagine it, really. … For them to be going through this right now, at the end of the season and through the whole season really, it’s tough. I’ve got sympathy for them when it comes to that ó emotionally. But when it comes to the field, it doesn’t matter.”
Brown’s defensive teammate, linebacker Cody Grimm, even listed Scott Stadium as his favorite place to play other that Lane Stadium.
Virginia has beaten the Hokies just once in Groh’s first eight seasons. The Cavaliers will honor 30 fourth- and fifth-year seniors.