Wahoo Wire

Excitement swept up and down 14th street, across the Lawn, and through Scott Stadium as the Charlottesville community prepared to watch the new Mike London led Cavaliers. The clear blue sky, perfect temperature, slight breeze, new leadership, and excited students all culminated to create a great game day atmosphere not seen as of late for UVA football.

Whether donning the traditional tie/sundress or just navy and orange, the students were out in full force filling the hill and student section. A total of 54,146 people showed up to support the Cavaliers.

The blood, sweat, and tears put into turning the program around by Coach London, staff, and players really paid off as the Cavaliers defeated the Spiders 34-13 Saturday. The new 4-3 defense looked solid all night and proved to really fit our personnel. With the help of a great performance by fifth-year quarterback Marc Verica and unbelievable senior running back Keith Payne, who had four rushing touchdowns, the Cavaliers were able to get the win.

Payne walked away from football before last season but returned this year under Coach London. His downhill, bruising running style jogs memories of Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants. Payne had 16 carries for 114 yards and has taken the new coaching staff as an opportunity to get back into football and has successfully been able to find and fill a role that compliments the speedier running back Perry Jones.

After busting out a 38 yard run on the opening play from scrimmage, Jones carried the ball eight more times finishing with 73 yards and no touchdowns. Verica played mistake-free football throwing no interceptions, a touchdown, and ended up 24 for 35 with 283 yards.

The ‘Hoos scored touchdowns in each of the first three quarters putting them up 21-13 and with the help of Payne, they tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, blowing the game open.

Saturday’s win over the Spiders was the first season opening win for the ‘Hoos since 2005. This was the first goal that London and his Cavaliers have had a chance to accomplish, and they were successful. Hopefully the following weeks will permit reaching another goal of making a bowl game this year as Cavalier faithful look forward to seeing how the ‘Hoos respond as the competition stiffens.