In what was supposed to be a swan song for the Virginia seniors and Coach Al Groh, the Cavaliers laid an egg instead. Virginia Tech spoiled hopes for an upset, and set the seal on Virginia’s first nine-loss season since 1982.

Photo: Blair Capps

It seems as if all season the Cavaliers have been letting games slip away. This contest was no different. Virginia jumped out to an early lead on a 15-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Jameel Sewell, who finished the game with 104 rushing yards to lead the Cavaliers. The game was close for nearly three quarters, helped by a Chris Cook interception in the endzone, until the Hokies managed to capitalize on a miscued option pitch by Virginia. Sewell attempted to pitch to senior tailback Mikell Simpson, but put the ball too high and just behind his intended target. Virginia Tech recovered, and took the ball down to the Cavalier 10 yard line. A 4-yard run by Tech freshman Ryan Williams marked the beginning of the end. “We came out really strong because we knew we could beat them. We pounded them, and they were not ready for what we were bringing to the table,” Sewell said. “Then we faltered, we slowed down, and that hurt us.”

The most disheartening play of the game came in the fourth quarter, when Williams, who finished the game with 182 yards and 4 touchdowns, managed to break free for a long dash toward the endzone. Williams was stripped of the ball by a Cavalier defender, but the ball rolled forward into the endzone. Tech WR Jarrett Boykin pounced on the loose ball for a touchdown. The Cavalier supporters in the stands deflated, while the Hokie fans were elated. “It happened last week, and it happened again today,” senior linebacker Aaron Clark said. “We battle hard all game, and were able to go toe-to-toe for a half, but in the end, it didn’t all add up to what we were looking for.”

The attendance, which had been low all season, was remarkably high on Saturday. This had as much to do with Virginia fans as Tech fans. Sadly for the Virginia players, the Hokie fans were much more vocal throughout the game. However, during the last quarter, they  had much more to cheer about.

The postgame press conference with Coach Groh could only be called “interesting.” He answered a few questions about the game, and expressed his doubts about the current replay system in college football. However, when he was asked about his future as head coach at Virginia, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and proceeded to read a poem to the assembly of reporters.

“The Man in the Glass”

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Then go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he’s with you clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum,
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.”

The poem was a favorite of former Cavalier standout Chris Long, who read it before every high school football game at St. Anne’s Belfield School in Charlottesville. Groh added his own comments and the end:

“When I visited the guy in the glass, I saw that he’s a guy of commitment, of
integrity, of dependability and accountability. He’s loyal. His spirit is
indomitable. And he is caring and loving. I’m sure I will always call the
guy in the glass a friend. Thank you.”

And with that, he was gone. There was a beat of silence, then the whispers started in earnest.

Groh read the same poem to his players in the locker room after the game. “Coach Groh is a very well educated, smart, emotional man, and I think that poem captured his spirit,” senior fullback Rashawn Jackson said. “It takes a big man to stand in front of a team and read something like that. It was very moving.”

Whatever you may think about Groh’s coaching ability, you should know that he cares about his players, and they respect him a great deal.

Senior defensive end Nate Collins had this to say about his coach: “I love Coach Groh like a father. He has been a father figure to everyone on this team.”