UVA alters practices for Vic Hall; Receivers in flux

Cavs alter practices for Hall’s switching

It’s common in high school football, but Vic Hall is a rarity in the college game—he’s playing offense and defense.

The U.Va. senior started the season at quarterback before suffering a hip injury. Now he’s a wide receiver and cornerback. Coach Al Groh was asked yesterday how he managed Hall’s practice time.

“Kind of like a tennis ball,“ Groh said. “We do kind of bat him back and forth from field to field.“

To accommodate Hall’s work with the offense and defense, certain aspects of on-field practices have been staggered. For instance, instead of both units working on third-down situations at once, they’ll go back to back so that Hall can join both units.

For Groh, it’s not a bad problem.

“It’s worth a few more minutes of organization, because he brings a lot to both sides,“ the coach said. “It just takes some time management.“

LB rotation settled; receivers in flux

Five games into the season, seniors Denzel Burrell and Aaron Clark have settled into a rotation at left outside linebacker. The other outside linebacker has been sophomore Cam Johnson.

“You know how close me and Denzel are, so it’s working out great,“ Clark said. “It’s nice to be able to focus on one side of the ball, and be able to give each other coaching as we come up the field.“

On the other side of the ball, Groh is still waiting for some playmaking receivers to step up among his young group. The addition of Hall has helped, but the coach said that only one player, Kris Burd of Matoaca, has earned a starting spot.

“I don’t think there has been anybody else with enough plays to say they’re in that category yet,“ Groh said. “Kris has done it three games in a row, so he would be deserving of going into that ‘emerging receiver’ category.“

Simpson could play against Maryland

Yesterday was an off day for the players, but they said that running back Mikell Simpson was continuing to make progress after injuring his neck and being carted off the field Saturday. Clark said that it wasn’t as scary for the players, because the trainers came over to give them an immediate update on Simpson’s status.

“He’s such a good guy to be around, you hate to see that happen—it’s a little gut-wrenching,“ Clark said. “But he’s excited. He knows what this game means, and I think he’s going to do everything he can to try to participate in it.“

Groh said that his preference would be to only play Simpson extensively if he’s able to join the team for practice this week. He said that Simpson would be able to handle the run plays, but the concern is in preparing for pass protections against Maryland’s blitz.

“This team does bring a variety of different-looking schemes that will be challenging not only to the line but particularly to the backs,“ the coach said.

Extra point

The Oct. 24 home game against Georgia Tech will kick off at noon at Scott Stadium.