UVA’s Jameel Sewell finding comfort zone on third-down rollout

CHARLOTTESVILLE - It is, as any fan will tell you, the worst play ever. Unless it works, of course.

The play in question is the third-down quarterback rollout, a staple of Virginia’s playbook through the first four games this season and one that often has featured Hermitage grad Jameel Sewell as the featured runner.

Success has been limited, but last Saturday against North Carolina, there were signs that Sewell is beginning to feel more comfortable in his role as a mobile passer.

Coach Al Groh said that Sewell is getting better about deciding when to run and when to throw, no small thing considering that a drive often hangs in the balance when Sewell rolls out on a third down.

He complimented a decision Sewell made Saturday on a third down to hang tough and ultimately complete a throw that extended the drive. But at the same time, he wants opponents to fear the dual-threat offense, having to send a defender to cover Sewell the runner and another for Sewell the passer.

“If Vince Young had stopped running, he probably wouldn’t have won the Heisman,“ Groh said. “Not that we’re on that road, but there are some similarities there.“

During Saturday’s victory in Chapel Hill, Sewell rolled out, tucked the ball in and was tackled immediately on the first two third-down conversions. But in the game’s final three quarters, he converted on 44 percent of third-down plays.

As he discovers how to best use his talents, the offense as a whole also is learning how it can win football games—a methodical approach that cuts back on penalties and feeds off of defensive success.

“We’ll ride with our defense,“ Sewell said. “We’ll move the ball, do what we’re supposed to do, be hardnosed, run the ball and limit turnovers and penalties. If we do that, we’ll be hard to beat.“

The Hoos cut back on turnovers last Saturday, though penalties were another story. An ineligible receiver call cost the team a touchdown at the end of the first half, and the drive instead resulted in a field goal.

But the touchdown that was called back was a Sewell throw that threaded the needle through the defense. It was a confidence builder that will help the senior quarterback know he can be just as effective with his arm as with his legs.

He’s also enjoying a confidence boost from being the team’s de facto starting quarterback, instead of the three-headed system employed at the beginning of the season. Teammates also recognize his potential.

“He can throw the ball, he can run, he can do a lot of great things,“ safety Brandon Woods said. “It’s made me a better safety being exposed to that during practice.“

Sewell’s improvement also is showing, though the final validation will come when fans stop cringing and start anticipating the best on third-down situations.

Note: Two U.Va. players were honored by the ACC yesterday. Matt Conrath was co-defensive lineman of the week, and kicker Robert Randolph was co-special teams player of the week.

Contact Michael Phillips at (804) 649-6546 or