Mikell Simpson News

CHARLOTTESVILLE As Al Groh went through the excruciating detail and minutia of another loss, this one to archrival Virginia Tech, summing up another game in which his Virginia Cavaliers were lacking in talent, depth and the ability to compete in the ACC, one invisible elephant sat in the room.

Virginia Tech tailback Ryan Williams rushed for a career-high 183 yards and scored four touchdowns, and the Hokies scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to roll past the University of Virginia 42-13 in the ACC regular-season finale played in front of 58,555 fans at Scott Stadium.

It is a somewhat expected decision, Sunday afternoon UVa announced the University and Head football coach, Al Groh would part ways.

Dear Al, Hey it's me, Ben.A You might remember me from earlier when I asked why you hate me .A I'm back!A Well, this time I wanted to tell you something.A I am ashamed.

So if you were paying attention to last week's Virginia-Clemson game and all the trick plays you're probably a little worried about what the Cavaliers might throw at your Hokies this weekend.

Many Virginia fans watching the Cavaliers' wide-open offense in the first half Saturday must have been wondering, "Where has this been all season?" The Cavaliers ran the ball out of a "wildcat" formation, with tailback Mikell Simpson taking direct snaps.

His best defensive tackle now plays at Kansas State. The expected quarterback of future takes classes at Oregon State.

Mikell Simpson entered the season as Virginia's No. 1 running back and its top receiving threat out of the backfield.

Cavalier Player of the game: Sophomore defensive back Chase Minnifield, who intercepted Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis in the end zone.

CHARLOTTESVILLE Firing Virginia coach Al Groh at the end of the season would be expensive, but the cost of not doing so could be just as high.

In four ACC games, U.Va. has scored just four offensive touchdowns, including two against Duke.

As expected, Virginia defensive end Matt Conrath was ruled out on Thursday for the upcoming Georgia Tech game with an ankle sprain.

JAMES MADISON at WILLIAM AND MARY WHEN: Noon. WHERE: Zable Stadium, Williamsburg.

CHARLOTTESVILLE Virginia has a 3-3 record, which generally denotes an average team.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. Sometimes, a team is so good it can overcome bad luck.

Denzel Burrell has been around Wahoo football for five years and even he didn't know the answer when a sportswriter asked the linebacker on Monday if he knew the last time Georgia Tech won a game in Charlottesville.

It was obvious to every person in Scott Stadium two years ago that defensive end Chris Long was Virginia's best pass-rushing performer.

Georgia Tech's impressive running game may have it on the brink of its first top 10 appearance in over eight years, but Virginia's stunning turnaround has it atop the ACC Coastal Division A road win over the Cavaliers for the first time in nearly 19 years would give the 11th-ranked Yellow Jackets the Coastal lead Saturday when they visit Virginia.

Virginia suddenly finds itself the only team in the Atlantic Coast Conference without a loss in league play.

Held out of action for mostly precautionary reasons, Virginia running back Mikell Simpson skipped to the locker room Saturday following a 20-9 victory at Maryland.