Brian Barthelmes

Brian Barthelmes is a big fan of TheSabre.com, a self-described Sabre junkie. That's one reason we like him. But there are better reasons.

Bart is also a helluva guy. This week Virginia's junior left guard was named to the 2004 American Football Coaches Association's Good Works Team. He was the only ACC player selected to the 11-man squad, chosen for their charitable contributions and service to the community.

Among the Cavaliers, Barthelmes stood out last year for his outgoing, upbeat personality and his long hair, which hung to his shoulders. No longer. In April he had his first haircut in 18 months and donated 10 inches of his once-shaggy mane to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that gives wigs to children who have suffered long-term hair loss because of illness.

That's not all. Barthelmes also visits the UVa Children's Medical Center twice a month. It isn't required. He says he enjoys it. He also participated in the Little Siblings Program, similar to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, for a semester before his assigned sibling moved away. Back home in Ohio, he has been active in local organizations such as the Cleveland City Mission Outreach, Youth with a Mission Outreach and Youth for Christ Leadership.

Athletic ability was not a criterion for selection to the Good Works team, though Barthelmes has been part of a dominant offensive line for the Cavaliers. Neither was behavior on the field, which is probably a good thing. Because tomorrow when Virginia plays overmatched Akron, a team from his home state, don't expect Barthelmes to be feeling too charitable.

Football recruiting...

It doesn't appear that UVa will host any significant recruits on official visits this weekend, but Cavalier fans can expect commitments on campus once again. Last week, verbal commitments Vic Hall, Jameel Sewell, Jeff Fitzgerald, Alex Field, Aaron Clark, John Phillips and Pat Slebonick were confirmed to be in attendance.

Fitzgerald, a 6-4, 250-pound defensive end out of Hermitage High School (Richmond, VA), suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire 2004 season. Hermitage coach Patrick Kane said "the only update I can give is that he will miss the season. UVa is going to stick with him and he should have a full recovery."

Basketball recruiting...

UVa will host several basketball recruits this weekend, as Tilton (NH) power forward Alfred Aboya and DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD) shooting guard Mamadi Diane make their way to Charlottesville.

The 6-9, 240-pound Aboya is also considering UCLA and Georgetown and has official visits scheduled to both. Diane, a 6-5, 180-pound prospect, is also looking at Georgetown. Of the two, UVa may have the best chance at landing Diane this weekend. The Cavs are considered to be in good shape with Aboya as well, though the Cameroon native was an early commitment to Georgetown before re-opening his recruiting process.

UVa picked up its second verbal commitment for the 2005 class earlier this week when Cherry Creek High School (Denver, CO) center Sam Warren committed to the 'Hoos. The 6-10, 220-pound Warren, a 3-star prospect by TheInsiders.com, chose UVa over Nebraska. Warren is considered a similar player to 2004 signee Tunji Soroye.

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Subject: So Hagans is 3rd nationally in passing efficiency, well, Goodman and Willis led
Posted by: Gloucester Hoo on Thu Sep 16 2004 12:33:14 PM
Message: the nation for much of the season as well. Of course, so did Moore and Blundin. So after watching Symmion and Bobby struggle late, the lesson is, don't get excited yet, right?

Of course not, we all know we've played Temple and UNC, not Clemson and Maryland, yet. However, I'm willing to bet UNC doesn't look that bad or get dominated as thoroughly against most other ACC teams (Miami and FSU aside). I also realize that Hagans has had the fortunate circumstances of being able to throw on unpredictable downs, instead of being forced in several 3rd and longs per drive.

Marques Hagans

So what point am I trying to make? The reason for this post is, I see something in Marques that sets him apart. Marques refuses to lose. I don't just mean the game, I mean any given play. Remember, he came from the same high school team Muffin Curry did. He heard all this before. How was he going to replace a QB that was 6'2", national player of the year, all everything? Well, he responded with a state championship. He not only overcomes being short, he doesn't want you to think he's playing well despite being short, he crams the stereotypical negative thoughts down your throat. He wants to be the best ever, not just the best in the nation, best in the ACC, etc.

Marques is listening to our coaches, using his own natural ability, and has looked pretty good so far, with the reigns still on. We've been able to push around the defensive lines so far, and will continue to have success against the best lines we have yet to play. This line will not be denied. We will throw on 1st and 2nd down and keep defenses guessing. Marques has YET to hit his stride, yet to be turned loose.

We haven't seen 1/5 of the playbook, and you won't. When? Oh, Clemson? Not likely. We will do what we need to do to dominate Clemson. You will see more then than against UNC for sure. However, FSU will see a determined team the likes of which they've never seen at UVA. A team more determined than the '95 bunch. A team that not only wants to prove to FSU we're better, but to make a statement nationally. Elton, Brad, and the boys want that D line to be shocked and scared. Chris, Andrew and the boys want to repeatedly whip that O line.

I know how many players we've had mentioned for national awards. However, we all know that no one is ready to give UVA more than a couple of those awards. After all, there are all those guys at Miami, FSU, Oklahoma, Michigan, USC, etc that have to get their due. It's tradition by God! Well, after we beat the first FSU and Miami, and people see how great Elton, Heath, Connor, Kai, Chris, Ahmad, Wali, Alvin, Marques, etc. do against top flight competition, minds will change. Honestly though, who cares about the awards? We're going for bigger and better things this season.

No, I won't be upset with a hard fought loss in Tallahassee, if we're truly not there yet. I'm telling you however, with the two lines (starters and backups), this group of RB's, the LB's, etc, we're setting ourselves up nicely for a shot at it all.

Oh, and this QB, you know, the one that's lightening in a bottle, will be turned loose against the likes of FSU, Maryland, Miami, etc. He'll electrify. The coaches are working overtime on the potential situations he'll face. The blitzes, the speedy DB's, the defensive switches at the line of scrimmage. Our coaches know all these tricks and stunts that he will see. If he responds the way I know he can, we'll eat those defenses alive. Be it pound it out, ball controlling drives, or defensive blitzes overwhelming Whitehurst, Rix, and Berlin, the team will find a way to win. Remember, these are many of the same players that as freshmen found ways to come back from 21-0 and 27-10 type halftime deficits.

No longer do we play down to competition. We worry about doing OUR jobs. We worry about each individual battle. Our players are graded after each game and will not take a game off.

Are you ready? Are you ready to do YOUR job by being as raucious and more so than at UNC? Are you ready to stand and yell? Are you going to wear orange and paint your face, buy away game tickets and car pool or do whatever necessary to be there?

I'm umpiring softball just for extra money to try to go to FSU. As in, next Sunday, and three nights that week. Bring it on, whatever I have to do. I'll go the extra mile becuase our VERY PLAYERS are going the extra mile. This season, RIGHT NOW!

In fact, who was the poster that had the extra FSU tickets, put me down right now, I'll buy one from you and find a ride. I'll sleep on top of our under the RV or in a lay back seat. The hell with Miami, FSU, and those cocky Maryland punks that think they're better than us? Why, because of the past? This is a new year, and I'm going to watch our Hoos rock them all.

Carolina no challenge for Cavaliers

Alvin Pearman

September sure looked like the soft patch in Virginia's football schedule, but who knew it would be this soft? Temple and North Carolina, Virginia's first two opponents, were listed this week among the worst 10 teams in America by ESPN.com. Akron and Syracuse, the next two up for the Wahoos, haven't looked much better so far this season.

But to the Cavs' credit, they haven't played down to the level of their opposition. They beat Temple by 30 in the opener, then clobbered Carolina by 32 last Saturday at Scott Stadium. UVa's domination was so complete, those margins could have been bigger. Virginia led the Owls 30-0 at halftime and scored seven touchdowns before the Tar Heels made them punt.

Can the 'Hoos keep it up? For two more weeks, at least, that seems likely. Akron is 0-2, including a loss to mighty Middle Tennessee State last week, while the Orangemen were routed 51-0 by Purdue in their opener. Virginia's first real test figures to come Oct. 7th against Clemson, though, come to think of it, the Tigers haven't looked so hot themselves.

For a preview of the Akron game and for news, notes, stats, weather information and roster cards, please see the links below.

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