The Sabre Celebrates 10 Years!

In the summer of 1996, Virginia football fans were dizzy with anticipation for the upcoming season. The 1995 season had brought an exciting 13-game schedule and a 9-4 record - plus, the Hoos handed Florida State its first loss in ACC play. The season also had its disappointments with last second losses to Michigan and Texas.

The fans were hungry for more. That offseason starvation - and a fateful suggestion from a roommate - led Mike Ingalls (our beloved Boardhost) to create an internet home about the Cavaliers. Mainly, the site touted Tiki Barber's credentials for Heisman and included helpful links. There was no Virginiasports.com yet and there weren't that many on-line places for Hoo fans to gather information. Out of those humble beginnings emerged The Sabre as you know it today.

By the middle of September in 1996, UVa fans were still pumped up about the football program. The Cavaliers had just rocked No. 13 Texas 37-13 on Homecoming, which Mike recounted in his first postgame article: "Tale of the Broken Longhorn." After that, Mike continued to write a few articles here and there. But at the end of the season, Mike had no plans of continuing with his fledgling Virginia site. A steady stream of emails changed that and the next decade saw Mike's then nameless site grow into Virginiafootball.com and Virginiabasketball.com before eventually becoming TheSabre.com

If EDGE subscribers want to follow the history of the Sabre, a four-part series is available in the archives:

• History of TheSabre.com - Part I
• History of TheSabre.com - Part II
• History of The Sabre - Part III
• History of The Sabre - Part IV

With that in mind, Mike and all of the other Sabre employees past and present would like to thank you all for supporting The Sabre. Many of you have been supporting the site for the full 10 years while some of you may be newcomers to the scene - either way, we're happy to have you fellow Wahoos on board. Thank You and Happy Anniversary Sabre-ites!

Kris Wright
TheSabre.com
Editor

Basketball recruiting .

One of UVa's top remaining targets made his final official visit this past weekend. 7-1, 235-pound center Solomon Alabi tripped to Florida State this past weekend and is now expected to make a decision among Arizona, Florida State, and UVa. The Montverde (FL) five-star recruit made official visits to Virginia and Arizona each of the previous two weekends.

TheSabre.com will get an update on Alabi's decision this week. We expect the choice to come down to the ACC programs, with Florida State potentially being the favorite at this time. Alabi was impressed with his official visit to UVa, however, so don't count out the Cavs just yet.

UVa already has three commitments for the 2007 class, including PG Sam Zeglinski, G Jeff Jones and SF Eric Wallace. Zeglinski is rated a three-star recruit, while Jones and Wallace each have a four-star rating by at least one of the two major recruiting services (Rivals and Scout). Other remaining targets include Huntington (W.V.) five-star power forward Patrick Patterson and Hargrave Military Academy power forward Mike Scott, who played for Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake last season as a senior.

Football recruiting .

Several EDGE updates were posted on current UVa commitments last week. Yorktown senior RB Max Milien is expected to return to his team's lineup this week. The 6-1, 195-pound back has missed his team's first three games (three wins) due to a bruise and a partial tear of the TCL in one knee. Coach Bruce Hanson was quick to say that Milien, who committed to UVa in March, will not be rushed back.

Hanson says Milien has been impressed by the UVa staff's support throughout the injury. Milien remains very much committed to the Hoos.

"He loves that place," Hanson said of UVa.

Mount Carmel (PA) WR/TE/DE Mark Ambrose reaffirmed his commitment to the Cavs as well. The 6-6, 220-pound tight end prospect made an unofficial visit to the University of Iowa this summer after he received an offer from the Hawkeyes. The visit actually made Ambrose feel even better about his verbal to Virginia.

This season has been a tough one for Mount Carmel, which had lost two games in a row (without scoring a touchdown in either) before rebounding with a 27-12 win over Shamokin this past Friday. The team is now 2-2 on the year.

Game ball .

Though Nick Jenkins made eight tackles in a key win over Good Counsel, the game ball for the top performance among UVa commitments goes to Chase Minnifield.

Minnifield, who is having an outstanding season, had four touchdowns on Friday night in leading Henry Clay to a 42-0 win over Bryan Station. The 6-0, 185-pound prospect returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, had 55 yards receiving and two touchdowns, threw for 53 yards and one touchdown, and had 25 yards rushing in the win.

What is more impressive is that the game was called in the third quarter due to weather.

Chris Horne, our resident recruiting expert, provides updates throughout the week for Edge subscribers about UVa's commitments and recruiting targets in football and men's basketball. To sign up for an Edge subscription, please check out the Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page. If you're already on board as an Edge subscriber, click the links below to catch up on recruiting.

Sabre Edge recruiting updates from the past week ...

Hargrave Report: Wallace Impresses; UVa Targets Scott
UVa has several interests in the Hargrave Military Academy postgraduate basketball program for the 2007 class. First and most obvious is Eric Wallace, the outstanding small forward prospect who committed to Coach Dave Leitao's program earlier this summer. The second is Mike Scott, a talented power forward recruit whose interest from the staff appears to be growing significantly.

Catching Up with TE Commit Mark Ambrose
A late-April verbal commitment to the University of Virginia didn't stop the University of Iowa from extending a scholarship offer to Mount Carmel (PA) tight end recruit Mark Ambrose. The 6-6, 220-pound prospect did make an unofficial visit to Iowa earlier this summer and discusses his visit to the Hawkeyes, his commitment to UVa and how his team is doing this season

Also from the past week ...

• Class of '08 Preview: Highland Springs
• Anderson Star Another Potential UVa OL Recruit
• Big OL Impressed at UVa's Camp
• Oaks Christian WR Returns from Latest Official
• UVa RB Commit Milien Set to Return

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CHO is served by Delta Connection, United Express, US Airways Express and Northwest Airlines. Whether you are flying to or from Charlottesville you will be impressed. Thank you again for supporting our sponsors. Please remember that TheSabre's sponsors are your sponsors! They directly contribute towards our ability to bring you a better Web site.

Thank you again for supporting our sponsors. Please remember that TheSabre's sponsors are your sponsors! They directly contribute towards our ability to bring you a better Web site.

Post of the Week

This week's Post of the Week came from the EDGE board where KemHOOsabe started an excellent thread. This post is really what message boards should be about instead of bickering and nitpicking. KemHOOsabe made a set of observations, backed up those observations with analysis and numbers, and then posed a few potentially opposing questions in order to provide answers to the most obvious critiques. That approach brought this post:

Subject: Statistical comparison: Sewell v. McCabe (long)
Posted by: KemHOOsabe on Sun Sep 24 2006 2:27:44 AM
Message: I found myself quite baffled by all the fellow Sabreites who have stated that "we've found our QB" in Sewell. So I went back and did a statistical comparison between the two. I've left out Olsen b/c he does not figure for potential next year. Here it goes:

Number of series played in 06 (excluding end of half "take a knee")
Sewell: 19 (1 Pitt, 5 WM; 13 GaT)
McCabe: 8 (1 Pitt, 3 Wyo, 4 WM)

Number of TD drives
McCabe 2
Sewell 1

Kevin McCabe

Number of INTs
McCabe 3
Sewell 2

Number of drives of 10 yards or less
Sewell - 11 of 19
McCabe - 1 of 8

Number of drives 25 yards or more
McCabe - 6 of 8
Sewell - 3 of 19

Number of times crossing midfield from inside our own 30
McCabe - 5 of 7 (1 drive started at UVA 25 - OT touchdown)
Sewell - 1 for 10

Number of times crossing midfield (total)
McCabe - 5 of 7
Sewell - 2 for 17

Number of series with 4 plays or fewer
Sewell - 11 of 19 (0 TD, 2 INT)
McCabe 2 of 8 (1 TD, 1 INT)

Jameel Sewell

Number of times starting drive in opponents territory (result)
Sewell 2 (TD and Missed FG)
McCabe 1 (Overtime TD)

5 longest drives (yards)
1) 83 yds - WM - (McCabe)
2) 51 yds - Pitt - (McCabe)
3) 49 yds - Wyo - (McCabe)
4) 47 yds - GaT - (Sewell)
4) 45 yds - Wyo - (McCabe)

5 longest drives (plays)
1) 12 - Wyo - (McCabe)
2) 10 - WM - (McCabe)
3) 9 - Wyo (McCabe)
3) 9 - GaT (Sewell)
5) 8 - WM (McCabe)

My Conclusions and argument for McCabe:

1) McCabe has had bad field position every time he's started a series and has crossed midfield every time except two times (yep, his two ints against WM).
2) Sewell has never crossed midfield at any point when the game was within 24 points and only twice then (once starting at our 45)
3) McCabe has thrown 2 Int in our territory and so has Sewell
4) McCabe has succeeded the only time he was allowed to finish a game and Sewell is 0 for 2
5) McCabe sees the whole field and does not telegraph his passes (ok, non-statistical I know, but I had to throw in an observational)

I apologize for the long-winded post, but I am absolutely baffled how people can dismiss McCabe so easily. Is it inconceivable that he could learn from his mistakes? After all, his three INTs were all different (trying to do too much against Pitt, ball sailed on 2nd, and misread our number 6 receiver on the third). Chad Henne, Brady Quinn, and others who have played more than 8 series have made those same mistakes and yet they still play.

You may ask:

But KemHOOsabe, two of his INTs were returned for TDs, what about that?? My response is that they were bad breaks. The Pitt one didn't matter, just like Sewell's two against GT. The other was a tough break. If we had tackled the guy and held WM to a field goal, he may still be in and we may be 2-2 instead of 1-3.

What about him calling the wrong formations?? He's played 8 total series -- give the kid a break. I would rather have a guy gain yards from the wrong formation than two guys who gain nothing from the correct formations.

Don't we need a QB who can elude the rush?? Yes. But my observations are that McCabe has a greater pocket presence and senses the rush much better. It ain't like Sewell is an elusive scrambler.

Isn't better to have a QB in that doesn't cost us points?? If you assume McCabe will never learn from his mistakes, he will continue to cost us points (and he will score some too). If you assume the same for Sewell, our defense will be on the field 75% of every game, which is guaranteed to cost us points (and we won't score any).

McCabe looks off his receivers, makes quicker decisions, has a pretty quick release, has touch, has pocket presence, has made clutch plays, and makes mistakes. Sewell has a stronger arm, tends to telegraph passes, throws from the wind-up and makes mistakes.

In sum, I hope Sewell learns, matures and is ready in two years. I like the kid but he ain't near ready -- he needs practice and not in games. I'll support whoever Groh puts out there, but I'm tired of stagnant offense. McCabe is anything but stagnant. Give the kid another chance -- now, please.

Go HOOS

License Plate section is up in Wahoowa!

A few weeks ago, SabreMail made a request for anyone who had license plates that reflected your status as a Hoo fan. The responses have started to trickle in and the Plates Photos are up and running the Wahoowa! section of the site. The Wahoowa! section of the Sabre is dedicated to all things associated with UVa Fan-dom. There are various fan-related areas including desktop wallpaper, Fan of the Week photos, V-Sabres Worldwide, and more. If you have suggestions for new and interesting things in the Wahoowa! section, please email us at [email protected] with the header: Wahoowa! suggestion.

We'd like to keep adding photos to the section so if your license plate shows that you're a Hoo fan, let us know so we can include you in our gallery. All you need to do is snap a picture of your license plate and email a jpeg version of the photo to [email protected] with the email header: License Plate Photo.

UVa Bookstores' 2006 Virginia Football Pick 'Em

Pick'em is simple. The first contestant who picks the winner and comes closest to predicting the final score wins. In case of ties, the earliest entry will be awarded the prize.

Entries must be received by 12:00 a.m. EST game day. Entries received after 12:00 a.m. (midnight the night before the game) are ineligible. Limit one entry per person. The next business day following game day, UVa Bookstores will email a short note regarding the results.

For the full information or to enter, click here!

Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

• Cavalier Women's Soccer Tops Duke 1-0: The Virginia women's soccer team improved to 2-0-0 in the ACC with a 1-0 win over Duke Sunday at Klockner Stadium. The Cavaliers got a 79th minute goal from Jess Rostedt to lift them over the Blue Devils and improve to 7-2-1 overall this season.
• Wigger Leads UVa with 2nd-Place Finish at Fall Preview: Behind a pair of top 10 finishes by Leah Wigger and Jennie Arseneault, the 15th-ranked Virginia women's golf team finished 10th at The Fall Preview held at The Legends Course in Daytona Beach. Wigger's runner-up finished marked the fifth time in her UVa career the senior has placed second at an event. She shot 1-under 71 during Sunday's final round for a 54-hole total of 1-under 215. Arseneault also shot 71 during the final round to place 10th at 2-over 218.
• Men finish third, women sixth at Roy Griak XC Invitational:The Virginia men's cross country team, took a third-place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis. The women, led by Emily Harrison's fifth-place individual finish, took sixth overall.
• No. 8 UNC Hands No. 1 Men's Soccer First Loss, 2-1: No. 8 North Carolina used two second-half goals including the eventual game-winner by Eddie Ababio in the 75th minute to knock off No. 1 Virginia, 2-1, Friday night at Fetzer Field.

To read the full stories or gather more information on Virignia athletics, check out Virginiasports.com.

Issue No. 1 - Sept. 6, 2001

Welcome to the first edition of SabreMail. What is SabreMail, you ask? Well, it's a combination of things. Primarily, it's designed to efficiently keep you up to date on the Hoos. If you just don't have the time to visit TheSabre.com a dozen times per day, then SabreMail is just what you need.

SabreMail has two purposes: 1) You'll get a weekly email from us which will include the latest University of Virginia football and basketball news, recruiting news, and hot issues on the message boards, as well as recent updates we have made to TheSabre.com. 2) SabreMail will bring you important breaking news - for example, a recruiting commitment or the receipt of a large multimillion dollar gift for the new basketball arena.

SabreMail also gives us the opportunity to inform you of new merchandise in TheSabreShop.com as well as special sales and close-outs.

If you think you'd enjoy this feature, then you don't have to do a thing. SabreMail will be delivered to your email address every week. Just remember to update us on any email address changes you have in the future. If you aren't interested in this feature, please scroll to the bottom and click the REMOVE link. But before you do, please scan over this SabreMail and make your decision then.

Note: the 'remove' link is a one click removal system, so don't click it unless you are certain you do not want to receive SabreMail.

Thanks and enjoy!

Mike Ingalls

Coming Soon

Football season has kicked off for Virginia and the Hoos are 1-3. The Sabre is the place to be for all of your Cavalier content as we keep you up to date on all that's going on. Here's a sneak peak at some of the articles to expect on the site in the coming days:

• Greg's Game Grades
  Virginia's road loss to Georgia Tech left UVa at 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in the ACC. How did the team grade out?
• The Turning Point
  What was the key moment in the Cavaliers' loss at Georgia Tech? The Sabre breaks down The Turning Point against the Yellow Jackets.
• Countdown to Signing Day
  Recruiting Expert Chris Horne begins a series of articles that will get you ready for February's football signing day.
• Game Week Coverage
  Virginia tries to stop a two-game slide when it travels to Duke this weekend. The Sabre's Game Week coverage will break down the Blue Devils.

In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles from the past week

Vandy-Hoo's Running Look at UVa-Georgia Tech
Alright, got my beer in hand - a well deserved drink after wrasslin' with gutter debris all afternoon - and the game coverage is firing up. I'm sipping my Yuengling, getting relaxed, ready to settle in for some Thursday night football - my mind wandering a little about some errands ... maybe I'll pay some bills, read a magazine while the game plays in the background. Who am I kidding? There's a game on.

JHoo: 10 Things I Learned Against GT
Looking for the silver lining in this week's 24-7 loss to Georgia Tech in the Hoos' ACC opener? You will have to look pretty hard. There were some positives - Jeffrey Fitzgerald, for example - but they were overwhelmingly outweighed by the minuses. We will examine both in the 10 Things I Learned Against Georgia Tech.

Jackets, Johnson Stomp Cavaliers
The Virginia football team suffered another stinging loss Thursday night. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, it wasn't just because that's a clever pun when playing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. UVa's offense continued to sputter, penalties and turnovers remained a concern, and the defense gave up two big plays. The result was another disheartening loss as GT rolled 24-7 in the ACC opener for both teams.

Keys to the Game - Georgia Tech
After splitting two home games (including a one-point overtime win), the Hoos need to improve wherever they are playing, but the team has struggled on the road in recent years. Does that mean hope is lost for the showdown with Georgia Tech? Of course not. But the Cavaliers will need to focus on the following keys to have a shot at shocking the Jackets.

Best Seat in the House: Gailey & Fitzgerald
Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey's team plays its fourth straight home game tonight when Virginia rolls into Atlanta. The Yellow Jackets have won back-to-back games, while the Cavaliers have opened with a 1-2 record. One bright spot despite the sluggish start, however, has been defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who will try to help the Hoos' defense contain GT on the road. Jed Williams caught up with both recently on The Best Seat in the House to talk about the game.

The Hawk's Nest - Thursday Night Can Be A Boost
After a tough Homecoming loss to Western Michigan, the University of Virginia football team looks to get back on track this week against a tough Georgia Tech team. The Hoos are playing on ESPN, which should be an added plus to help the team get fired up. I can remember my last Thursday night ESPN game my senior year. It also was against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Most Cavalier fans are hoping that this game turns out differently than that one.

Game Preview: Georgia Tech, Part 3
Does anyone know what to expect from the Virginia offense this season? Well, other than little production, not really. The Hoos have used three different quarterbacks, multiple running backs, receivers, and tight ends. Nothing has sparked a turn-around. Now, the Hoos get to take on an always aggressive Georgia Tech defense. Same song, same verse? Maybe, maybe not. But the Cavaliers are expected to start their third different quarterback - Jameel Sewell - to see if they can get something going on offense.

Hoos Tailgating With Mom - Mushroom Dip & Club Rolls
When Virginia opens ACC play tonight at Georgia Tech, there certainly will be tons of Hoo fans in Atlanta rooting the team on. But Thursday night games make it hard to travel long distances so there are probably plenty of Cavalier backers ready to watch the showdown on ESPN. With that in mind, this week's tailgating recipes have a make-it-at-home living room twist.

Sabre Roundtable: WCAV Debuts With GT
The Sabre welcomes the WCAV sports anchor crew to their first ever roundtable. Virginia started its season 1-2, grabbing the only win in overtime against Wyoming. The Hoos travel to Georgia Tech for an ACC Thursday night showdown. To help get you ready for the game, WCAV's Marc Davis, J.W. Stehle, and Dave Strumpf join Sabre editor Kris Wright for 5 roundtable questions, including one on captain Chris Long.

Game Preview: Georgia Tech, Part 2
There are few, if any, people out there who envy the Virginia football team this week. The Cavaliers are coming off a disappointing home loss to Western Michigan and they have a short week to prepare for the always aggressive Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech. Still, Thursday night is the ACC opener for both teams and the Hoos will try to get a leg up in the Coastal Division race with a road win - that will likely take a stellar performance from the UVa defense.

Cavalier Call-in Highlights 2006, Show 4
Virginia has defeated the Yellow Jackets three straight times, but following the frustrating loss to Western Michigan on Saturday, things don't look to promising this week. Coach Al Groh joined Mac McDonald for the Cavalier Call-in show on Monday night as the Hoos prepare for Georgia Tech on Thursday night.

The Sabre & WCAV Announce Partnership
The Sabre.com is excited to announce a new business partnership that will benefit Sabre fans and all Virginia fans alike. The Sabre is teaming up with Charlottesville's WCAV TV (CBS 19, Gray Television) to bring video - free and available to all - to the Sabre.com. Gray Television is the flagship television partner for Virginia athletics.

Game Preview: Georgia Tech, Part 1
There's no time to dwell on the weekend loss for the Virginia football team - the Hoos' ACC opener comes on a short preparation week with a trip to Georgia Tech. The Cavaliers have done a good job against the Yellow Jackets under Al Groh, but this team has yet to find its stride. The Sabre's game week coverage starts with Match-Ups to Watch, Absolutes and Desirables, and a look at the special teams.

Greg's Game Grades: WMU 17, UVa 10
After Saturday's Homecoming setback against Western Michigan, the Hoos stand 1-2 with their ACC opener looming on Thursday. The offense had one touchdown drive and two critical turnovers, while the defense once again had a solid afternoon. The special teams continued to have up-and-down performances. How did the grades shake out this week?

Photo Gallery: Western Michigan at Virginia
The Virginia football team came up short against Western Michigan on Saturday, falling 17-10 on Homecoming. Andrew Pearman and the Hoos never led in the game as the Broncos took the lead before halftime and pitched a shutout from there.View images of the game in this photo gallery.

Every week, Sabre Edge provides you with exclusive articles, columns, special features, interviews and recruiting news, including daily recruiting updates. There's even a special message board just for subscribers. And to top it off, you get 10 percent off all of your UVa Bookstores purchases during your subscription.

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