The college football season is only 13 days away, and the Hoos will kick it off with the first college game of the season when they play Colorado State in Charlottesville on Thursday, August 22nd. The NCAA has stated that this is the earliest a college game has ever been played.

Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST. The game will be televised by Comcast Sports Net and Fox Sports Net regionally. With UVa students still on break, some tickets are still available. Contact the UVa Ticket Office for more details at 800-542-8821.

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The Freshmen Experience
By Chris Horne

In a little over two weeks, Cavalier fans will get a first glimpse at a promising young Virginia football team as it takes on Colorado State at Scott Stadium. This year's squad may endure it's share of bumps and bruises along the way, however, the reason for excitement is obvious.Virginia reeled in a consensus Top 10 recruiting class in February 2002. As many as 15 of these true freshmen promise to see significant action throughout the upcoming season, beginning in the August 22 opener. At Virginia's media day last week, Coach Groh was happy with how his blue chip recruiting class looked up close.

"The Rookie's came in on Friday (July 26)," said Groh. "As hyped as this group was, the talent level is every bit of what it should be."

While these athletes certainly have the talent to play and perhaps even start early, adjusting to Division I football can be a tough task. The young freshmen will compete for early playing time, however Coach Groh and staff do not want to rush them in too quickly. Coach Groh knows his Cavaliers must have these freshmen contribute early on to be successful, however he has a game plan that will provide them with the opportunity for success while, at the same time, not throwing his young group to the wolves of Division I-A competition.

"Everyone, including the coaches, wants to step it up," said Groh at Virginia's Media Day. "We have the urgency to succeed. We will put the young players in roles that they already have experience in. Wali Lundy and Michael Johnson know how to return kicks. Darryl Blackstock knows how to rush the quarterback. Tom Hagan knows how to punt. Ron Morton knows how to run fast."

"We will then expand each role gradually."

Coach Groh's development plan for the freshmen is concise and thorough, however don't be surprised to see the freshmen class make a big splash against the Colorado State Rams. Cavalier fans hope the freshmen class can help turn those first year bumps and bruises into a foundation for Virginia's football rise to college football's elite.

At Virginia's Media Day, TheSabre.com was able to catch up with Darryl Blackstock, Kwakou Robinson, Kai Parham, Michael Johnson, and Wali Lundy to talk about their brief experience at Virginia and what they expect out of this season and anything else on their minds. All of these players seemed excited about the opportunities they will have this season and look forward to taking the field on August 22.

Kwakou Robinson - #98, DE 6'4" 298

Kwakou Robinson will become a regular part of the defensive line rotation from Day 1. With his quickness and speed to go along with a massive 6'4" 303 pound frame, Robinson figures to play defensive end for the Cavaliers. Seeing Kwakou for the first time at Media Day, it is clear that he embodies the definition of "Man Child."

On his brief Virginia experience:

"It's been an interesting experience. It's something new, and whenever you go into something new you always need to adjust. It's a new experience to college football, you know, and you just need to take it one step at a time."

On being ready to play, especially with the loss of Larry Simmons:

"After two weeks of preseason, I will be ready. Right now, on the college football level, no, because we haven't been in full pads yet and stuff like that. But after that camp, I will be focused."

Preparing for College Football:

"I didn't think that I needed to prep myself even more but I do. You want to be in superb shape, not just good shape. Once I have superior energy, I will be making plays."

Expectations:

"For right now, I don't really have big expectations since I am only a freshman. I mean, the best players will play. I don't really feel I am in that category as best players yet, but I am right behind that category. But I will play and when I am on the field, I will make plays."

Kai Parham - #52, LB 6'3" 233

Due to a back injury, Kai Parham has not been able to participate fully in preseason drills. His status is unknown as of Media Day, however Coach Groh stated that Kai will play once healthy.

"We will mainstream Kai Parham into the operation as fast as possible," said Groh at Virginia's Media Day. "We feel we can begin a much more aggressive rehabilitation" (for Kai's back injury).

The heralded linebacker from Virginia Beach will become a crucial component of the Cavalier defense for this season and many seasons to come, once he gets healthy.

Kai on his back injury:

"It's alright. I feel OK, as of now. I'm taking it as it goes."

What he's is looking forward to about College Football:

"I look forward to competing. It is a new level, new game. I look forward to all the new challenges."

Being apart of the University of Virginia:

"First of all, I would like to thank the Lord for placing me here. This is the school for me, and I am really looking forward to it. Everybody says college is a great experience. Coming to a school like this, I feel like it would be a great benefit to anyone who gets accepted to this college. I look forward to it."

His football experience so far:

"It's been a big adjustment. This is just strictly football until school starts. These are two-a-days like no other two-a-days I have ever experienced. Not necessarily the practice, but the film study, the meetings, and the preparation."

Darryl Blackstock - #56, 6'4" 224

Blackstock wears the same number as another player Coach Groh taught for many years.Lawrence Taylor. Not to compare DB to one of the best players in NFL history, but it is interesting that Blackstock's specialty is, like LT, sacking the quarterback. The young freshman out of Fork Union Military Academy is confident and eager to show himself on the football field. At Virginia's Media Day, Coach Groh spoke highly of Blackstock and the intangibles he brings to the Cavalier defense.

"He's a bloodhound," said Groh of Blackstock. "He has a high motor. He chases you. Blackstock will be effective. Maybe not in the first game, but he has the speed to give guys trouble."

If you listen to DB, however, you realize he expects immediate success. In fact, he not only expects to contribute this season, but flourish, as he expects to break Chris Slade's UVA sack record by the time he graduates.

DB on attending UVA:

"Virginia is like home. I have been coming up here since I was a sophomore in high school, and then I was recruited. I knew the players that are 4th years now when they were freshmen, so it's nothing new."

Expectations:

"To win. I want to do anything I can do to help this team win. I want to be a full-time starter as a true freshman. I will play OLB and DE, and just be used all around."

The Fork Union Experience:

"It was a learning experience. You had to be there for yourself, no one else was there to back you. especially school wise. I have the football part, but I needed to work on academics. It also got me conditionally right. It put a lot of weight on me, got me stronger. I learned a lot of football terms."

Favorite Defensive End:

"My favorite defensive end is Jevon Kearse (Tennessee Titans)."

Similarities:

"Quick hands, ability to get to the quarterback. Just the talent to rush the quarterback."

Chris Slade's Sack Record:

"The sack record is 40. Yeah, I'm gonna have to get that. You better believe it."

Wali Lundy - #33, RB 6'1" 204

An elusive runner, Wali Lundy will see early PT for the Cavaliers at the running back position. He also possesses great hands, which means he has the versatility to be a productive 3rd down back and even play the 5th receiver in Virginia's 5 WR spread offense. Lundy enjoyed a spectacular summer, where he earned MVP honors in New Jersey's State All-Star game.

On his MVP performance at the NJ All-Star game:

"Any time you win MVP, it gives you confidence. So it will help me going into this season."

Styles of the UVA running backs:

"I think our running styles aren't too much different, but I think I can catch the ball real well. For my size, I catch the ball really well. I have real quick feet, and I can pick up a block."

His role on the team:

" I may go out to receiver some, but I think my primary position is at running back. I really can catch the ball, so I could see myself out there playing receiver in some situations."

UVA's outstanding recruiting class:

"We've got potential. It's a lot of athletes in the freshmen class. Give us a year or two, and I think we will be national championship contenders."

Michael Johnson - #2, 5'10" 187

Michael Johnson is one of those players that is a threat to score any time he touches the football. A track star in high school, Johnson is one of the fastest players on Virginia. But he is more than just a speed back. As Coach Groh said on Media Day, running backs who are elusive are much more dangerous than running backs who are fast but not elusive. According to Groh, both Wali Lundy and Michael Johnson are elusive backs.

"They have visible speed," said Groh. "But they also have instincts and natural elusiveness. It takes a good level of ability to be elusive."

Along with Lundy, Johnson will fill in at running back when Alvin Pearman is not on the field. Expect Coach Groh to try to get MJ on the field as much as possible. Look for Johnson as one of the primary kick returners for the Cavaliers on opening day.

Johnson on his preseason experience and preparation for this upcoming season:

"It's a big transition from high school to college. Even though we had a little rookie camp, it's still not like high school. I have never worked that hard. We had a little conditioning test today, and I passed that, so I am in shape." Over the summer, " I've been here working out. I've been back and forth up here. I would take some time off and go home and take a little vacation with my family, but most of the time I have been here."

Expectations of this season:

"Just to do good, help my team win as many games as possible. It's just my first year and I am trying to learn right now but whatever I can help do to win that is what I want to do."

On how he can help the team win:

2002 Virginia Football Roster

TheSabre.com will update the football roster and player bios around mid-August. Until then, we have provided a printable PDF version of the most recent roster that UVa has sent out. In order to access the printable roster, please refer to the Player Roster page.

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