Heisman Trophy Candidate Matt Schaub

It's August. You know what that means: football season is here!! Ever since the Wahoos crushed ranked Maryland and West Virginia teams to close the season, many Cavalier fans could not wait for this moment to arrive. In just 29 days the Hoos will suit up at Scott Stadium for their opener against conference opponent Duke. Yes, that's less than a month away.

There are high expectations for this group of talented Cavalier football players. ACC sportswriters picked UVa to finish seventh in the conference last season, and many had predicted the Hoos to finish with an overall losing record. Instead, UVa finished second in the conference, losing only to Georgia Tech and Florida State. The Hoos also finished the season with a 9-5 overall record after disposing of highly-ranked West Virginia in the Continental Tire Bowl.

How will the Hoos fair this season? Well, they are returning most every starter, and some of those very talented recruits from the last two classes have yet to see the field. Players like Marcus Hamilton, Kenneth Tynes, Tony Franklin, Kai Parham and Ron Morton are primed and ready to break out. And let us not forget those super star recruits from the last recruiting class who will be making their debut this season as well. Ahmad Brooks, Keenan Carter, Vince Redd, Jonathan Stupar, Fontel Mines and several others have a shot to see playing time this fall. It is rare that UVa has seen this kind of depth, speed and talent for one squad. How these players mature and learn the system could mean the difference between a good season and an unbelievable one.

And it doesn't hurt that Virginia has its own Heisman Trophy candidate in fifth-year senior quarterback Matt Schaub. Schaub started the season with a big question mark next to his name, but prospered as the season wore on. Not only did Schaub get better, he finished the season as one of the best quarterbacks nationally (finishing 6th in passing efficiency), garnering several awards and honors, including ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year. Schaub set 10 UVa single-season records while finishing the season with a completion percentage of 68.9 (second best nationally) and throwing for 28 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions. His targets this year will be proven receivers Michael McGrew and Ryan Sawyer. Schaub will also throw a lot of his passes to arguably the best tight-end duo in the nation, Patrick Estes and Heath Miller.

Defensively, watch out for super-soph Darryl Blackstock! Blackstock led all freshmen nationally last season in sacks with 10. His speed, strength and desire should make him a strong candidate for many awards this season. But sacks aren't all that Blackstock's about. He's a sure tackler with excellent instincts. Blackstock finished the season racking up 107 total tackles while playing in all 14 of Virginia's games as a true freshman. He also forced 21 quarterback hurries, caused three fumbles, recovered two fumbles and snagged an interception against West Virginia. If opposing teams hope to contend with UVa this season, they'll have to find a way to stop Blackstock.

Virginia finished near the bottom in most national defensive statistical categories last season, but that was due mostly to youth. Now that these players have a year under their belts, the Cavaliers should be a force defensively this season.

One thing's for sure. This season will be a memorable one.

Oh, and if you're looking for #7 and #56 replica jerseys, be sure to check out TheSabreShop.com within the next couple of days to place your order.

See you at the games! Go Hoos!!

DT Marque Hall (Forest Hills HS; Marshville, NC) is wide open at this point, however he named UNC, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Tennessee, and South Carolina as schools he would like to visit before the February signing day. Hall likes UNC and NC State due to proximity to home. Virginia has offered and is recruiting him to play on the offensive line.

Franklin County (Rocky Mount, VA) defensive back Patrick Preston attended UVA's summer camp. The 6-1, 182 pound corner is being recruited by the Cavaliers but has not received a scholarship offer. He is being recruited by most ACC schools except for FSU, with Wake Forest and Duke recruiting the hardest at this point. Hampton and the University of Richmond are also looking at Preston.

Brandon Fanney, a defensive end from Morristown, TN, is a new name on the Cavaliers' target list. The 6-5, 261 pound Fanney has been offered by UVA, VT, Alabama, and NC State. FSU and Georgia are among the schools actively recruiting the first-team all-state performer.

Chase Bullock, a linebacker from Northern Durham High School in Durham, NC, has received offers from UVA, Wake Forest, Maryland, Duke, and Marshall. Virginia and Wake Forest are his two favorites, and he says he knows he will officially visit both of those schools.

Continuing its involvement in the state of North Carolina, Virginia is in the top five for West Charlotte cornerback Rod Council. Council impressed UVA coaches at UVA's summer camp and has received offers from UVA, ND, and Michigan among others. His top five is UVA, ND, Michigan, NCSU, and UNC. Both in-state programs have not offered, but both are expected to.

In basketball recruiting, PF/C prospect Cornelio Guibunda favors Virginia, according to a story in the Richmond Times Dispatch. Guibunda, who is a wiry 6-9, 215 pound prospect, will officially visit UVA in September.

Other news:

Robinson (Fairfax, VA) wide receiver Clarence Vaughn committed to Wake Forest over interest from Virginia Tech and UVA (neither of whom had offered), among others. Vaughn camped at Wake and had a good experience down in Winston-Salem.

Dual-threat QB prospect DT McDowell out of Georgia committed to Nebraska.

For years, many of you have been participating in or asking us about fantasy football leagues where you and your fellow Hoos could participate.

Well, we were listening and have teamed up with SandboxPlus, which was voted "Best of Web" by Forbes Magazine. If you play Fantasy Football or interested in playing, now is a perfect opportunity to play and help TheSabre.com at the same time.

Here is the skinny on what you get and how to join up (see link below for all the details):

• We have created several leagues to get the ball rolling:
  • Win a Prize from TheSabreShop.com!
  • Sabre Nation
  • TheSabre EDGEers
  • Schaub for Heisman
  • Rafael Garcia Appreciation League
  • Certified Al's Idiots
  • Wilk Hall League
  • Beat Tech
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  • Make your own
• Rookie to fantasy football or just need some help getting started? Call SandboxPlus at (800) 267-1780 and they will help you set up your league, or get you into a Sabre league in less than 5 minutes. Or, go to the Corner Board (General Discussion) and post any questions you may have about our partnership with Sandbox Plus and/or fantasy football and a rep from Sandbox will answer them that day.
• Play with fellow Sabre members AND bring over your office or annual league too - you get 2 teams as part of our special deal for members of TheSabre.com community.
• Additional access to fantasy hockey and basketball when you start up, and a complimentary 1 yr. subscription to Maxim, Kiplinger's, or Golf magazine when you register.
• Overall, Sandbox provides the absolute best fantasy value; play with the most powerful features, make smart decisions with their integrated fantasy news and analysis and receive the ultimate fantasy experience.

Click the link below to find out how to sign up. Yours truly will be signing up tomorrow to participate. Think you can beat the BoardHost? Jump on board and choose your team!

Oh, and as an added bonus, sign up before August 5th, 2003 and receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Maxim magazine (a $48.00 value)!

University of Virginia football fans have several upcoming opportunities to acquaint themselves with the 2003 Cavaliers with several open practices, as well as the annual "Meet the Team" event.

Head coach Al Groh, his staff and team open training camp on Wednesday (Aug. 6) at the practice fields adjacent to the McCue Center. Practice that day is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. and is open to fans. That is the first of six open practices during training camp.

Training camp open practices:

Wednesday, Aug. 6 2:20 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7 6:45 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 8 2:20 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9 2:20 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 10 2:20 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 11 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m.

UVa Football Meet the Team Day

For those who would like a chance to meet this edition of the UVa football team, here's your chance. See the info below for details on the event:

Date: Thursday, August 14th
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Place: Scott Stadium

• Use East Gate Entrance
• Parking available in East & South Lots after 3 pm

• Autograph session with 2003 players
• Football uniform try-on station
• Horse & Cavalier present
• Photo opportunities with player cut-outs
• Concessions available
• Bookstore on hand if interested in souvenirs
• Media Guides will be available for sale
• Posters and schedule cards will be distributed
• Free event open to public

Not long after UVa announced its new head baseball coach comes the hiring of its new assistant coach. Karl Kuhn has been hired on a the pitching coach for head coach Brian O'Connor. Kuhn is a 1992 graduate and former baseball player from the University of Florida. Kuhn has a wealth of experience over the past decade. His expertise is recruiting and developing pitchers.

OK, a little 'pun' was intended. Here are some new SabreShop items that will satisfy your orange needs...

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