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can someone post the write-up for this game. thanks.
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By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Virginia was dominant in games it was supposed to dominate, but it just couldn't
get a big win against the three elite teams in the new ACC -- Miami, Florida
State and Virginia Tech. As a result, the Cavaliers are relegated to a
disappointing appearance in the MPC Computers Bowl on December 27th. Fresno
State didn't reach its potential, but it finished strong with five consecutive
wins.
MPC Computers Bowl
vs.
Who: Fresno State vs. Virginia
When: Mon., Dec. 27, 2 ET (ESPN)
Where: Boise, Idaho
Motivation will not be a problem for Pat Hill's Bulldogs. Upsetting a Virginia
team that was ranked as high as No. 6 at one point this season would be a
terrific accomplishment for Hill's program, and would serve as a springboard for
the 2005 season.
In order to avoid a letdown, Virginia must jump out to an early lead and rely on
RB Alvin Pearman to shoulder the load the rest of the way in his final
collegiate performance.
When Fresno State has the ball
Fresno State run offense vs. Virginia run defense
Despite the season-ending injury suffered by RB Dwayne Wright early on, the
Bulldogs' offense has remained dependant on the rushing attack. Anchored by LOT
Logan Mankins, their offensive line has good overall size and terrific
experience. It is a group that is much more efficient blocking for the run than
it is protecting the passer.
Furthermore, when RB Bryson Sumlin gets into a rhythm with a lot of carries
early on, it typically leads to a good performance. The trouble for Fresno is
that Virginia's run defense ranks 18th in the nation and has the potential to be
smothering. The Cavaliers play a 3-4 scheme that requires its front three to
play disciplined in a gap-control technique.
The object is to occupy blockers in order to free up ILBs Kai Parham and Ahmad
Brooks to roam from sideline-to-sideline. The Bulldogs haven't faced a defensive
front with as much size and speed as the one it will face in this game. If
Virginia's defensive unit comes to play, it should suffocate Sumlin and force
the Bulldogs out of character.
Advantage: Virginia
Fresno State pass offense vs. Virginia pass defense
QB Paul Pinegar has settled down after a miserably disappointing start to his
junior season. Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti has simply limited Pinegar's
attempts by focusing on the running game. Pinegar hasn't attempted more than 20
passes in the last five games, but he has completed 66.3 percent of his throws
with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions during that span.
Ahmad Brooks will be unleashed on Fresno State QB Paul Pinegar.
Pinegar will need to be accurate as an underneath passer against a Virginia
cover-2 scheme that gives up a lot of short throws, but won't give up many plays
vertically. Pinegar doesn't have any big-play receiving weapons, but he does
have good consistency and depth with WRs Joe Fernandez, Jermaine Jamison and
Adam Jennings.
The trouble for Pinegar will come if he's forced to take on too much of the
offensive responsibility, which is why it's so important that the Bulldogs
establish the run early and avoid falling behind. Brooks and OLB Darryl
Blackstock combined for 17.5 sacks. They can be devastating pass rushers and
defensive coordinator Al Golden will turn them lose if his team has a lead.
Advantage: Virginia
When Virginia has the ball
Virginia run offense vs. Fresno State run defense
Virginia's goal is always to establish its running attack That should be
attainable against a Bulldogs' run defense ranked 66th in the country. Virginia
doesn't have great size up front, but it has a technically sound and efficient
offensive line that can be devastating in its own right.
ROG Elton Brown and LOT D'Brickashaw Ferguson are two of the best in the nation
at their respective positions, but there really isn't a weak link on the unit.
With Brown likely to dominate DT Garrett McIntyre, and OC Zac Yarbrough capable
of handling NT Donyell Booker, the Cavaliers have the potential to control the
battle in the trenches.
With a one-two punch like Alvin Pearman and Wali Lundy, things could get ugly
quickly for the Bulldogs' defense. Pearman has taken over as the primary ball
carrier, but both backs have more than 150 carries on the season. Pearman is
averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and Lundy is averaging five yards per carry with
an ACC-high 16 touchdowns.
It's never good when a safety leads a defense in tackles, and that's exactly the
case with the Bulldogs. FS Tyrone Culver has notched 59 total tackles on the
season. MLB Dwayne Andrews and OLBs Marcus Riley and Alan Goodwin must do a
better job of taking on and shedding blocks for the Bulldogs to stand a chance.
Virginia's running attack averages 228 yards per game.
Advantage: Virginia
Virginia pass offense vs. Fresno State pass defense
The Cavaliers' passing attack is predictable and lacks explosiveness. It can be
an effective complement to the running game, but it is largely ineffective on
its own. QB Marques Hagans has been brilliant at times, but he also has failed
to step up in big games.
Virginia will need to make some plays in the passing game.
Hagans is a terrific athlete who will buy extra time and is capable of burning
Fresno State if it doesn't play with contain. He also has been efficient for the
most part as a passer this season. However, he doesn't have the arm strength or
the weapons at wide receiver to stretch the field vertically. That will make
life much easier on DCs Richard Marshall and Marcus McCauley, while also freeing
up Culver and James Sanders to be much more active in run support and underneath
coverage.
The Cavs rely heavily on their running backs and TE Heath Miller in the passing
game, as Pearman, Lundy and Miller have combined for 73 of the team's 161
receptions this season. Perhaps the most crucial matchup of the game will be
between Sanders and Miller. Sanders is an all-MWC performer, with good toughness
and athleticism. His lack of size could cost him against Miller, who has become
as proficient as any tight end in the country in terms of using his size and
gaining separation.
Advantage: Fresno State
Special teams
Fresno is better than average on special teams, but Virginia has an advantage in
the return game. There isn't a huge difference in the place kicking talent in
this game. Connor Hughes is 15 of 22 on field goal attempts, with a long of 50,
while Brett Visintainer is 9 of 13, with a long of just 45. Jennings is
averaging 25.2 yards per kickoff return and headlines a Bulldogs' kickoff return
unit that ranks 15th nationally.
The problem for Fresno is that Virginia ranks fifth in kickoff returns and 37th
in punt returns. While Jennings is solid, Virginia KOR Marquis Weeks is
downright explosive, averaging 32.2 yards per kickoff return, with 100-yard
score. Neither team is good in the punting department. Pearman, who averages
11.2 yards per attempt, gives Virginia the better odds of exposing that
weakness.
Advantage: Virginia
Bottom line
Hill's gang is always dangerous, especially against a team that doesn't bring
its "A-game". The Bulldogs have won five-straight and have enjoyed a second-half
resurgence. They have enough balance on offense and confidence on defense to
make things tough for a Virginia team that may sleepwalk into this game.
However, the Cavalier's superior talent will eventually take over.
It will require one of Groh's best coaching performances, but if he can get his
team to play hard early, the Cavs should control things in the second half. The
Bulldogs rely on their running game to set up their passing attack and to keep
their defense fresh, but the Cavs' run defense can be stifling. If the Cavs can
shut down the run and force Pinegar to shoulder more of the load than he has
recently, their pass rush will lead to the pipes bursting for Fresno State's
offense.
Pearman has come on strong with 729 rushing yards in the last five games, and
the senior will want to go out on a high note. It might not be pretty, but the
Cavs will eventually wrestle control away early in the second half, and that's
when Pearman will take over.
Prediction: Virginia 33, Fresno State 24
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