Virginia's Schaub aiming at one of nation's worst defenses

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - The last thing one of the nation&#39;s worst defenses needs is to face a rejuvenated Matt Schaub. <br> <br> Last year&#39;s Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year returned from a shoulder separation last weekend to throw for 326 yards in Virginia&#39;s victory over Wake Forest. He could have another big day Saturday against North Carolina. <br> <br> The Tar Heels (0-4, 0-2 ACC) are ranked 117th in the nation in scoring defense and total defense, allowing a whopping 42.7 points and 522 yards a game. <br> <br> ``It kills me when I see us play like this,&#39;&#39; UNC coach John Bunting said. ``We did make improvement from week one to two to three. But we took a step back this past week. Part of that has to do with (N.C. State quarterback) Philip Rivers and a host of very, very fast players.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Bunting has played as many as 25 different players on defense, trying to find the right combination to stop opponents. <br> <br> ``That&#39;s too many, but there is a reason behind doing that,&#39;&#39; Bunting said. ``I&#39;m trying to shake it out, trying to find out who can help us play better in this season. I&#39;m trying to get better week to week. <br> <br> ``Sometimes when you play as many players as we&#39;re playing it takes a toll, there is a risk. But I&#39;m hoping there is going to be some reward here soon.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Virginia (3-1, 2-0) is trying to remain one of just three teams to stay undefeated in ACC play. Florida State is 4-0 in the league, while Clemson is 1-0 heading to Maryland on Saturday. <br> <br> Coach Al Groh doesn&#39;t expect his team to take the Tar Heels for granted. <br> <br> ``Our mentality is we feel that we&#39;re pretty much up against the wall every week,&#39;&#39; Groh said. ``I can&#39;t remember a game that we&#39;ve played that we really didn&#39;t feel that way since we&#39;ve been here.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> North Carolina bolted to a 21-0 halftime lead last season at Virginia, but quarterback Darian Durant went out with a thumb injury and they eventually lost 37-27. <br> <br> Durant is healthy this time and on a roll, throwing for 323 yards in last weekend&#39;s loss to the Wolfpack. <br> <br> ``I love my quarterback and I&#39;m a tremendous fan of Philip Rivers, but I think Darian Durant is as good a quarterback as there is in the league,&#39;&#39; Groh said. <br> <br> Darian is also North Carolina&#39;s leading rusher. <br> <br> ``Darian has continued to grow,&#39;&#39; Bunting said. ``We are dependent upon him to a large extent, but most offenses are on a quarterback. It&#39;s just his competitive nature that&#39;s most impressive to me.&#39;&#39;