CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia found out where it stands competitively after Florida State's visit on Saturday - the Cavaliers have a long way to go.
First-year coach Mike London and his staff said now the Cavaliers have to understand that the journey needn't take long.
Virginia (2-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) plays at Georgia Tech (3-2, 2-1) on Saturday. Much attention will be paid to the matchup with Al Groh, who coached Virginia for nine years and is now the Yellow Jackets defensive coordinator.
Of greater import to London, though, is how they rebound from their disappointment, study their mistakes and work to show they can be better than most people think.
The early signs, at least the effort, are good, he said.
"I noticed that the attitude was one that we don't want to get used to the feeling that you have when you don't play well on Saturdays," London said, speaking of his team's demeanor when it gathered for the first practice after the not-that-close 34-14 loss to the Seminoles.
Florida State led 27-0 at halftime.
"I think our guys are pretty much excited about the fact that we have another opportunity to play again. Our mindset is still strong," London said. "We're all we've got. We talk about family and things like that, and that's what it is when you have a football team, a young football team that sometimes is looking for an identity. So far we'll keep forging ahead."
Even away from the field, the work of getting better has increased.
"The team is real focused," wide receiver Kris Burd said. "It's hard to say that were not. There's a lot of things players have to do on their own to really play the best game that they can, and I see a lot of guys taking that step in the right direction."
London said he looks for players to check their own personal accountability, and to spend more time looking at film, work harder in practice and do other things to better prepare.
That's all easier, center Anthony Mihota said, after a lopsided loss.
"We can't be happy with the performance," he said, "but we have to move forward from everything that we have and think about the positive and take the negative with it."
While London has downplayed the matchup with Groh, it can't hurt his team. Players like Keith Payne, Dontrelle Inman and even quarterback Marc Verica appear to be thriving under the new coaching regime, many of them having breakout seasons in their last opportunities.
He also likes that they understand it's not on one player to make strides.
Verica, for example, struggled against the Seminoles, especially in the first half. Hit often by their sack-happy defense, his passes were off target and he took some bad sacks.
"Everyone is looking for everyone to do their job, but everyone understands that we're only going to be as good as when you add up 22 guys, and those 22 guys are doing their jobs," London said. "As I said, our guys are not finger pointing or playing the blame game or anything like that. We've all got to do a better job. I think the players recognize that."
Groh, who spoke often during his nine seasons at Virginia of his contact with former player, said there are many players with the Cavaliers now that have stayed in touch.
"There are many players on the current Virginia team that I look forward to having that relationship with in the future," he said. "I have much appreciated the players that have stayed in touch with me the past few months, so that is why I say I look forward to developing those relationships as they move on into their circumstances."
First, though, there's a game to be played. The hugs and hellos will come later.
Tuesday
June 10th, 2025
6:15PM
