MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — After making the biggest play of the game, LaRoy Reynolds didn’t allow himself time to celebrate.
“I thought we might have to go back on the field,” the Virginia linebacker said. “And we did.”
The Cavaliers defense turned in one more stop, at the buzzer, and it was enough to beat Miami 28-21 in a Thursday night game that opened up a world of possibilities for the Wahoos — both this season, this postseason and in the years to come.
Now sporting a 5-3 record, U.Va. is one win short of reaching the postseason, which would give coach Mike London an extra month of practice time with his players.
Before that, though, Virginia has to prove itself in back-to-back games against Maryland and Duke.
The Cavs have become famous for following big wins with big letdowns, and the next two will be a crucial test of whether the players can sustain the focus they had against Georgia Tech and Miami for more than just a week at a time.
“I think we’re on the way to getting the message, we just need to do it consistently,” London said Friday. “That’s been the knock, I guess. Win a big game, and coming back there’s a lull.”
If U.Va. can shake that rap, games against Florida State and Virginia Tech to end the season suddenly become much more interesting.
But Thursday’s victory will also pay dividends in the years to come. ESPN has broadcast the Cavaliers twice this year — both upset victories. That’s something the schedule makers will consider when plotting out next year’s slate of marquee games.
In addition, London’s recruiting base opens up, as high schoolers who had never seen the team play gained a positive impression of the fun-loving, trick-play Cavs.
It’s a group that London leads with personality. After beating Miami last year, he collapsed on the field momentarily. Emotion, or rather the strain of a condensed workweek, overtook him again on Thursday, and he did a postgame TV interview while catching his breath.
Quarterback Michael Rocco said the dedication of the staff was evident as they prepared a game plan on little sleep in the hours following the loss to N.C. State.
“It’s just the resilience of our team,” he said. “It was a complete team effort, and the coaching staff did a great job of putting the game plan together on a short week.”
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said that he thought the short week may have been a positive, as players had something to look forward to after losing to the Wolfpack.
London deflected the praise to the players, crediting them for getting back early Friday morning, but still going to class to finish the week.
“It’s a tribute to the working mentality this team has,” he said.
Regardless of the reasons, Thursday’s victory immediately stands as the biggest of the season for Virginia — and one with plenty of implications in the years to come,
• Read Michael Phillips’ blog at: https://www2.timesdispatch.com/list/sports-college-uva/
Please read our comment policy before commenting.