.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
A much-needed victory, and its first against a Championship Subdivision-level opponent, put some confidence back into Virginia's players this week.
It hardly seemed to matter to the Cavaliers that their 45-21 victory came against a Central Michigan team that had lost 18 of its last 19, or that it was close past halftime.
''It was a big win,'' junior wide receiver Matt Snyder said of his team's first win in four games. ''We're still looking for that first ACC win, but any win is good at this point.''
Getting another one this weekend will be tougher.
Virginia (3-4, 0-3 ACC) welcomes No. 22 Miami (5-2, 3-1), and the Hurricanes are coming off perhaps their most impressive victory of the season, 33-10 against North Carolina.
That gives coach Randy Shannon some concerns because Miami looked downright sleepy at times against Duke two weeks ago, and the Hurricanes have been hearing all week that they can't afford lulls against a team that might suddenly feel it has gained some momentum.
''There's a reason for caution because they just won a game,'' Miami coach Randy Shannon said. ''Anytime you win a game and it's two games back-to-back at home, it's a little bit different. It's going to be a little bit special for them. They'll have a crowd, a lot of fans rooting for Virginia, and we're going to have to play hard for four quarters.''
Miami also can't afford another league loss. The Hurricanes trail Virginia Tech by one game in the Coastal Division standings, and have a showdown with the Hokies on Nov. 20.
''It's going to be one of those games that I'll tell the players you can't slack off or do anything different,'' Shannon said. ''You can't always dwell on the past. There are people saying things and making you feel good, but it really doesn't make a difference now. We have to focus on Virginia and keep working in the Coastal Division and keep going week by week.''
The Cavaliers haven't won a league game in more than a year, and their three losses this year that pushed their ACC winless streak to nine games have all been essentially blowouts.
But that's what made the victory a week ago meaningful, Snyder said.
''It was a good confidence-booster, and the offense really got going, especially in the second half,'' Snyder said, ''so we're looking to carry that into the Miami game.''
Virginia had a number of recruits at its 44-10 loss to the Tar Heels two weeks ago, and even in the blowout loss, London said the feedback he got was positive. With a roster that is short on talent to fit his systems, the first-year coach said recruits see a chance to play.
That the game will be nationally televised, then, is another opportunity, he said.
''You're going to be auditioning for or playing in front of potential prospects that you've been writing or calling, and now they get a chance to see you up close and personal in terms of watching you on TV,'' he said, ''and having a good showing, being competitive, can only help you. On the other side, if you're not very competitive and you don't do well, it may hurt you. But it's a risk/reward (situation). If you play well, people see you.''
And if the Cavaliers don't play well, London hopes recruits see an opportunity to be part of what he is trying to build.
---
AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.
