.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Here we go again, Virginia.
For the second consecutive season, the Virginia Cavaliers followed what appeared to be a season-saving victory over a ranked opponent by losing their next game. Even if the Cavaliers can avoid losing the rest of their games the way they did last year after beating Miami, this much is certain: Their goal of reaching bowl eligibility is going to be tough to achieve with three of their final five games on the road.
''These are tremendous learning pains,'' Virginia coach Mike London said after North Carolina State defeated the Cavaliers 28-14, just a week after Virginia upset then-No. 12 Georgia Tech.
''Coming off the euphoria of a really good game, and then you see how devastating turnovers can be, especially when touchdowns are interceptions and red zone areas where the other team has an opportunity to score points.''
Virginia (4-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) needs two more wins to qualify for its first bowl game since 2007, and the Cavaliers haven't lost hope - no matter how daunting the task. It starts after a short turnaround with a game Thursday night at Miami.
''You win some and you lose some, but how you respond and turn around and move in a direction that you're capable of - we'll see. We'll see how resilient we can be, how we can turn around a short week and get prepared to go on the road and play a very, very good and athletic Miami team,'' London said.
Linebacker Steve Greer said the players will have to do more to prepare on their own with a short week.
''It's going to be on a lot of guys' shoulders to come in and bounce back and get that extra prep time,'' Greer said.
The quick turnaround could be a blessing if it prevents the Cavaliers from dwelling on an ugly performance that included the lowest offensive output - 249 yards total - in London's two seasons. Three interceptions thrown by freshman quarterback David Watford also did not help the cause. Especially damaging was his second pick, which David Amerson returned 11 yards for the clinching touchdown with 6:08 left.
''I just learned that no matter what the outcome is - no matter how well or badly I played - I just have to stay positive for my teammates,'' Watford said. ''I have to make them believe in me, just give them the opportunity to believe in me and that I can get the job done.''
Watford is part of a two-quarterback rotation that London has employed this season, with mixed results. Watford threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Tim Smith to help offset his three interceptions, and sophomore Michael Rocco was mostly ineffective after leading Virginia on a 72-yard scoring drive capped by his 6-yard touchdown pass to Clifton Richardson. Watford got most of the work in the second half.
''I think he's got a ways to go to try to prove his game,'' London said, but he added that offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and the staff felt Watford's ability to escape the North Carolina State blitz gave him an advantage over Rocco. It didn't work.
''They bottled up the outside, made the quarterback step up,'' London said of the Wolfpack defense.
And the Wolfpack (4-3, 1-2) did it with a defensive line that was starting its fourth combination in six games due to injuries. Virginia's 12 first downs and average of 3.7 yards per play were the lowest of any North Carolina State opponent this season.
''We put together six good quarters of defense so we have to keep that going,'' said North Carolina State coach Tom O'Brien, referring to the Virginia game and the second half of last week's win over Central Michigan.
Mike Glennon threw for three touchdowns for North Carolina State, giving him 19 on the season and tying him with Jamie Barnette for sixth on the Wolfpack's all-time season list. Two of those touchdowns went to Bryan Underwood, who caught a 33-yarder in the second quarter and a 79-yarder in the third.
Amerson had two interceptions, giving him an FBS-leading and school record-tying eight for the season.
Glennon was 20 of 36 passing, and James Washington had 82 yards on 25 carries for the Wolfpack.
Watford finished 4 of 16 for 89 yards, and Rocco was 7 of 19 for 36 yards.
