http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/teams/virginia_cavaliers/160 Recent articles about Virginia Cavaliers en-us CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia coach Mike London says junior running back Clifton Richardson has decided to transfer. London says Richardson asked for permission to pursue opportunities elsewhere and he wishes him well. Richardson has two seasons of eligibility remaining.The 6-foot, 210-pound Newport News native played sparingly as Virginia's No. 3 tailback the past two seasons. He carried just 24 times for 59 yards last season after being hampered by a leg injury in 2012. He rushed for 366 yards on 72 carries and two touchdowns as a freshman, a 5.1-yard average. Richardson finished spring practice listed third on the depth chart at tailback, behind Kevin Parks and Khalek Shepherd. Fri, 17 May 2013 12:21:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/rb_clifton_richardson_transferring_from_virginia/13638913 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/rb_clifton_richardson_transferring_from_virginia/13638913 RB Clifton Richardson transferring from Virginia http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/rb_clifton_richardson_transferring_from_virginia/13638913 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Virginia coach Mike London says junior running back Clifton Richardson has decided to transfer. London says Richardson asked for permission to pursue opportunities elsewhere and he wishes him well. Richardson has two seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot, 210-pound Newport News native played sparingly as Virginia's No. 3 tailback the past two seasons. He carried just 24 times for 59 yards last season after being hampered by a leg injury in 2012. He rushed for 366 yards on 72 carries and two touchdowns as a freshman, a 5.1-yard average. Richardson finished spring practice listed third on the depth chart at tailback, behind Kevin Parks and Khalek Shepherd. Thu, 16 May 2013 18:40:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/clifton_richardson_transferring_from_virginia/13633841 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/clifton_richardson_transferring_from_virginia/13633841 Clifton Richardson transferring from Virginia http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/clifton_richardson_transferring_from_virginia/13633841 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Charlottesville, Va.--Virginia football head coach Mike London announced Thursday that junior running back Clifton Richardson will transfer after two years with the Cavaliers. More from Virginia below.. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:38:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/richardson_transfers_form_uva/13633322 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/richardson_transfers_form_uva/13633322 Richardson Transfers form UVa http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/richardson_transfers_form_uva/13633322 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Charlottesville, Va.-- The Virginia defense received an overhaul with Coach Jon Tenuta taking the reigns as the new defensive coordinator this season. Virginia linebacker Henry Coley is one man receiving a brand new role in Tenuta's system. HooNation caught up with Coley about the changes. Thu, 02 May 2013 11:37:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/henry_coley_ready_to_lead/13535849 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/henry_coley_ready_to_lead/13535849 Henry Coley Ready to Lead http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/henry_coley_ready_to_lead/13535849 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Virginia unveiled its post-spring camp depth chart Monday without a defined starter named at quarterback. The depth chart lists, in order: David Watford or Greyson Lambert or Phillip Sims.Coach Mike London and his staff refused to acknowledge a pecking order. But some reports suggest there's more to the list than happenstance. When Michael Rocco left a few months ago, it seemed like the natural next move would be to appoint Alabama transfer Phillip Sims as the new full-time starter. But that hasnt happened. Watford, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore, sat out last season but saw significant action in two games in 2011. In consecutive contests against Southern Mississippi and Idaho at home, Watford combined to complete 20 of 40 pass attempts for 176 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. On the season, he was 30-for-74 for 346 yards, three scores and four interceptions. Lambert is a 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman who was rated the No. 9 quarterback in the Class of 2012, according to Scout.com. The Jesup, Ga Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:12:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/acc_notebook_virginia_remains_undecided_at_quarterback/13472572 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/acc_notebook_virginia_remains_undecided_at_quarterback/13472572 ACC notebook: Virginia remains undecided at quarterback http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/acc_notebook_virginia_remains_undecided_at_quarterback/13472572 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Michael Rocco will have to sit out the season at Richmond after the NCAA denied his appeal for a transfer exception. The former Virginia quarterback transferred after last season. The school appealed to the NCAA for a one-time exception to allow him to play this season, but the NCAA turned it down. NCAA bylaws require a player have two seasons of eligibility to qualify for the exception, and Rocco only has one. Spiders coach Danny Rocco says he's disappointed with the ruling, but that his nephew can practice with the team throughout the season. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:07:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/roccos_ncaa_appeal_denied_will_sit_out_season/13376173 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/roccos_ncaa_appeal_denied_will_sit_out_season/13376173 Rocco's NCAA appeal denied; will sit out season http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/roccos_ncaa_appeal_denied_will_sit_out_season/13376173 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 2012 record: 4-8 overall, 2-6 ACC Spring practice opens: March 18 Spring game date: April 6 2012 in review: A 2-0 start and win over Penn State had Hoo-ville fired up, but then a 56-20 loss to Georgia Tech triggered a six-game losing skid. Virginia dropped eight of its last 10 games, and half the losses were blowouts. Coach Mike London never settled on a quarterback, rotating the more experienced Michael Rocco, whose ceiling was quite low, and Alabama transfer Phillip Sims, who has a very high ceiling. Now that Rocco has transferred, London should regret limiting Sims snaps. Virginia's defense had some really nice moments, but overall, the Cavaliers didnt run the ball well enough and the lack of continuity at QB was a real problem. Biggest hole to fill: Linebacker Steve Greer was sensational last season, getting in on 103 tackles, including eight for a loss of yardage, two sacks among those. Greer also broke up six passes. But its not just Greers numbers that will be hard to replace, but his tenacious a Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:21:51 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/spring_look_ahead_virginia_cavaliers/13243066 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/spring_look_ahead_virginia_cavaliers/13243066 Spring look ahead: Virginia Cavaliers http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/spring_look_ahead_virginia_cavaliers/13243066 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 2012 record: 4-8 overall, 2-6 ACC Spring Practice opens: March 18 Spring game date: April 6 2012 in review: A 2-0 start and win over Penn State had Hoo-ville fired up, but then a 56-20 loss triggered a six-game losing skid and dropping eight of 10 games, half of which were blowout losses. Coach Mike London never settled on a quarterback, rotating the more experienced Michael Rocco, whose ceiling was quite low, and Alabama transfer Phillip Sims, who has a very high ceiling. Now that Rocco has transferred, London should regret limiting Sims snaps, as he did. Virginia's defense had some really nice moments, but overall, the Cavaliers didnt run the ball well enough, and the lack of continuity at QB was a real problem. Biggest hole to fill: Linebacker Steve Greer was sensational last season, getting in on 103 tackles, including eight for a loss of yardage, two being sacks. Greer also broke up six passes. But its not just Greers numbers that will be hard to replace, but his tenacious approach on the field and Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:21:51 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/spring_lookahead_virginia_cavaliers/13236478 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/spring_lookahead_virginia_cavaliers/13236478 Spring lookahead: Virginia Cavaliers http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/spring_lookahead_virginia_cavaliers/13236478 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Draft Zone Spotlight: Will Hill, DT, University of Virginia Will Hill is a big man who takes up a lot of space in the middle of the field, but has quite the motor.  Hill is not just a big space eater; he can actually move pretty well and make plays.  Hill was named captain this year by his teammates and coaches and took that role on head on.  Hill was one of only 11 Cavaliers to start every game, and he finished out his senior year with 25 tackles, 1 sack and 4 tackles for loss.  Hill is a big boy at 6’4, 280 pounds, and could transition well to a 3-4 Defensive End for some NFL team. How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision? 15 to 20 teams recruited me and I just let God lead me to make my decision. Has it always been your dream to be an NFL football player? Yes it has always been my goal. Who was your favorite NFL team growing up, and did you have a player you rooted for? I really didn’t have a favorite team per say but I liked... Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:05:26 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/draft_zone_spotlight_will_hill_dt_university_of_virginia/12933838 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/draft_zone_spotlight_will_hill_dt_university_of_virginia/12933838 Draft Zone Spotlight: Will Hill, DT, University of Virginia http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/draft_zone_spotlight_will_hill_dt_university_of_virginia/12933838 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (ESPN) Virginia parted ways with quarterback Michael Rocco, defensive coordinator Jim Reid and three other coaches Sunday as it cleaned house after the Cavaliers finished 4-8.Rocco, a junior who shared time at quarterback with Alabama transfer Phillip Sims, was granted a release from his scholarship at his request after a meeting Friday, coach Mike London said.London also dismissed defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Jeff Hanson, running backs coach Mike Faragalli and tight ends coach Shawn Moore."After conducting a complete evaluation of the program and discussing my thoughts with administration, there are a number of areas we need to improve on and it starts with me as the head coach." London said in a statement. "The decision to release these four coaches is very difficult, but one I feel is necessary in order to meet the goals we have set for the Virginia football program."To read more, click here.  Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:06:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/uva_fires_four_coaches_releases_rocco/12354412 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/uva_fires_four_coaches_releases_rocco/12354412 UVA Fires Four Coaches, Releases Rocco http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/uva_fires_four_coaches_releases_rocco/12354412 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Virginia quarterback Michael Rocco is transferring. Coach Mike London says he met Friday with the junior quarterback who started 21 games in the past two seasons and granted Rocco's request to be released from his scholarship. Rocco plans to complete the current semester at Virginia. Rocco started all 13 games as a sophomore and led Virginia to an 8-5 record and its first bowl game since the 2007 season. He began this season as the starter after winning the job in preseason competition with Alabama transfer Phillip Sims. Rocco started the first five games, then lost the job to Sims after the Cavaliers lost three straight. Rocco regained the job -- and most of the playing time -- for the last two games of the season. Sun, 02 Dec 2012 13:23:13 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/virginia_qb_rocco_to_transfer/12343657 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/virginia_qb_rocco_to_transfer/12343657 Virginia QB Rocco to transfer http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/virginia_qb_rocco_to_transfer/12343657 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png University of Virginia quarterback Phillip Sims reminded us why the University of Virginia is known more for their pleasant campus and lacrosse team than as a football powerhouse.  On Saturday, Sims led a drive down to the four-yard line of North Carolina State.  On their first down play, the Cavaliers’ coaches called for a beautifully drawn up misdirection trick play. Sims pitched the ball to running back Perry Jones who started running to the right side.  As the Wolfpack’s entire defense followed Jones, Sims rolled to the left and was so wide open that he was the only guy on that half of the field.  Jones lofted a pass back to Sims and… Sims would punch it in two plays later and the Cavs beat the Wolfpack 33-6 but when your team is 3-6 and annually mediocre at best, this play won’t leave you any time soon. Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:24:51 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/fail_of_the_weekend_university_of_virginias_trick_play_video/12132478 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/fail_of_the_weekend_university_of_virginias_trick_play_video/12132478 Fail of the weekend: University of Virginia’s trick play (VIDEO) http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/fail_of_the_weekend_university_of_virginias_trick_play_video/12132478 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png RALEIGH, N.C. -- Phillip Sims ran for one touchdown and threw for another, and Virginia routed North Carolina State 33-6 on Saturday to snap a six-game losing streak. Kevin Parks rushed for 115 yards and a late 31-yard touchdown for the Cavaliers (3-6, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference). Their defense more than doubled its season total for takeaways with five while holding N.C. State to 19 yards rushing, and their offense rolled up 446 total yards to lead Virginia to its first ACC win. Sims was 8 of 10 for 115 yards with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Tim Smith and a 1-yard TD run that started the scoring for Virginia. Backup Michael Rocco added an 18-yard touchdown pass to Darius Jennings. Mike Glennon finished 23 of 46 for a season-low 197 yards with four turnovers -- three interceptions and a fumble. The Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3) has 19 turnovers in their four losses. Glennon's 2-yard touchdown pass to Mario Carter with 6:30 left helped N.C. State avoid its first home shutout since it lost 37-0 to Ma Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:39:11 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/virginia_tops_nc_state_for_first_acc_win/12124285 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/virginia_tops_nc_state_for_first_acc_win/12124285 Virginia tops N.C. State for first ACC win http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/virginia_tops_nc_state_for_first_acc_win/12124285 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Terps running back Wes Brown has been ruled out of Saturday's contest at Virginia due to a shoulder ailment. No worries, though, there are 3 other starters listed at running back for Maryland. Along with Brown, Justus Pickett, Brandon Ross and Albert Reid were listed at running back. Pickett seems the most likely to draw the start, though either Ross or Reid could provide a change-of-pace with Brown absent. Ross, who was named the starter following training camp, seems to be the more likely candidate. After Saturday's win over Wake Forest, head coach Randy Edsall stated Brown and Pickett would be in line for more touches. In addition to Brown, here's a long list of injuries plaguing the Terps: Safety Matt Robinson (groin) is out. Freshman Anthony Nixon will start in his place. Wideout Kerry Boykins (hip, groin) and linebacker L.A. Goree (neck) are both out. PROBABLES include Pickett (illness), LB Kenneth Tate (knee), OL Andrew Zeller (knee), OL Justus Gilbert (knee), ... Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:05:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/terps_rb_wes_brown_ruled_out_vs_virginia/11950357 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/terps_rb_wes_brown_ruled_out_vs_virginia/11950357 Terps RB Wes Brown ruled out vs. Virginia http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/terps_rb_wes_brown_ruled_out_vs_virginia/11950357 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- There is no quarterback controversy at Virginia. None whatsoever. That doesn't mean Michael Rocco has the job secured for the rest of the season, because if the read on Phillip Sims' breathtaking potential is accurate, he will eventually learn the playbook enough to justify a more viable shot, especially if Rocco struggles. Rocco struggled some in Saturday's 17-16 victory over Penn State at Scott Stadium. Enough so that coach Mike London replaced him with Sims with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter. In Rocco's previous possession, he fumbled the snap, giving Penn State the ball at UVa's 29-yard-line, its fourth worst starting position of the day. The other three were also courtesy of turnovers, one of which was an interception thrown by Rocco in the first half. Redshirt juniors can't get away with making such mistakes for long, and that had to go through London's mind when he decided to give Sims a chance. Sims transferred this past offseason from Ala Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:14:31 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/rocco_widens_gap_with_sims_in_virginias_win/11661421 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/rocco_widens_gap_with_sims_in_virginias_win/11661421 Rocco widens gap with Sims in Virginia's win http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/rocco_widens_gap_with_sims_in_virginias_win/11661421 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Virginia football coach Mike London will take points any way his team can get them. But if he can sculpt how the Cavaliers register on the scoreboard next fall, the use of big plays will be a regular part of the routine. It isnt that Virginia struggled getting big plays a season ago. But the third-year coach wants more consistency in that department. Last fall, nine UVa receivers had receptions of at least 23 yards; six had catches that went for at least 35 yards. Even the ground game was explosive at times, as seven backs had runs of 12 or more yards, with Kevin Parks (34) and Perry Jones (47) having the longest runs from scrimmage. Achieving more consistency means getting the tight ends more involved. UVas tight ends combined to catch 20 passes for 152 yards a season ago, and the Wahoos were shut out in the regular season finale at home by Virginia Tech. Becoming more consistent by increasing the number of gains between 15 and 25 yards could make the Cavs a more serious threat to with the Coastal Divis Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:55:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/acc_notebook_virginia_eyeing_big_plays/10584430 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/acc_notebook_virginia_eyeing_big_plays/10584430 ACC Notebook: Virginia eyeing big plays http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/acc_notebook_virginia_eyeing_big_plays/10584430 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Virginia Cavaliers safety, Joseph Williams, has ended his hunger strike after eight days. The Washington Post reports that Williams, a Political and Social Thought major (whatever that is), is part of the Living Wage Campaign, created to bring awareness to the fact that UVA’s service-sector employees only make a measly $7.25 an hour, while six of the top ten employees … Continue reading … Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:34:56 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/virginia_safety_ends_hunger_strike_after_8_days/10189780 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/virginia_safety_ends_hunger_strike_after_8_days/10189780 Virginia player ends hunger strike http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/virginia_safety_ends_hunger_strike_after_8_days/10189780 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/2/02226f11f5b43a58bb38f027f54c7b08af1d7c32/mini/hunger.jpg