Verica, Payne lead Virginia over Richmond
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — It took Keith Payne two years at the University of Virginia to go from freshman phenom to junior washout. It took even less time for teammate Mark Verica to go from from starting quarterback to persona non grata.
But Saturday night at Scott Stadium, with a fresh start under new head coach Mike London, both of the Cavalier seniors were in the roles they dreamed when they first arrived at Charlottesville, leading Virginia to a 34-13 victory over Richmond.
Helping make London’s Virginia debut a success against the team he coached the last two seasons, were Verica, who completed 24 of 35 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown, and Payne (Oakton High), who steamrolled his way to 114 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries.
On perfect day in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was a beautiful start for London at his new address. The Cavaliers out-gained the Spiders, 488-333, as they snapped their six-game losing streak and won their first opener since 2005, both leftovers from the Al Groh Era.
“It was really important to come out and be representative of a team that is trying to improve,” said London. “We’re not world beaters or anything like that. We’re just trying to show that we have improved.”
While Verica directed an efficient offense, riddling the Richmond secondary with deep, intermediate, and short throws, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Payne pounded away off tackle, moving piles of Spiders, who had no answer for his upright running style.
“I’m just excited to be back with the team,” said Payne, who quit the day before the Cavaliers’ 2009 opener. “It’s a big step. So I’m happy about it.”
Payne’s most dominant display came on Virginia’s first possession of the second half as he ripped off consecutive runs of 15, 13, and 15 yards. Later he polished off the 64-yard drive with his second touchdown carry, vaulting defenders at the goal line to give Virginia a 21-13 lead.
“Keith, really, a lot of guys on this team are ready to break out,” said Verica. “There’s no secret what his ability ever was. We always knew he was a really talented, great running back. When you’re 240 or 250, 6-foot-2 running back, and you can move the pile like he was, kind of enforcing his will, it’s special to watch.”
The Virginia defense also had an inspired effort and did it without standout cornerback Ras-I Dowling (hamstring) and safety Rodney McLeod (knee). Sophomore linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (8 tackles, 3 TFL) snuffed out a Richmond drive in the third period when he threw a bear hug on running back Kendall Gaskins (8 carries, 89 yards, touchdown) on a fourth-and-one carry.
Junior cornerback Chase Minnifield stopped a fourth-period drive with an interception and 65-yard return. Junior Cam Johnson (Gonzaga High), playing his first game at defensive end after two seasons at linebacker, and junior linebacker Darnell Carter were disruptors on the right side, each notching a sack and two tackles for losses.
“It feels good because it was such a big goal to win this first game,” said Minnifield. “The seniors have not won a season opener since they have been here.”
Virginia was efficient from the start, as sophomore Perry Jones (9 carries, 73 yards) broke off tackle and into the clear, running 39 yards to ignite a touchdown drive, culminated five plays later by a 2-yard touchdown dive by Payne.
Gaskins answered for Richmond with a 70-yard touchdown run to tie it. But Virginia took the lead for good early in the second period as Verica capped a 69-yard march with a 2-yard touchdown pass to junior Kris Burd (7 catches, 122 yards) to give the Cavaliers the lead for good.
In the second half, Virginia scored the final 20 points, extending the lead and the celebration.
“I graduated from [Richmond],” said London. “I spent a lot of years there as a coach and as a player, but we’re playing for [Virginia] president [Teresa] Sullivan and the Charlottesville community now and that’s what is most important.”
