Published October 14, 2004 in issue 0341 of the Hook

BY KELLY WATT

Best primetime performance: In its 2004 TV debut, the ninth-ranked UVA football team meets the visiting Clemson Tigers, who built a 10-3 lead in the second quarter. "When you drive it down the field like we did [early in the game], you expect to do it again," Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst tells the AP, but adds ruefully, "We didn't." Behind an electrified home crowd, the resilient Wahoos respond to score 27 unanswered points en route to a 30-10 triumph, extending their perfect record to 5-0 (2-0 in ACC play) and rising to sixth nationally. It also sets up one of the most anticipated showdowns of the college football season-- when two top-10 teams face off Saturday, October 16.

Worst disaster in the making: It may finally be time for the Redskins faithful to push the panic button. After taking a 10-0 lead into the halftime locker room Sunday night, October 10, the Skins come back for the second half almost comatose. Their Beltway rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, rally to hand the Skins a fourth consecutive loss,17-10. Now five games into the season, Coach Joe Gibbs is still unable to find any significant form of offensive production. "It's a miserable situation," Gibbs moans to Redskins.com.

Strongest high school machine: Thomas Jefferson is no doubt smiling on his two local gridiron squads. In the wake of UVA's convincing Clemson spanking, the Mustangs of Monticello High kick off their Homecoming festivities by pounding the Fluvanna Flucos 35-0 Friday, October 8. "We're executing well and taking the game plan and running with it," MHS coach Brud Bicknell tells the Daily Progress. Last season's AA state runners-up have now won 15 of 17 games dating back to 2002, and are off to the best start (5-0) in school history.

Worst demons: Our Southern major league baseball friends succumb to history once again. For a third consecutive year, the Atlanta Braves lost Game 5 of the division series at home. This one came Monday, October 11, in a 12-3 rout! Oh, well, the Braves can continue to look back at their one World Series ring from 1995. And the winning Houston Astros can wash their hands of being known as the franchise which had lost all seven of its previous playoff series.

Best double-header: A full autumn evening of soccer at Klöckner Stadium translates into two Cavalier victories Saturday, October 9. The No. 3 Lady Wahoos overcome their first setback of the season after a perfect 9-0 start gave way to a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at Wake Forest and a frustrating scoreless draw against Maryland. The Cavs return to glory, downing ACC rivals, the Duke Blue Devils, 2-1 in the opener. The number 17 men, meanwhile, look sharp in the nightcap as they control play and cruise to a 4-1 win over Davidson to improve to 9-2 on the season.

Week Ahead:

FOOTBALL

Friday, October 15 @ 7:30pm

Orange County vs. Louisa County

The race for the Jefferson District title heats up as the top ranked 6-0 (2-0 in district play) Hornets of Orange travel to Louisa to take on the hungry Lions. (4-1, 2-0 in District play) Tickets: $5.

Saturday, October 16 @ 7:30pm

No. 6 UVA vs. No. 7 Florida State

The Cavs return to the ESPN big screen hoping to dethrone a program with an 48-1 record at home against conference opponents in the past decade. Expect euphoria to sweep Hookville if the Hoos pull off an upset for the ages in Tallahassee. Tickets: Almost impossible... stay home, stay happy, and watch the excitement with your buddies.

SOCCER

Wednesday, October 20

UVA Women vs. Virginia Tech @ 5pm

UVA Men vs. Longwood @ 7:30pm

Local in-state rivals invade Klöckner for the popular coed double header. Adults $6, Youth $4

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