Cavs need improvement on both lines

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- For the U.Va. football team this week, it's all about pressure.

Specifically, the defensive line will try to create some, while the offensive line will look to protect quarterback Jameel Sewell.

After two games, the Hoos have allowed nine sacks, while they've made just three. Both numbers have been a factor in the team's 0-2 start.

"Some of it was getting beat physically, some of it was mental errors," offensive lineman Isaac Cain said. "We've just got to improve and make sure it doesn't happen again."

On offense, the team has run into a pair of tough matchups. William and Mary defensive end Adrian Tracy is likely NFL-bound, as is TCU end Jerry Hughes. That meant a pair of long games for right tackle Will Barker.

The school that has churned out several NFL players at the position has also had trouble replacing Eugene Monroe, who anchored the line last year.

In addition, right guard B.J. Cabbell has missed time because of an injury, though he has not yet appeared in the team's injury reports. His replacement has been Cain, a junior who has assumed the No. 2 position on the depth chart officially this week at right guard.

Behind him is redshirt freshman Aaron Van Kuiken, who is still developing. True freshman Oday Aboushi is also on the depth chart but won't be rushed in.

"There's no position that's as developmental as offensive lineman," coach Al Groh said.

Those problems show up on the scoresheet as nine allowed sacks, an anomaly for an award-winning group last year.

"It was a tough game for us, because last year we had the fewest in the ACC, and we take pride in that," left guard Austin Pasztor said. "We'll work hard in practice to fix those things."

The unit is also adjusting to a new spread offense, which spaces out the linemen and puts emphasis on individual matchups.

Groh also cited the nature of the position, saying that two mistakes per game doesn't sound like a lot, but it would add up to 24 sacks a year, which would be too many for any team.

"To really have a good night, everybody involved has to allow zero sacks, with maybe a couple guys allowing one," Groh said.

On the defensive line, the job is to put pressure on quarterbacks.

The 3-4 defensive scheme uses three linemen and will occasionally bring forward additional linebackers or safeties to produce extra pressure.

Nate Collins and Matt Conrath are the defensive ends, and while Collins is a senior and Conrath a sophomore, both are inexperienced in playing time at the position.

"There's significant room between where they are and where the ceiling is," Groh said.

But even after two rough games, the units aren't throwing in the towel just yet. This week's game against Southern Miss offers them a chance to get their bearings against a smaller unit.

Golden Eagles coach Larry Fedora expressed concern about the size mismatch.

"Obviously, we're not going to get any bigger this week," he said. "So we'll have to do a great job with the speed and quickness we have."

If the Golden Eagles don't, it could be a breakout week for the Cavaliers in the trenches.

Contact Michael Phillips