U.Va. notes

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: October 11, 2009

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Simpson's injury not viewed as long term

Virginia's 47-7 victory was dampened by an injury to senior running back Mikell Simpson, who was carted off the field with 6:38 remaining in the third quarter.

Simpson's injury probably was not as severe as most that require that level of medical assistance. Word was not immediately available on the injury's extent, but coach Al Groh said that it was "above the shoulders," ruling out a devastating spinal injury.

Simpson previously missed time with a fractured clavicle.

Quarterback Jameel Sewell ran over to Simpson after the play on which he was injured, and spoke with him while trainers attended to him. Sewell left, believing that Simpson was OK, but returned again when the cart came for him. He said Simpson was conscious the whole time -- the running back gave a thumbs-up as he left the field.

"I was just trying to let him know that we've got him, and we'll take care of him," Sewell said. "He'll be back soon -- I don't think it's anything too serious."

Groh indicated likewise, saying that the early diagnosis was that it was unlikely to affect him long-term but emphasized the team would proceed with caution.

Earlier in the season, freshman running back Dominique Wallace was injured for the season. Wallace likely will receive a medical redshirt -- that option would not be available to Simpson.

Do-it-all Hall

Vic Hall never had been a wide receiver before last Saturday's game at North Carolina -- including high school, where he was a running back. But the player referred to as "do-it-all Hall" is a quick study.

He finished as the game's leading receiver, with six catches. He also scored his first touchdown as a receiver -- the third way he's scored a touchdown, including rushing and returning an interception.

Hall was the quarterback to start the season, but injury gave the job to Jameel Sewell, who has run with it. Now Hall is a cornerback and receiver.

"Playing quarterback, you've always got to know what everybody's doing, so I knew the routes," he said. "The challenge was running them right."

Drama before break

Robert Randolph knocked through a field goal with 4 seconds remaining in the half, but it was several minutes before the teams headed to the locker rooms.

First, Randoph did a squib kick that was stopped by Indiana at the 50-yard line, giving the Hoosiers a shot at the end zone and preventing the time from running out.

On the desperation pass to the end zone, Ras-I Dowling intercepted and made a long, winding runback to the 40-yard line, but a passinterference call against Dom Joseph gave the Hoosiers another opportunity.

Instead of taking the field goal, they opted for another chance for the touchdown, which caused Virginia to call time out. After the dust settled, the pass was incomplete and the score remained 30-0 heading into halftime.

Poindexter honored

In a brief pregame ceremony, the No. 3 jersey of Anthony Poindexter was retired. A video was shown of his playing days -- including his famous play against Florida State -- and he was presented with a framed jersey.

Poindexter, the defensive backs coach, then sprinted to the locker room to resume his coaching duties.

He was joined by former teammates and coaches, as well as his wife and young children, Morocca, Anthony Jr., and Chloe, who were wearing No. 3 jerseys.

U.Va. will also retire the jersey of Ray Roberts in a ceremony scheduled for Oct. 24.