UVa. ready to name starter at QB?

Story by Chris Graham
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One Groh says we could know as early as Wednesday who will take the first snap as Virginia’s starting quarterback against Southern Cal on Aug. 30. The Groh who will ultimately make the call isn’t there yet – publicly, anyway.

“We’ll see what the next two days bring. As I’ve said before, I don’t think we’re in any particular rush to do this. The more we see of a quarterback, the more chance we have to let them give us the most clearcut information as to who should take the first snap,” UVa. football coach Al Groh told reporters this morning.

But the offensive coordinator with the same last name, Mike Groh, thinks the starter will be in place by the start of game week preparations for the third-ranked Trojans on Wednesday.

“He’ll certainly be in place by then,” Mike Groh said.

The quarterback competition between sophomore Peter Lalich, junior Marc Verica and fifth-year senior Scott Deke is “winding down” in Mike Groh’s eyes. “They’ve all had good days and bad days, and fortunately for us, more good than bad. They’ve all done very well. I’m pleased with their development, their progress, their command of the offense. We’ve got a scrimmage today, so I’m anxious to see how they’ll do today,” Groh told reporters on a conference call.

Mike Groh has an idea as to who he thinks the starter should be, but he emphasized in response to a reporter’s question that he won’t be the one making that call publicly.

“I can tell you one thing. I won’t be (making that announcement). But I would imagine that if that is the case that Coach would have an announcement for you guys,” Groh said.