UVa. schedule features USC, two I-AAs

 
Staff Report
UVa. sports: www.virginiasports.com

A pair of games against I-AA opponents sandwich a trip to Southern Cal, and then it’s ACC time for Virginia, which released its 2010 football schedule on Thursday.

First-year coach Mike London makes his debut when Virginia kicks off its campaign at home against Richmond on Sept. 4. The game will mark the 30th meeting between the Spiders and Cavaliers in a series that began in 1893. In the last meeting between the teams, the Cavaliers defeated Richmond 16-0 in 2008 at Scott Stadium when London was the Spiders’ head coach.

Richmond finished the 2009 season ranked No. 5 in the final Football Championship Subdivision poll after an 11-2 campaign. 

The Cavaliers will open up the road portion of the schedule with their first-ever game in the state of California at USC on Sept. 11. The contest marks the first time UVa has played a game on the West Coast in exactly 34 years, celebrating the anniversary when the Cavaliers traveled to Seattle to play Washington on Sept. 11, 1976. The contest serves as a return game from the Trojans’ 2008 visit to Scott Stadium and will be the program’s third all-time contest against a Pacific-10 Conference member. The Trojans finished 2009 with a 9-4 record and a final AP ranking of No. 22 after their 24-13 victory over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl.

In the 80th season of games being contested inside Scott Stadium, Virginia will host VMI on Sept. 25, the Cavaliers’ opponent in the historic edifice’s dedication game on Oct. 15, 1931. The game will mark the 82nd meeting between the Keydets and Cavaliers in a series that also began in 1893. The Cavaliers defeated VMI 42-0 in the last meeting in 1991 inside Scott Stadium. The game will mark the second home game where a member of UVa’s coaching staff previously served as head coach of the opposing team. UVa defensive coordinator/associate head coach Jim Reid spent two seasons (2006-07) as the VMI head coach. Like London, Reid also served as the head coach at Richmond.

Virginia opens up ACC play on Oct. 2 when Florida State comes to Scott Stadium. The contest marks the 16th all-time meeting between the Cavaliers and Seminoles and the first since 2006. Led by first-year coach Jimbo Fisher, Florida State is coming off a 7-6 campaign in 2009 and a 33-21 victory over No. 16 West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. The last time the Seminoles came to Charlottesville in 2005, UVa topped No. 4 Florida State 26-21.

Georgia Tech, which completed an 11-3 campaign, captured an ACC title and appeared in the FedEx Orange Bowl in 2009, will host UVa in Atlanta on Oct. 9. Georgia Tech was ranked No. 13 in the final AP standings and ranked second nationally in rushing at 295.4 yards per game.

The Cavaliers return home Oct. 16 for the 115th renewal of the South’s oldest rivalry when North Carolina comes to Charlottesville. The Tar Heels are coming off an 8-5 season in 2009 and a 19-17 setback to No. 17 Pittsburgh in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Virginia takes a break from ACC play when Eastern Michigan, comes to Scott Stadium on Oct. 23. The game will be UVa’s first meeting against the Eagles from the Mid-American Conference.

ACC play continues for Virginia on Oct. 30 when UVa hosts Miami. The Hurricanes completed a 9-4 season in 2009 and notched a No. 14 AP final ranking after falling 20-14 to No. 25 Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Duke, coming off a 5-7 finish in 2009, hosts Virginia on Nov. 6.

The Cavaliers conclude the home portion of their schedule when they host Maryland on Nov. 13. The Terrapins finished 2009 with a 2-10 record.

Virginia travels to Boston College on Nov. 20 for the Cavaliers’ first game in Chestnut Hill since 2005. Boston College is coming off an 8-5 season and an Emerald Bowl appearance against USC.

The Cavaliers wrap up the 2010 regular season in Blacksburg on Nov. 27 when they travel to Virginia Tech in the annual Commonwealth Cup contest. The Hokies went 10-3 in 2009 after defeating Tennessee 37-14 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Virginia Tech finished No. 12 in the AP poll.

UVa does not face ACC opponents Clemson, NC State or Wake Forest in 2010.