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July 27, 2016

Preseason All-ACC / The Paul Test



CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia free safety Quin Blanding was named to the preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference team, announced the league on Wednesday. The team was selected by a vote of credentialed media members at last week’s ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte.
Blanding has previously been named this summer to the 2016 Bednarik, Nagurski, Jim Thorpe and Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. This is the second year in a row that Blanding has been named to the preseason All-ACC team.
Blanding (Jr., Virginia Beach, Va.), a second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC honoree last year, returns for his junior season in 2016. Blanding started all 12 games and finished the year No. 2 in the ACC with 9.58 tackles per game.

2016 All-ACC Preseason Football Team

Offense
WR – Artavis Scott, Jr., Clemson
WR – Isaiah Ford, Jr., Virginia Tech
WR – Travis Rudolph, Jr. Florida State
TE – Jordan Leggett, Sr., Clemson
OT – Roderick Johnson, Jr., Florida State
OT – Mitch Hyatt, So., Clemson
OG – Dorian Johnson, Sr., Pitt
OG – Tyrone Crowder, Jr., Clemson
C – Jay Guillermo, r-Sr., Clemson
QB – Deshaun Watson, Jr., Clemson
RB – Dalvin Cook, Jr., Florida State
RB – Elijah Hood, Jr., North Carolina

Defense
DE – DeMarcus Walker, Sr., Florida State
DE – Ejuan Price, r-Sr., Pitt
DT – Carlos Watkins, r-Sr., Clemson
DT – DeAngelo Brown, Sr., Louisville
LB – Ben Boulware, Sr., Clemson
LB – Keith Kelsey, Sr., Louisville
LB – Devonte Fields, Sr., Louisville
CB – Cordrea Tankersley, Sr., Clemson
CB – Des Lawrence, Sr., North Carolina
S – Derwin James, So., Florida State
S – Quin Blanding, Jr., Virginia

Special Teams
PK – Greg Huegel, r-So., Clemson
P – Justin Vogel, Sr., Miami
SP – Ryan Switzer, So., North Carolina
2016 All-ACC Preseason Team Voting

Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, Clemson 188; Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina 1; Brad Kaaya, Miami 1; Lamar Jackson, Louisville 1.

Running Back
Dalvin Cook, Florida State 184; Elijah Hood, North Carolina 97; Wayne Gallman, Clemson 70; Matthew Dayes, NC State 8; Taquan Mizzell, Virginia 7; Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech 4; Qadree Ollison, Pitt 3; Joe Yearby, Miami 3; Jon Hilliman, Boston College 3; Mark Walton, Miami 1; Marcus Marshall, Georgia Tech 1; Brandon Ratcliff, Louisville 1.

Wide Receiver
Artavis Scott, Clemson 112; Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech 112; Travis Rudolph, Florida State 94; Mike Williams, Clemson 80; Ryan Switzer, North Carolina 42; Mack Hollins, North Carolina 27; James Quick, Louisville 23; Stacy Coley, Miami 23; Kermit Whitefield, Florida State 15; Jamari Staples, Louisville 13; Bug Howard, North Carolina 11; Jesus Wilson, Florida State 6; Bra’Lon Cherry, NC State 5; Tabari Hines, Wake Forest 3; Anthony Nash, Duke 2; Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech 2; Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia 1; Steve Ishmael, Syracuse 1; T.J. Rahming, Duke 1.

Tight End
Jordan Leggett, Clemson 89; Jaylen Samuels, NC State 41; Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech 34; Cam Serigne, Wake Forest 7; Ryan Izzo, Florida State 6; David Njoku, Miami 4; Cole Hikutini, Louisville 4; Brandon Fritts, North Carolina 3; Daniel Helm, Duke 2; Scott Orndoff, Pitt 1.

Offensive Tackle
Roderick Johnson, Florida State 153; Mitch Hyatt, Clemson 82; Adam Bisnowaty, Pitt 70; Jon Heck, North Carolina 39; Trevor Darling, Miami 13; Casey Blaser, Duke 8; Eric Smith, Virginia 5; Jonathan McLaughlin, Virginia Tech 4; Geron Christian, Louisville 3; Yosuah Nijman, Virginia Tech 2; Bentley Spain, North Carolina 1; Gabe Brandner, Duke 1; Justin Herron, Wake Forest 1.

Offensive Guard
Dorian Johnson, Pitt 107; Tyrone Crowder, Clemson 82; Caleb Peterson, North Carolina 77; Kareem Are, Florida State 32; Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech 13; Danny Isidora, Miami 13; Tony Adams, NC State 12; Wilson Bell, Florida State 12; Tanner Stone, Duke 11; KC McDermott, Miami 11; Augie Conte, Virginia Tech 8; Omari Palmer, Syracuse 4.

Center
Jay Guillermo, Clemson 124; Lucas Crowley, North Carolina 13; Jackson Matteo, Virginia 11; Freddie Burden, Georgia Tech 10; Nick Linder, Miami 8; Alec Eberle, Florida State 8; Alex Officer, Pitt 5; Joe Sceflo, NC State 4; Jason Emerich, Syracuse 3; Jon Baker, Boston College 3; Eric Gallo, Virginia Tech 2.

Defensive End
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State 142; Ejuan Price, Pitt 102; Josh Sweat, Florida State 33; Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech 23; Al-Quadin Muhammad, Miami 16; Harold Landry, Boston College 15; Bradley Chubb, NC State 12; KeShun Freeman, Georgia Tech 10; Mikey Bart, North Carolina 8; Kevin Kavalec, Boston College 6; Andrew Brown, Virginia 5; Dajaun Drennon, North Carolina 5; Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest 5.

Defensive Tackle
Carlos Watkins, Clemson 132; DeAngelo Brown, Louisville 56; Derrick Nnadi, Florida State 48; Christian Wilkins, Clemson 41; Nazair Jones, North Carolina 31; Patrick Gamble, Georgia Tech 21; Demarcus Christmas, Florida State 15; Josh Banks, Wake Forest 8; Woody Baron, Virginia Tech 7; B.J. Hill, NC State 5; Mike Ramsay, Duke 5; Truman Gutapfel, Boston College 5; A.J. Wolf, Duke 4; Donte Wilkins, Virginia 4.

Linebacker
Ben Boulware, Clemson 149; Keith Kelsey, Louisville 99; Devonte Fields, Louisville 96; Micah Kiser, Virginia 84; Matt Milano, Boston College 49; Ro’Derrick Hoskins, Florida State 20; Zaire Franklin, Syracuse 13; Marquel Lee, Wake Forest 11; Connor Strachan, Boston College 9; P.J. Davis, Georgia Tech 9; Jermaine Grace, Miami 8; Matt Galambos, Pitt 7; Ben Humphreys, Duke 7; Mike Caprara, Pitt 5; Andrew Motuapuaka, Virginia Tech 3; Airius Moore, NC State 3; Brant Mitchell, Georgia Tech 1.

Cornerback
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson 115; Des Lawrence, North Carolina 62; Marquez White, Florida State 54; DeVon Edwards, Duke 43; M.J. Stewart, North Carolina 33; Shaq Wiggins, Louisville 20; Corn Elder, Miami 19; Brad Watson, Wake Forest 10; Tim Harris, Virginia 7; Breon Borders, Duke 6; Jack Tocho, NC State 5; Avonte Maddox, Pitt 4; Sheldrick Redwine, Miami 4.

Safety
Derwin James, Florida State 112; Quin Blanding, Virginia 107; Jordan Whitehead, Pitt 51; Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville 37; Rayshawn Jenkins, Miami 18; Chuck Clark, Virginia Tech 11; Donnie Miles, North Carolina 10; John Johnson, Boston College 9; Trey Marshall, Florida State 8; Josh Jones, NC State 6; Ryan Janvion, Wake Forest 5; Deondre Singleton, Duke 4; A.J. Gray, Georgia Tech 2; Antwan Cody, Syracuse 2.

Placekicker
Greg Huegel, Clemson 63; Michael Badgley, Miami 41; Nick Weiler, North Carolina 39; Harrison Butker, Georgia Tech 16; Chris Blewitt, Pitt 12; Joey Slye, Virginia Tech 11; Mike Weaver, Wake Forest 7; Cole Murphy, Syracuse 2.

Punter
Justin Vogel, Miami 100; Nicholas Conte, Virginia 60; A.J. Cole III, NC State 20; Ryan Winslow, Pitt 11.

Specialist
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina 112; DeVon Edwards, Duke 40; Kermit Whitfield, Florida State 16; Corn Elder, Miami 8; Brisly Estime, Syracuse 6; T.J. Logan, North Carolina 4; Nyheim Hines, NC State 3; Michael Walker, Boston College 1; Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia 1.






ARV...

Taquan Mizzell, Virginia 7 (5th RB)

Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia 1 (17th WR)

Eric Smith, Virginia 5 (7th OT)

Jackson Matteo, Virginia 11 (3rd C)

Andrew Brown, Virginia 5 (11th DE)

Donte Wilkins, Virginia 4 (14th DT)

Micah Kiser, Virginia 84 (4th LB)

Tim Harris, Virginia 7 (9th CB)

Nicholas Conte, Virginia 60 (2nd P)



I can almost guarantee that Oz, Wilkins, and Kiser are being underrated by the shit-sucking ACC media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, the one most important question that my friend Paul always asks is... 
Who are the future NFL players on our football team?


My take...

2017 NFL DRAFT

S Quin Blanding -- I think he'll make the early jump and land in the 3rd/4th round.
NT Donte Wilkins -- Big Donte will owe Bronco and Co. a big slice of his future pro paycheck, as they saved his career. I bet he's awesome for us in 2016, and earns a middle-round selection in the draft.
OT Eric Smith -- I'm bullish on this guy's talent. Might be a late rounder or an undrafted free agent, but at 6-5, 300, he'll get a shot.
RB Taquan Mizzell -- Not really fast enough to do the job he'll need to do in the NFL, but he's surely a priority undrafted free agent.
C Jackson Matteo -- He'll get a shot in some team's training camp, no doubt.  And like we've seen at Virginia, a shot is all this former walk-on really needs...
P Nicholas Conte -- I'm listing him here because his numbers are good enough to merit a training camp invitation.

2018 NFL DRAFT
LB Micah Kiser -- He's shorter than you want, but now that he's gaining real-life experience playing behind an odd front, his value to NFL teams is rising. I'm guessing 3rd/4th round.
DE Andrew Brown -- Like with Wilkins, I think Bronco is saving his career. 5th round pick with intriguing upside.
WR Doni Dowling -- Just a hunch, but I'm thinking NFL teams will like him a lot as a potential slot specialist. Late round pick or priority undrafted free agent.
WR Andre Levrone -- Size and hands will always earn a receiver a shot in training camp.
OT Jack English -- I think he's got enough to pull a training camp invite after starting for a year or two under 2J.


2019 NFL DRAFT
OLB Chris Peace -- Someone is going to emerge as a potent pass rusher, and my guess is Peace. I like his measurables; they translate well to the next level.
CB Juan Thornhill -- I think Howell has a good one brewing, banking on at least a middle-round pick in a few years.
CB Darious Latimore -- The Thornhill/Latimore duo could be a big deal for us in 2017-18.
RB/WR Olamide Zaccheaus -- He's small, but dynamic. I doubt he gets drafted, but he'll be a camp body for some lucky NFL team.


2020 NFL DRAFT
DE Eli Hanback -- Emerges as a middle-rounder after FOUR seasons in the UVA starting lineup.
LB Jahvoni Simmons -- I like the idea of him taking over and emerging once Kiser's eligibility is exhausted.
C R.J. Proctor -- Just seems like one of those guys who'll develop. I like his chances of taking the job after Matteo's graduation and running with it. Mid-to-late rounder in 2020.
WR Warren Craft -- He'll get plenty of playing time in 2016-19, could be our go-to wideout in '18 and '19, and his career numbers will earn him a shot as an undrafted free agent.

Baseball 2017 Quickstab

Sorry, guys.

I'll try to post more, promise.


We're almost upon football training camp, and I'm planning to do a position-by-position preview. But for the time being, some baseball!

My updated guess at next season

C) Caleb Knight / Cameron Comer
1B) Pavin Smith, the Ginger Avenger
2B) Jack Gerstenmaier
SS) Ernie Clement
3B) Justin Novak / Charlie Cody / Andy Weber
LF) Cameron Simmons / Doak Dozier / Charlie Cody
CF) Adam Haseley / Doak Dozier
RF) Jake McCarthy / Doak Dozier / Charlie Cody
DH) Robbie Coman / Charlie Cody / Justin Novak / Nate Eikhoff

Fri) Derek Casey or Daniel Lynch
Sat) Alec Bettinger or Daniel Lynch
Sun) Adam Haseley
Closer) Tommy Doyle
Bullpen/Rotation) Tyler Shambora, Bennett Sousa, Evan Sperling, Connor Eason, Noah Murdock, Jackson Tedder

Order?
1 - Clement
2 - Novak
3 - Simmons
4 - Smith
5 - McCarthy
6 - Haseley
7 - Cody
8 - Gerstenmaier
9 - Knight

Something to that effect?

Y'know, I'm starting to feel pretty good about all of this. Figuring out who starts on Friday and Saturday is the key to everything, and we have the arms -- just gotta find the right roles.


June 26, 2016

My Opinion

 I've been thinking a lot about what this year could shape up to be and here is just a few things I've come up with.



      Looking at our schedule, if we play up to the standards we could have a 8 and 4 season.  We could finally shut them damn emasculate turkeys up for a season. we would also keep Bronco's bowl streak running.  Playing in Eugene will be a big game to determine how this team will pan out.  Do I think we can win that game?  Surprisingly yes but it will have to be a knock down drag out fight to the end but then again i see it looking bad for the Hoos.  I'm going to give you a little idea as to why we could have a winning season (Finally).

1)  Speed.  The guys have been forced to go faster not just body wise but also no huddle wise.

2)  Kurt Benkert.  This guy comes in and gives Johns a run for the starting job and gets it.  If he doesn't get hurt he could go 2500 to even 3000 yards.  (He would be the first QB in school history to get 3000 in a season.)

3)  Smoke.  This will be his break out year.  He will be a huge factor in the passing game and the o line will be able to allow him to get possibly over 1000 yards rushing.   Expect to see him in the back field and also in the slot.


4) Olamide Zaccheaus.  This kid has me excited what the future will hold.  Expect him to be a major contributor.  Heck i think we will even see him line up in the back field along side of smoke.


5) Quin Blanding.  Quin has been real fun to watch.  Expect him to have yet another 100 tackles and with his ball hawk ability, I see a few good interceptions.  Kelvin Rainey and Darious Latimore will help make the Cavaliers secondary a dangerous unit.



6)  Micah Kiser.  This kid should have an excellent year.  Like Blanding i see him having another year of having over 100 tackles.  I expect him to be in the back field making big plays with sacks and or tackles for losses.  The first thing that comes to mind about Micah is Micnasty.


7) Andrew Brown.  He will live up to his 5 star rating.  He will also be in the backfield on a regular bases.  He is finally healthy and this will show on the field.  Donte Wilkins will also be a big stop guy.  Look for these two guys to have an excellent year and finally help bring our defense to a great position.  


  I know i have left some great players off but these few guys i believe will have an excellent season.  I am excited to see the start of a new season with an all new coaching staff.  It will not look like the normal UVA football that we have all cussed and thrown shit and just hatted our lives.   The canes can have Richt and the chokies can have Fuente because the Hoos got a grand slam with Bronco.  Is it kickoff time yet?



June 9, 2016

MLB Draft -- Tonight!

Tonight at 7:00 pm on the MLB Network, Big League teams will draft 77 players: the 1st round (23 picks), comp picks (24-34), Lottery Round A (35-41), 2nd round (42-70) and Lottery Round B (71-77). The 3rd thru 10th round is Friday. Rounds 11 thru 40 are Saturday.


For Virginia Baseball purposes, we're really monitoring seven players, as follows...





C Matt Thaiss
Seems to be a lock for Thursday, with a signing bonus way too handsome to turn down.  Consider our junior catcher and resident big stick to be as good as gone. (It's around a $1.2 million signing bonus for 1st/2nd round juniors and HS seniors, far better than the $5,000 bonus that leverage-void college seniors get to enjoy.)




RHP Connor Jones
Two months ago, he was a top-15 pick.  His stock has slid since then, but I still think he's a Thursday lock, and gone.


SS/3B Nolan Jones
Jones is a HS senior committed to the Hoos, but he's risen up draft boards to around the late 1st / comp / lottery A realm.  I personally think it'd be a miracle if he ever makes it to UVA.




LHP Joey Wentz
Another HS senior, this flamethrower peaked as a top-15 kind of guy, but has slid down the board due to a springtime decline in velocity and some reported "signability" issues (as in, he wants a bigger signing bonus that the potential draft slot suggests).  I'd say there's about a 20% chance he ends up in Charlottesville... but I'll take that chance!  Wentz has the potential to be the best pitcher in the history of the program.  Yeah, I'm putting Seth Greisinger and Danny Hultzen on notice!


Wentz was 9-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 104 strikeouts with 12 walks and seven hits allowed this spring. He did not allow a hit in his first four starts. He hit .392 with 22 RBI and 25 runs in 75 at-bats. A Virginia commit, the 6-5 Wentz routinely has hit 90-95 this spring – an increase of about 5 mph from last spring – and become more consistent and crisper with his pitches.

Fastball: Wentz’ fastball sat 91-92 mph (touching 93) when I saw him and has reportedly been up to 96 this spring. Coming from a downhill plane with arm side run, this has the makings of an above average pitch, and should be a solid foundation from which to build the remainder of his repertoire.

Curveball: At 75-76 mph with good depth, Wentz can spin a curveball. Featuring a 1-7 break, this is Wentz’ most advanced secondary offering.

Changeup: At 79-82 mph, the changeup is more of a work in progress. Wentz will need to refine the consistency of his of this pitch to neutralize right-handed hitters. When right, it shows fade, and I can see this developing into a potentially average pitch.

DELIVERY: A good athlete, Wentz displays balance and control in his delivery that is unmatched from even the college pitchers I’ve seen this spring who are 6’5″ and taller. Leveraging his height with a high 3/4 release point, Wentz has clean arm action and repeatability in the delivery.

FUTURE: Wentz has been climbing up draft lists this spring, and having gotten one of the first looks at him of the year, I’m not surprised. There’s some projection left in his frame and MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis recently stated on a podcast that Wentz has a chance to go in top 10-15 overall picks. I view his ceiling every bit as high as Florida’s A.J. Puk, though he’s a higher risk to reach that potential. That’s no knock on Wentz but rather a testament to what three years of elite college experience can do for your development.






SS Daniel Pinero
Danny went in the 25th round as a draft-eligible sophomore, and decided to return to Virginia.  This draft will be his last chance to cash in on the underclassmen leverage... but he won't be drafted tonight and he's no lock to be drafted tomorrow.  If he slips past the 10th round, might he be tempted to return to the Hoos for one last chance to improve his draft stock and base salary slotting?  I'm guessing no... but stranger things have happened.




RHP Noah Murdock
This 6'7 beanpole has a world of talent, and has stated his strong desire to pitch in college.  Still, he's rated as a borderline top-150 prospect, and will be drafted tomorrow.  As a Hoofan, pull for him to go closer to the 10th round than the 3rd.  We need this kid in orange and blue for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons.

Colonial Heights pitcher Noah Murdock keeps getting better

At 6-foot-7, Colonial Heights pitcher Noah Murdock makes the most of his abilities

Colonial Heights' Noah Murdock Shines On The Diamond




RHP Alec Bettinger
Betty had an up-and-down season and has had an up-and-down career as a Hoo, but he's draft eligible and has been seen by scouts.  He might (probably?) hear his name called at some point on Saturday.  I think there's about a 90-95% chance he's back with the Hoos in 2017, but you never know.




I'll have a 2017 roster projection soon... maybe...  probably?




June 1, 2016

2016 Charlottesville Regional



CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia baseball team opens the 2016 NCAA Baseball Championship at 1 p.m. Friday when it plays William & Mary in the NCAA Charlottesville Regional at Davenport Field. Virginia (37-20) serves as the top seed in the regional and is hosting a regional for the ninth time in the last 13 seasons.
Following the UVA-William & Mary game Friday, Bryant and East Carolina play at 6 p.m. 
The losing teams from Friday will play in an elimination game at 1 p.m. Saturday, while the winners will battle at 6 p.m. Saturday. The second elimination game will be contested at 1 p.m. Sunday, with the championship game slated for 6 p.m. Sunday. If necessary, a second championship game will be played at 6 p.m. Monday.
All games in the regional will be broadcast online on ESPN3. 
The winner of the Charlottesville Regional will advance to play the champion of the Lubbock Regional in an NCAA Super Regional June 10-13. The Lubbock Regional consists of host Texas Tech, Dallas Baptist, New Mexico and Fairfield. 
2016 NCAA Charlottesville Regional Schedule (all games broadcast on ESPN3)
Friday, June 3 
Game 1 – No. 1 Virginia vs. No. 4 William & Mary, 1 p.m. 
Game 2 – No. 2 Bryant vs. No. 3 East Carolina, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 4
Game 3 – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1 p.m.
Game 4 – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 5
Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 1 p.m.
Game 6 – Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4, 6 p.m.
Monday, June 6
Game 7 – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary), 6 p.m.
Team Information
Virginia will serve as a regional host site for the ninth time in program history – all within the last 13 years (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010-2014, 2016). UVA is making its 13th-consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament under head coach Brian O’Connor and its 16th all-time. The 2015 National Champions, Virginia is one of five schools to compete in each of the last 13 tournaments. After starting 20-14 this season, the Cavaliers went 17-6 down the stretch and won each of their final five ACC series.
No. 2 seed Bryant (47-10, 26-4 NEC) rolled to the Northeast Conference championship to earn an automatic berth in the tournament as the Bulldogs became the first NEC team to claim a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Ranked 20th nationally by Baseball America, Bryant will be making its third NCAA appearance in the last four years after serving as a No. 3 seed in 2013 (Manhattan, Kan.) and 2014 (Baton Rouge, La.). Bryant enters the NCAA Tournament with the most wins in Division I and the best run differential in the country (+4.7). The Bulldogs feature one of the nation’s potent offenses with a .324 team batting average as five starters are batting over .300 and eight regulars are hitting at least .284. UVA and Bryant have not previously met.
No. 3 seed East Carolina (34-21-1, 15-8-1 AAC) is an at-large entry in the tournament after a second-place regular-season finish in the American Athletic Conference. The Pirates and Cavaliers are familiar with one another, as ECU won two of three games in a regular-season series at Davenport Field in February. ECU is making its 28th appearance in the NCAA tournament and also appeared in the 2011 Charlottesville Regional. The Pirates’ pitching staff has been solid with a 3.99 team ERA as all three of its weekend starters own an ERA under 3.00. Freshman Dwanya Williams-Sutton leads the team in batting at .368 while ECU is hitting .287 as a team. UVA holds a 32-20 edge in the all-time series.
No. 4 seed William & Mary (29-29, 14-9 CAA) earned an automatic berth into the tournament after rallying to win the Colonial Athletic Association championship. It marks the Tribe’s fourth trip to the NCAA tournament. After losing its first game in the CAA tournament, W&M bounced back to win four straight games, including rallying from an 8-1 ninth-inning deficit against top-seeded UNC Wilmington to win in 12 innings and force a second championship game against UNCW, which the Tribe won, 14-9. UVA and W&M played on March 1 in Charlottesville, with the Cavaliers prevailing, 16-8. Charley Gould leads the team in batting at .335, while Cullen Large is hitting .328. UVA leads the all-time series with W&M, 74-29-2.