Mike London

Mike London's use of Virginia's second-half timeouts was, to say the least, baffling to me. London used all three timeouts, two different times, to ice Cody Journell, and not to extend the game. Kickers really aren't any more or less likely to make or miss a field goal when iced. Also, this season Tech allowed game winning scores against Cincinnati and Florida State with 1:43 and 2:13 remaining on the clock, respectively. Coming into Saturday Journell was 5-5 on kicks of 20-29 yards, and 6-8 on kicks of 40-49 yards. Journell missed a 42-yard attempt, but nailed the 29-yard game winner. The distance coupled with the wind swirling around Lane probably had more to do with Journell's miss than London's mind games.

London tried to rationalize his clock mismanagement to David Teel, instead of owning the mistake.

Getting back to you. 40 sec left thought process.

1. PK missed previous one.

2. Make them run/handle FB.

3. did not want expend the last two TO and concede 3 pts. Even with poss 30/25 secs left.

4. They would be kicking off with the wind. All kickoffs from the opp end to our locker room were ALL touchbacks.

It's hate week, and it's a good one. Virginia beat Florida State in Doak late Saturday night, a venue where they'd previously been 0-8. The Hokies didn't clinch the ACC Coastal, and there'll be a lot of Hoos creeping out of the woodwork. From my observations on Twitter most of you were rooting for Florida State. I was in the minority then. I wasn't actively rooting for Virginia, but I wasn't upset they won. Honestly, I spent most of the game relaxing and cackling on my couch as UVa and FSU each tried to bumble away the game, with FSU ultimately proving to be most futile.

Stereotypically speaking the Hoos and Hokies are polar opposites. Uncultured wild rednecks who take pride in always supporting their football team contrasted against the couth white-collar upper-middle class obsessed with the Director's Cup. We both think we're better than each other, and the hate starts there. However, this week we both have a few things in common. Virginia hasn't won anything, and neither has Virginia Tech, but we both have hope.

Sitting at Virginia's football game-week press conference this afternoon, I was surprised to hear Associated Press reporter Hank Kurz ask defensive end Jake Snyder if he'd heard how U.Va. had recently sent letters to football recruits that basically said by the time they read the letter U.Va. will have already beaten Georgia Tech.

Snyder said he hadn't heard about it. I immediately went to Kurz and inquired about where he'd gotten the info about the alleged letters to recruits. He said U.Va. defensive coordinator Jim Reid told him after the Georgia Tech game the Cavaliers had sent out the letters.

Sounds like a pretty reputable source to me, but I'll try to get further confirmation. Either way, that's the kind of sexy line in a love letter to a recruit that makes a prospect take notice, especially if a program can back it up like U.Va. did with Saturday's 24-21 win against No. 12 Georgia Tech.

via: http://weblogs.dailypress.com/sports/college/accblog/2011/10/virginia_shows_confidence_in_r.html

This isn't the first time Virginia has passed along a letter to a recruit, far from it. In fact, snail-mail communication with prospective players is a practice that began under Al Groh, and is continued by disciple Mike London. A The Key Play.com investigation has obtained copies of correspondence through the years.

DATED: OCTOBER 15, 2002 -- RECIPIENT: XAVIER ADIBI

Xavier,

You're going to have to sell yourself a little bit better son. Are you worth that scholarship? I've seen a lot of other players move better than you and they can make all the open field tackles too. How are you going to separate yourself from the pack for me?

I'm still not convinced,

Virginia Head Coach Al Groh

Mike London provided video of himself dancing to Comcast SportsNet. I bet you know what comes next.

Thank you Coach.

via http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/mike-londons-danc... H/T @nickjeffress