UVA Roll Call

Like many of you, I was with family this weekend. At one point in the second half, I heard my mom say "I've never heard Adam laugh so much during a football game."

But I couldn't help it. It was simply beautiful to watch. Everything about shutting out UVA feels right, doesn't it?

There isn't going to be much discussion about the second team guys, because it wouldn't be a good read. But there's plenty about the guys who played the majority of the game.

1. Antone Exum - It was another hit-or-miss game for Exum. He made a lot of plays, and was all over the field, but I saw him beat at least 2-3 times on big UVA gains. Overall, way more good than bad.

2. Josh Oglesby - I thought UVA really committed to stopping the run and it led to a lot of short carries. And because Josh had six carries, I think it was about impossible for him to get going.

3. Logan Thomas - He looked great from the very first offensive snap. You can tell, like Bryan Randall, like Tyrod Taylor, he loves winning. He plays with a fire in his belly. The block on David's should-have-been-a touchdown was flat out awesome.

4. David Wilson - As I said about Oglesby, I thought there often wasn't a lot of space to run the football, but he kept chipping away and snapped off five runs of more than 15 yards, and they all seemed to come at very opportune times. It's a real treat to watch him run the ball.

6. Mark Leal - It was nice to see the backup QB come in and make some impressive throws. Think back to F$U when Cory Holt was slinging the rock: More than likely, the coaches will call on 6 in a big moment, like they did to 3 last year, and hopefully he'll be ready to deliver. He's an important guy on the roster.

7. Marcus Davis - All-conference corner mugging him on the first offensive play? No sweat. Not to mention, he was mugged on his second catch, but no flag. This is what we all knew he could do. The sky is the limit for Marcus, but considering his vertical, I'm not sure that can contain him.

8. Dietrick Bonner - Nice concentration to haul in his first INT in a big moment. He was lucky to get it, but better to be lucky than good. Although, I thought he played good, too.

9. Cris Hill - I thought it was an OK day for Cris. He was beat on a big third down early in the game, but overall did fine.

15. Eddie Whitley - It was a quiet day for Eddie, but he did make one tackle on the punt play where Perry Jones was flagged for waving his arms. I do think it was a bad call, but the best part was watching London and Poindexter lose their minds over it. It was a 5-yard penalty, hoss. Way bigger problems at that point in the game.

17. Kyle Fuller - What a clutch strip of Rocco near the end of the half. He and Mr. Hopkins are all conference, right?

18. D.J. Coles - He only had one snag this week, but he almost ended Greer's life on a Logan scramble on a beautiful block. This kid is the real deal.

19. Danny Coale - I'm very serious about this: I think the block in the back penalty was awful. Danny engaged when Minnifield began to turn to make a play on Wilson. But what's done is done. Otherwise, are we really surprised the best punting performance of the season came on Danny's foot? I'm not.

20. Jayron Hosely - He opened the game with two nice tackles and I thought he played his best game in a while. He was busy, but played a good game.

24. Tariq Edwards - Considering the UVA running backs were bottled up all day, I thought it was a quiet evening for Tariq. I'm not sure I agree with the penalty, but he immediately wipes that out with a heads up fumble recovery on the next play. He played decently against Clemson the first time around, so I'm hoping he's lights out this time.

25. Martin Scales - I know you're trying to be aggressive, but be smart.

33. Chris Drager - He's hauling in quick slants like a veteran Jarret Boykin now? Mr. Versatility got a little more versatile.

42. J.R. Collins - The interception was beautiful. I wanted him to reach pay dirt so bad. But, almost as nice as the pick was his fumble recovery celebration that sparked him getting shoved down and a 15-yard flag. Not a bad day at the office.

45. Joey Phillips - Being that he's a Blacksburg High product, I'm sure he hates UVA as much as anyone in that locker room. I hope he enjoyed lighting them up on his first trip to Scott.

48. Justin Myer - At least this week's try looked like a field goal attempt.

54. Nick Becton - I've been hard on my boy all year, but I think he's turning into a pretty good OT.

58. Jack Tyler - Huge fourth down tackle on Parks. Huge fumble recovery. (I realized, a day later, that I didn't finish my write-up on Jack, so let me say I thought he turned in an OUTSTANDING performance. What a steal on this guy)

62. Blake DeChristopher - He didn't win the ACC's best blocker award for nothing. What a beast.

66. Tyrel Wilson - Didn't get as many snaps, but I did see him plant a kick returner into the ground like it was a Goldberg spear.

67. Michael Via - Getting shoved down on a false start has to be the only time in life getting shoved down by a 300-pounder feels good, right?

68. Jaymes Brooks - You could tell Jaymes didn't get enough food on Thursday based on his pull on DW4's first carry.

72. Andrew Lanier - Another solid outing.

74. Andrew Miller - What a warrior.

75. Greg Nosal - Overall, a bit up and down, but he had some sweet pulls.

81. Jarrett Boykin - 3rd and 8 in the red zone

86. Eric Martin - He blocked a lot.

89. Cody Journell - He drilled his one attempt. He's been great.

92. Luther Maddy - How good has Atlantic High been to Virginia Tech? Maddy, Leal, Hosley, Flowers, Clowney. Something tells me Maddy's old pal, Dadi Nicolas is going to be a player, as well.

96. Corey Marshall - I noticed Corey in there for a little while, but he didn't make a huge impact. I'm wondering how he would fare at DE. Perhaps he's available to play at both, ala John Graves, Jim Davis, JR Collins...just a thought.

98. Derrick Hopkins - He did a beautiful job shedding the block on that third down draw in the red zone. Again, I'm calling for a place on the All-ACC team.

99. James Gayle - He had one of the toughest matchups UVA has to offer and he finished with three tackles behind the line and you could tell Rocco knew where he was on every snap in the second half. Awesome.