Covington bounces back

The scar runs down the middle of Maurice Covington's left hand, reminding him of when things weren't so good, just a few weeks ago.

This was supposed to be Covington's year. He was supposed to be the go-to guy for U.Va.'s depleted receiving group.
Then disaster struck against North Carolina.

"It happened on one of the catches I had - I turned upfield and my hand just got bent the wrong way when I got hit," Covington said.

He'd broken the third metacarpal in his hand. Suddenly, the season that held so much promise was in danger.

But a plate, seven screws and a nasty scar later, Covington is back on the field for the Cavaliers, and finally showing the talent everyone had expected since he arrived on campus.

In Saturday's 17-16 win over Wake Forest, Covington made two big plays to help propel the Wahoos to yet another narrow win. He caught a 39-yard touchdown from Jameel Sewell late in the first half - his first career touchdown catch. Then, on the game-winning drive, he ran a hitch pattern on fourth-and-two from the 24-yard line, picking up 10 yards and a fresh set of downs. Three plays later, Mikell Simpson scored the winning touchdown.

"We certainly got the kind of performance we needed," coach Al Groh said. "Anything less than that from Maurice and it would have come up different. I'm impressed with what he did." 

The U.Va. offense needs a weapon like Covington. The Cavaliers lack a dominant wide receiver, instead relying on running backs and tight ends in the passing game.

At 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, Covington has the size and speed to challenge opposing defenses. And when he's on the field, Sewell is looking for him. Despite missing five games with his hand injury, Covington leads all Wahoo wide receivers with 16 catches for 186 yards.

"He's a big-time weapon," Sewell said. "He's got experience — he's been playing since his true freshman year. He's just ready to explode."

Covington wasn't the hottest recruit when he came to Charlottesville out of Southern Durham High School in North Carolina. Scout.com rated him the 89th best receiver in the class of 2005.

Still, his size and speed made him an attractive option for the Cavaliers. He played in five games as a true freshman, including a start against Temple. Last year, he played in 12 games as a reserve wide receiver.

His role was expected to grow this season. The team's leading receiver from 2006, junior Kevin Ogletree, injured his knee during spring practice and hasn't played.

As limited as his experience was in his first two seasons, Covington had spent more time on the field than any other returner. He seemed the logical fill-in for Ogletree. Then he got hurt.

"It's definitely been frustrating," Covington said. "I've managed to keep my head and encourage the guys that are out there."
Covington was patient and successfully made his return against N.C. State. Then, his breakout game came against Wake Forest.

And he wasn't surprised.

"I've been anticipating a game like this all year," he said. "Hopefully, I'll have some more. I think I have the ability, but we'll see what happens."

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or .