Virginia wins battle of tough defenses

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Connecticut's offense was the driving force behind the Huskies 5-0 start. Virginia's defense allowed the Cavaliers to open the season 5-1. When they met Saturday at Scott Stadium it stood to reason one side would win out in the battle of strengths.

U.Va.'s Orange Crush defense rose to the challenge in the Cavaliers' 17-16 victory, even though the Virginia offense and special teams didn't always make it easy.  UConn's first 13 points came after Virginia turnovers. When it was all said and done the Huskies managed only one long scoring drive and even that nine-play, 81-yard possession ended in a field goal.

"We have the type of defense that just doesn't crack," U.Va. linebacker Clint Sintim said. "We never gave in. We just came out with a big win just like last week. I can't say enough about how our guys on defense played."

The Huskies sure provided a big challenge for the team. Connecticut came in averaging 33.6 points per game and quarterback Tyler Lorenzen had completed 64 percent of his passes and was averaging 216 yards per game before facing U.Va. Saturday he completed 17 of 33 attempts for 176 yards and was sacked four times.

"Virginia's defense is a great, quality defense," Lorenzen said. "They have a great shot at winning the ACC, which is a great accomplishment in college football. They played tough."

Lorenzen had six touchdown passes in the Huskies' first five games and managed another one Saturday, but that came after a Virginia turnover gave UConn the ball on the Cavs' 6-yard line. The rest of the game Connecticut had to settle for field goals - if it could even get in range.

"We got in the red zone early," Lorenzen said. "And a touchdown would have been great. We couldn't move the ball when we got there. Field goals are great, but touchdowns are better."

Chris Long, who recorded his eighth sack of the season and moved into sixth all-time in Virginia history with 16, said the ability to step it up when put in tough situations is what makes the U.Va. defense one of the best around.

"It is what we want to do," Long said. "Ideally we would like to take the ball away in those situations and give them nothing, but I think the goal line stop was pretty important. It was huge. Whatever the situation we are put in, though, we just try to play."

Saturday they played well, no matter the situation.

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or