INSIDE SLANT

The losses keep mounting for Virginia.

The Cavaliers (3-8, 2-5 ACC) dropped their fifth consecutive game Saturday with a 34-21 conference loss at Clemson.

The Cavaliers’ eight losses are their most since 1986. Meanwhile, Clemson had already clinched the ACC Atlantic Division title because of Boston College’s loss to North Carolina.

Virginia was within 24-21 at halftime against Clemson behind the use of a variety of trick plays.

Senior wide receiver Vic Hall threw a touchdown pass to tight end Joe Torchia. Senior running back Mikell Simpson spent a good deal of time in the Wildcat offensive formation, and senior quarterback Jameel Sewell hauled in a 30-yard pass from Hall.

“Maybe you hadn’t seen them, but we didn’t just create them this week,” Cavaliers coach Al Groh said of the trick plays. “We’ve had them. Sometimes the opportunity doesn’t properly present itself. There were some of those times when it seemed like the opportunity was right for it.”

Very few of those times came in the second half. After racking up 233 yards by halftime, the Cavaliers gained just 40 yards and were held scoreless in the second half.

“You wonder (about the second half), but that’s over with,” Simpson said. “We got one game left as a whole team.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Senior QB Jameel Sewell moved to third all-time on the Cavaliers’ all-time passing yards list. Sewell has thrown for 5,246 yards in his career.

• Senior WR Vic Hall threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to TE Joe Torchia against Clemson. It was the first passing touchdown for Hall this season. Hall has now accounted for a touchdown four ways in his career (passing, rushing, receiving and interception return).

• Al Groh coached his 177th ACC game, which is fourth in conference history. Groh also coached at Wake Forest in his career. His next game, at home against Virginia Tech, likely will be his last as head coach of Virginia.

Game Ball Goes To:   Senior RB Mikell Simpson had been tentative since he was carted off the field with a neck injury in a win over Indiana on Oct. 10, but he bounced back with 127 total yards (84 rushing, 43 receiving) and a touchdown catch against Clemson.

Keep An Eye On:   Sophomore OLB Cam Johnson led the Cavaliers in tackles for the first time this season against Clemson. Johnson registered nine tackles, including one for a loss against the Tigers.

Quote To Note:   “We had nothing to lose, so we just brought it out today. I got excited. When I’m out there at quarterback running Wildcat, I feel like a little kid just back there having fun.”—Senior RB Mikell Simpson, on lining up in the Wildcat formation against Clemson.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   Virginia’s run defense held Clemson senior star RB C.J. Spiller to 58 yards on the ground. Spiller did rush for a short touchdown.

Sophomore OLB Cam Johnson led the Cavaliers with nine tackles, including one for loss.

Sophomore S Rodney McLeod registered seven tackles and was strong in run support.

Senior QB Jameel Sewell threw and ran for a touchdown against Clemson. Sewell also caught a 30-yard pass. He’s climbed to third all-time on the school’s career passing list (5,246 yards).

Still Needs Work:   The offensive line was horrid against Clemson. It allowed senior Sewell to be sacked seven times for a loss of 54 yards.

Senior RB Rashawn Jackson rushed for just 25 yards against Clemson. He also fumbled and was called for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Sophomore LT Landon Bradley has struggled this season. He’s lost some playing time to true freshman Oday Aboushi.

Sophomore CB Chase Minnifield, who is the Cavaliers’ primary kick returner, dropped three kickoff returns against Clemson. Minnifield didn’t lose a fumble, but his miscues cost field position.

Roster Report:  

• Junior WR Raynard Horne, a key special teams player, missed the Clemson game with a back injury.

• Redshirt freshman backup RB Torrey Mack (ankle) missed the Clemson game.

• True freshman WR Tim Smith was forced to sit out the Cavaliers’ loss to Clemson with a back injury.

• The Cavaliers were without backup QB Marc Verica against Clemson. Verica sat out with a head injury.