November 10, 2009

Coaches will argue how much of an advantage playing at home really gives one team on any given day, but those coaches and players will agree that playing in front of a jam-packed stadium full of fans that are behind their team is a great feeling. For the Cavalier football team, that homefield advantage has become the topic of some discussion ever since the beginning of this season.

Virginia holds a 1-4 record at Scott Stadium so far this season with the only win coming against Indiana on October 10. The Cavaliers fell to William and Mary and TCU on back-to-back weekends at home to open the season. Late October saw Georgia Tech and Duke visit on consecutive Saturdays and hand Virginia two more losses as well. With only two home contests remaining, Virginia is guaranteed a losing record in its own stadium for the first time since 1986.

Attendance has been declining as well. The number of fans in the seats has dropped with each passing home game. The last contest at Scott Stadium against Duke saw just 41,733 people in the stands of a stadium that has a capacity of 61,500.

Al Groh and his team will take the field at home for the sixth time this season on Saturday and hope for an upset win over Boston College. The Eagles second in the Atlantic Division with a 3-2 ACC record.

Click on the above video link to hear senior linebacker and captain Aaron Clark's message to the Cavalier faithful.