William & Mary @ Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2011 ) William & Mary 3, Virginia 40

Virginia may have played the toughest opening two games of any team in the country and has nothing to show for its effort other than a pair of losses. The Cavaliers will take a step down in competition when they host William & Mary on Saturday.

Virginia suffered a 34-16 loss at UCLA in its opener and suffered a 34-27 loss to Notre Dame in Week 2 when the Irish connected on a 39-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left. That heartbreaker marked an improvement from the first week, and coach Mike London is looking to keep taking steps in that direction. “Moving forward, it's about improving from this game we just played, regardless of the opponent,” London told reporters. “I believe this team, we have the mindset, we have the will, so many things that we have that need to manifest itself into playing out on the field, and then win games like that, close games out like that.” William & Mary, which plays in the Colonial Athletic Association, began its FCS slate with a 34-7 win over Lafayette in its opener.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: NL

ABOUT WILLIAM & MARY (1-0): The Tribe made big plays in all three phases against Lafayette, with a pair of interceptions and a blocked field goal to go along with a big day from quarterback Steve Cluley. The junior threw a pair of touchdown passes in the win and put up 289 yards after averaging 170.7 last season – his first as a starter. Cluley has the luxury of Mikal Abdul-Saboor at running back, and the senior added a pair of touchdowns in the opener as he tries to follow up a 1,266-yard, 12-touchdown junior campaign.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (0-2): One of the bright spots to come out of the loss last week was the connection between quarterback Matt Johns and senior wide receiver Canaan Severin, who finished with career highs of 11 catches and 153 yards. “Canaan has emerged to be a big play player for us, a go to guy,” London told reporters. “He may not be the fastest guy vertically, but because of his athletic ability to go vertical, big frame, big body - you've seen the one-handed catches. Even if it's man-to-man coverage, he has an opportunity to come down with the ball.” Severin is still looking for his first touchdown catch after hauling in five last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. William & Mary won at Virginia 26-14 in 2009 but dropped the latest meeting, 40-3 in 2011.

2. London began his full-time coaching career with the Tribe under current William & Mary coach Jimmye Laycock from 1991-1994.

3. Cavaliers RB Taquan Mizzell has 111 yards rushing and 110 yards receiving through the first two games.

PREDICTION: Virginia 45, William & Mary 10