Virginia Game

[Captain Kangaroo]

Lost is their QB from 2003, as well as their top 4 wide receivers (#4 WR is moving to QB). See how they lost one of their WR's below:

U.Va. receiver, facing charge, unlikely to play this season

By DOUG DOUGHTY, LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE, The Virginian-Pilot

© July 10, 2004

University of Virginia wide receiver Ottowa Anderson, who started 13 games last year as a junior, is facing an assault and battery charge and almost certainly will not play this season.

“Ottowa has been a valued member of our football family for three years,” U.Va. coach Al Groh said. “He is not enrolled in summer school and is not planning to be enrolled for the fall semester.

“Ottowa has not been training with the team, and we have not been planning on playing him this upcoming season.”

Groh, on vacation in North Carolina, said he had not spoken to Anderson, a graduate of Norview High in Norfolk.

The Albemarle County Police Department issued a statement Friday saying Anderson was charged in connection with an alleged assault on a female acquaintance.

Police said an emergency protective order also had been issued stemming from a domestic situation police investigated on Wednesday.

Anderson had not been picked up as of Friday evening, so the arrest warrants had not been served .

The woman Anderson is charged with assaulting, Jessica R. Turner, faces the same charges. Anderson alleges that Turner hit him and threatened him with a knife.

“The essence of a family is that you care for each other,” said Groh . “You don’t turn your back when problems occur. Family members counsel and care.

“At the same time, strong families have standards and values that must be complied with. We will emphasize to Ottowa and all team members that we abhor abusive behavior. There’s no justification for abusive behavior.”

Anderson, a 6-foot, 186-pounder, was generally considered the best blocker among U.Va.’s wide receivers, and his 33 receptions last season were high among Cavalier wideouts with remaining eligibility.

“As a player, he’s been one of the most compliant, one of the most energetic, one of the most competitive kids on the team,” Groh said. “He will not leave the practice field without understanding exactly what you want him to do. Academically, he’s a bright kid. He’s very capable.”

On the other hand, Anderson faced academic issues that threatened his eligibility even before police started looking for him, Groh indicated.

Anderson has never been redshirted. Technically, he could return for a final season of eligibility in 2005. Groh, however, said that “a lot of things would have to be resolved” for that to happen. He did not elaborate.

Anderson’s departure comes at a time when Virginia has little depth at receiver.

Marques Hagans’ 25 receptions ranked second last year among U.Va. wide receivers with remaining eligibility, but Hagans is the leading candidate to start at quarterback this fall.

Virginia will welcome back Michael McGrew, who missed the entire 2003 season after sustaining a broken leg in preseason workouts. McGrew has 60 career receptions, including 27 as a junior in 2002.

[Guest CavMan]

I wouldn't get to enthralled with that article. You forgot all the catches our backs made and all are back again this year. You also forgot that our OLine is bigger, stronger, and more polished than ever.

BEWARE OF THE YEAR OF THE CAV!