John "the Beast" Bunting Groh and staff won this one...

Game stats

Charlottesville _  Hard to think about this game, much less write.  But one thing is for sure.  The Heels still have the monkey on their backs in C-ville.  As good as we came out of the blocks, we lost for the 11th time since 1981 at their house.

For a half the Tar Heels appeared to have confidence, execution and a good game plan to explain the 21 - 0 lead.  I can't remember anytime this season that the Heels came out with any more energy.

I thought that our coaching finally had risen to the occasion.  For a half we were doing the number on the Hoos.  But in the 2nd half, we broke down.  Yes, Virginia was playing better.  But why weren't we playing at least the same?

Looks like our coaching staff is struggling with half time and in-game adjustments.  Is it that we don't think about what our opponent can or will do?  Or is it more of just trying to emphasize what we want to do, and then in the 2nd half just do it the same or hopefully better?  Today, we got worse and there was little indication that we could adjust to Virginia's adjustments.  Damn, one for Groh and staff.

What was exciting for me, and the biggest bright spot of the game, was to see Mahlon Carey get into the game early and have some production.  First carry, 5 yards. Second carry, 3 yards.  Finally the Heels are 3rd and short.  And this helped to set the tone for a good first half.  At one point Mahlon was averaging 5 yards a carry.  Not too shabby for a true freshman seeing his first collegiate action.  He will only get stronger and better.  He's an example to support being future oriented.  Yo Mahlon!

Other than in game adjustments, I draw a blank as to why the Heels didn't continue to kick ass.  We had them on the ropes.  Seems like with desire and continued focus, we should have won 41 - 31, although I predicted we'd win 27 - 24.  Not the case and the questions will continue.  OK, I did see some arm tackles and reaches on the runner in the second half.  Bummer!

OK, maybe the 100 yard return for a touchdown proved to be the back-breaker.  Or was it Aiken's fumble at the two, eliminating points on the board?  One big play seems to stymie this team.  Last week against State, I thought the back-breaker was Durant's fumble in the 3rd quarter.  We never regained the momentum then.  Nor did we today.  Why do we let one big play destroy our confidence?  The players need to answer that one.

Late in the game Durant had a thumb injury on his throwing hand.  He had to come out and from there it got worse, or continued that direction.  Was it a factor of the Heels losing their leader, or 30 some minutes is all we can play right now, or was it more about who came in?

C. J. Stephens finally got a chance to come in when the game was still undecided.  He was looking pretty bad and I was continually thinking "ouch"!  The Hoos brought the dogs.  And C. J. couldn't strive with the speed of the game.

To C. J.'s credit, in the latter stages of the game when it was decided, he began to show some poise and completed some plays.  But at that point Virginia was playing more prevent and giving him the short stuff.  To me the court is still out on Stephens.  If Slinger can't go, I vote for Matt Baker playing instead of Stephens.  At 2 - 5 it's time to think about the future and Baker has more games left.  Nuf said.

So where do we go from here?  Well, if you have a coin, give it a flip and call it in the air.  At this point, I've resolved to just enjoying seeing the Heels take the field and enjoying the tailgate parties.  I continue to have faith in the Beast and think he will find a way to be successful.  But at this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see coaching changes on his staff.

As the coaching is continually tuned, we would expect to see better player development and hopefully in game adjustments.  But that's Bunting's call and speaks to the future.  Today he got his ass kicked and I don't expect him to enjoy that.

While I love the apparent effort the Heels are giving, it just doesn't get any easier this season.  So I'll leave all Carolina fans with these thoughts.  Continue to go to the games.  Continue to wear blue and be loud.  Continue to love our Heels and give them support.  And for damn sure, continue to hold your heads high.  The Beast will right the ship and get it going.  But they need our help now more than ever.

My friends tell me they have a ticket for me next week at Wake Forest.  See you at the game.

Go Heels!