Paint the Town Orange

            The student body and the community of Charlottesville are surely gearing up for this weekend’s kickoff of the 2010 UVa football season. First years like myself are in eager anticipation of their first game as a Wahoo. Upperclassmen are hopeful of a “new era” in UVa football under new head coach, Mike London. Speaking of London, the emotions surrounding his first game as head coach on the Virginia sideline are surely heightened considering who will be occupying the opposing benches. London led Richmond to the championship game of the NCAA D1 Football Subdivision the past two seasons, winning the game in 2008 with a 24-5 record over that span. However, this will not be the first time London has donned the UVa colors, having been on the Cavs coaching staff during two separate periods before signing on as coach of the Spiders. No matter how you slice it expectations are high for London and his squad going into this season. The last couple seasons under Al Groh have been sub-par to say the least, going 8-16 since losing to Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl after the 2007 season. On top of that some of the biggest games this season will be played right on our own turf including #20 Florida State, #18 North Carolina, and #13 Miami. Despite all the unknowns, one thing is certain: London and his team will need the support of both the UVa and C-ville communities to fill the 61,500-seat stadium Hoos call home in order to win this season, starting with Richmond week one.  Kickoff for this Saturday’s game at Scott Stadium is 6PM. (All numbers and records were compiled through Wikipedia’s page on Virginia Cavaliers football.)-MA