ATLANTA, Ga.—
Virginia's turnaround season finally came to a close Saturday night, with a loss to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Now the Cavaliers say goodbye to one impressive senior class.
2011 was a year that put Charlottesville back on the map of college football relevance.
Virginia's 8-5 season, and berth in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, was a direct result of the determination of the Wahoo seniors.
"The opportunities to win games and them to exert their leadership and to feel good about who they are, to graduate from a great university, to be a good teammate," Virginia coach Mike London said. "Those are the things they talk about. Those are the things and the memories that have been created."
Some of the better players Virginia has seen ended their careers battered and bruised. Kris Burd's final game mirrored the team's season. An excellent run with a painful ending. But even a messed up collarbone couldn't take away his perspective.
"You know, us fifth year seniors we definitely got a lot to look back on and just say we kind of started a movement and launched UVA football back to where it needs to be," Burd said.
Senior defensive lineman Matt Conrath said: "I hope they build on the season. Go in to the offseason with some motivation that we might have left some plays out on the field and just to build on it."
Virginia will miss the skill and leadership of its senior class, but they won't be leaving the cupboards bare. Twelve true freshman saw playing time in 2011, meaning there is a strong, young core of talent coming back for another run at a bowl.
"The older guys did a good job of setting the standard and it's just up to us and the younger guys to hold that standard high," Virginia tailback Perry Jones said.
"I know we're going to come out this offseason and work our butts off to be even better next year," Michael Rocco, a sophomore quarterback said.
London said: "Can't wait to get back in the film room and the weight room and get ready for winter conditioning. I'm Just really excited about moving forward with the type of team that we have, particularly who is coming back.
It's a new year, a new season has begun."
