Chelsea Shine received a perfect birthday present from her teammates: the basketball.

TAMPA - Tony Bennett pursed his lips, leaned back in his court-side seat and let out a big sigh.

Representatives from the Champs Sports Bowl sat in motionless fashion to listen on as Virginia coach Al Groh met with reporters following the Cavaliers’ 14-10 loss to Boston College.

Whether it is Virginia’s two losing streaks, the Cavaliers’ lone winning streak or Boston College’s dismal road record, the number stands out entering today’s showdown at Scott Stadium.

For Virginia (3-6, 2-3 ACC) another three-game winning streak is a must. Without that turnaround, the Cavaliers and coach Al Groh will spend the holidays at home for the third time in four seasons.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — If Friday night was any indication, there won’t be many games this year where fans can leave early to beat the traffic.

Virginia defeated Longwood 85-72 to open the Tony Bennett era after a second-half surge brought the Lancers within eight points late in the game.

Heading into Saturday’s game against Boston College, the Cavaliers (3-6, 2-3 ACC) rank among the worst in the ACC in numerous categories.

Demoralized and defeated, Virginia quarterback Marc Verica attempted to scurry off the field at Land Shark Stadium on Saturday.

Virginia’s football practices this week were conducted in sweats, not because the temperature was low in Charlottesville, but rather to try to imitate the heat the Wahoos will face today in Miami.

“It’s hard to simulate, but we’re trying to get as close to it as we can here,” receiver Vic Hall said.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage says a decision on Al Groh’s future as the school’s football coach will come at the end of the season.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — It’s an exaggeration to say that Virginia is the worst team in a BCS conference when it comes to scoring points.

But it’s not too far off.

Despite woeful numbers and the apparent changes coming at the McCue Center, Virginia’s players will attempt to win for Coach Al Groh and each other.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — At times last Saturday, Virginia’s cornerbacks felt like they weren’t even playing the game.

Chris Cook and Ras-I Dowling anchor the ACC’s best pass defense, and Georgia Tech didn’t have any interest in trying to throw on them — there were just eight passes attempted all game.

“Those guys are always saying they wish they had more action,” coach Al Groh said. “Well, they’re going to get their wish.”

One thing is very clear when you talk to Virginia freshman Tristan Spurlock - he’s not some shy, timid kid who’s just hoping to make an impact on the program someday in the future.

Is it a sign of how far Virginia has fallen?

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The first mention of it came Sunday.

For better or worse, Virginia’s football players are given a game plan for their upcoming contest on a weekly basis. At no point, however, have the back-to-back plans been of greater variety as what Virginia will face in transitioning from Georgia Tech to Saturday’s tilt with Duke at Scott Stadium.

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Tony Bennett has been running basketball practices at U.Va. for a week now. In that time, and since workouts started this fall, the players have learned a few things about him.

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Virginia has a 3-3 record, which generally denotes an average team.

As expected, Virginia defensive end Matt Conrath was ruled out on Thursday for the upcoming Georgia Tech game with an ankle sprain.

It was obvious to every person in Scott Stadium two years ago that defensive end Chris Long was Virginia’s best pass-rushing performer.

After a winless September, Virginia’s football team is pulling off a perfect October, and it’s time to ask a once-laughable question: Can these Cavs make a bowl game?

Maryland’s players shared a common sentiment Saturday. Using a smoke-and-mirror approach, Virginia had stolen a victory in College Park, Md., the Terrapins believed.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The 2009-10 Virginia men’s basketball media day on Monday afternoon at John Paul Jones Arena was a whole lot different than the one last season.

Two days after being carted off the field, running back Mikell Simpson was back at UVa’s football facility. He didn’t take part in the team’s Sunday practice, but Simpson was able to join the team for the film review of Saturday’s 47-7 victory against Indiana.

Indiana was sitting squarely behind the 8-ball just 15 minutes into action.

As Chase Minnifield heads to the field to return a punt for the University of Virginia football team, everything is practiced and orderly. He’s a superstitious guy, so the entire routine is the same as it was the previous time.

Chris Cook called his shot.

In the minds of the players and coaches at Virginia, the team’s victory over North Carolina is an afterthought.

All that seems to matter to the Cavaliers is what lies ahead, most importantly, a contest with Indiana (3-2) on Saturday at Scott Stadium.

What seemed like enough to complete the mission suddenly crumbled in crunch time at Southern Mississippi.

Just two days after switching to an offense that is more dependent on running backs, Virginia was dealt a blow Monday when the team learned that freshman running back Dominique Wallace will miss the rest of the season with an injury.