Posted by Block-C Staff

Ladies and gentlemen, they may not be winners on the field, but dammit they’re winners at Q&A. From Old Virginia brings us quite possibly the best responses to any “Know Your…” segment that we’ve done this year. We took some pretty damn good shots at them and they kept pace with us pretty well. Check out our answers here.

1) Be honest with us, is there a chance that you guys beat us this weekend and ruin everything? If so, what has to happen, realistically, for this to happen?

Slim, and if it happens, it’d look a lot like last week’s game against BC.  Our only hope to win football games these days is to get big plays from the defense and special teams.  As in, those units actually have to do the scoring themselves.  Clemson’s offense is respectable but not overpowering, which is our only saving grace.

2) Would things be all that different if Peter Lalich had managed to stick around? Does it bother you that Peter was clearly “too cool” for your “school?”

It bothers me that some people are too stupid to realize what they have going for them and place a higher priority on a stupid herb or a drink than on the opportunity they have on their plate.  But quarterbacks can’t do anything when their receivers aren’t open and their blockers can’t block.  Peyton Manning couldn’t move this offense.  I’ll concede it’s possible we’d be 4-6 right now instead of 3-7, woo to that?

3) What type of animal is Al Groh’s power animal. Describe it in detail and why it is a source of power and inspiration to Groh.

Al Groh draws inspiration from the badger.  The badger is resolute and unswerving.  He is trustworthy.  Some would say inordinately stubborn.  The badger is described in various works of classical literature as one who “simply hates society” and “doesn’t change.”  But in such works, the badger is never a villain.  He is loyal and values loyalty in others.  The badger is hardworking and protective, and occasionally territorial and will snap at other creatures such as pesky sideline reporters who enter their territory and attempt to eat their young.  Specifically, Groh is of the badger subspecies known as T. jeffersoni.

4) With Al Groh’s almost certain departure, what can we assume about the future of the Charlottesville Frumpy Sweatshirt Emporium?

They’ll be OK.  Al hasn’t actually bought a new sweatshirt in five years.  And they can always lobby for the hiring of Danny Rocco or Jim Grobe.

5) Have you guys ever thought of quitting? No I mean, overall. Like, have you guys ever thought of shutting the team down and just giving your soccer team a really awesome stadium? ECU would be a good addition to the ACC for football, what do you think?

We do like to think our expectations are higher than at, say, UNC, which sometimes seems to think football is a sideshow to women’s soccer.  Besides, we just beat ECU last year.

Posted by Willy Mac

As you know, we take issue with one Mr. Peter Lalich from time to time.  Don’t ask me why, he’s just one of those guys.  It’s just funny to see reality crashing into him via your Facebook newsfeed…

Posted by Willy Mac

This week we sniffed hind quarters (damn that was redneck) with Rob Mahini from TheSabre.com.  You can check out our answers here.

1.) You guys are .500 too, albeit under different circumstances. Whereas Clemson was supposed to be great, you guys were braced for a down year. How satisfied are you with your team considering most people’s expectations, and do you think there is any serious possibility that your administration will fire a coach who was named ACC Coach of the Year the previous year?

I guess when you lose a game to Duke, expectations change. We were braced for a down year, but a losing-to-Duke year? And then Groh followed that up with a winning streak in the middle of the season that nobody expected. Then he lead the team to a two-game losing streak. It’s been a roller coaster ride and I think a lot of fans are just tired of the ride. However, oddly enough, we’re still in contention for the Coastal title, so that’s been a nice distraction.

Groh is in no danger of getting fired. AD Craig Littlepage recently said that Groh is definitely returning, so there’s no doubt on that front. In fact, I’ve been saying for years that Groh is protected from losing his job because of the huge buyout provision in his contract, the change-averse nature of the administration, the endless stream of justifications for his mediocre seasons, and the occasional Coach of the Year curve ball. The man has nine lives. Sound familiar?

2) The Lalich situation got a little ridiculous. Were folks happy to see him go after being such a dummy or were most people upset about his leaving?

At first, the fans were pretty angry.  They thought that Lalich didn’t get enough of a second chance and that the administration forced Groh’s hand. Then, we learned that Lalich appeared to have burned through a number of second chances. I don’t want to get into rumor mongering, but let’s just say there were some Facebook pictures that didn’t exactly jibe with the terms of his probation. At this point, I think fans understand that the best thing was for him to start anew elsewhere, but they’re disappointed that the star-to-be turned into such a basket case.

3) Where will your big plays come from on offense? What one player can change the game?

Cedric Peerman (RB) has shown the best ability to game change for us. In a number of games during that winning streak, he’s ripped off long demoralizing runs that made the difference. I’ll say that Kevin Ogletree (WR) is a close second.  He is Virginia’s first true wide receiver threat in a long time, and QB Marc Verica has a knack of bombing touchdown passes to the ‘Tree.

4) What’s the strongest unit (DL, LB, DB) on the defensive side of the ball for Virgina? Who should we keep our eyes on?

It better be linebacker, since we run the 3-4. Clint Sintim has been a beast this year, and his crew has done a good job making up for some of the deficiencies in the front 3. The DB’s are much better than in the past, because some of the younger guys like Ras I-Dowling and a much better Vic Hall are actually covering guys downfield, but it’s still a bit suspect in the pass coverage game.

5) What’s your take on the outcome this Saturday? Be brutally honest with us.

It’s a tough call, but I think Virginia prevails. The Hoos are tough at home and have a lot to play for right now. No offense, but I think Clemson is in a bit of disarray given the coaching search and the whole blowing-the-season thing, so I’d be surprised if they can pull off a road win at this point in the season. If UVa gets solid play from Peerman and Verica, and the defense bends but doesn’t break, I think Virginia gets bowl eligible on Saturday. And then we’re set for a bottom tier ACC bid: the Eagle Bowl!

Posted by Willy Mac

The first two are real, the last… not so much. Here goes:

Block C,

Hey there. I’m a big time, life long Clemson fan and student and I was just wondering if ya’ll knew of anywhere selling or that had thought about remaking and selling “Block C” hats like Coach Danny Ford used to wear.

Thanks,
John F.

The hat we have in our header image can be found at Judge Keller’s along with an orange version. You can purchase it online here. No trucker hats though, unfortunately. Might check in with Mr. Knickerbocker’s because they occasionally have the foam and mesh trucker hats that have the Block C on them. Hope that helps.

Block C,

I am curious as to what happened between Clemson fans and N.C. State Head Coach Tom O’Brien that caused the Clemson Police to delay fans from coming onto the field by three minutes [at the conclusion of last week's game].

Do y’all know what happened and if so, please post something on your blog.

Thanks! Go Tigers!

- Scott A.

Apparently some drunk fans (we assume they’re drunk, perhaps they were just ornery) went straight for Coach O’Brien after the game, got in his face, and made an ugly scene. I haven’t seen the replay yet, but it sounds like O’Brien didn’t have proper police protection (not that that’s an excuse for the dumb fans’ behavior). I think they were probably upset that he took all his timeouts with almost no time left in the game. This has caused Clemson to reevaluate its policy of allowing fans onto the field immediately after the game is over. They are now requesting that fans wait until the opposing team has gone to their locker room. Thanks, asshole fans, for helping to restrict a Clemson tradition.

Continue Reading “FRIDAY MAILBAG” »

Posted by Willy Mac

Peter Lalich is a man among men. A mountain bear of a man with a football as a chew toy and a neolithic stone arm from outer space. But no, Lalich wasn’t just born into greatness. He had to hit the baptismal fire of life head on in a crazy windmill fashion that only he could pull off with awkward smoothness. Perhaps you have already seen his AMAZING WIKIPEDIA ENTRY. If you haven’t seen it, this is unacceptable. Fortunately, I’m here to not only provide you with a link to the article but to also to fill in the gaps that were left out. This is the amazing (semi) true story of one Master Peter Lalich navigated by yours truly with the assistance of a few facebook pictures (thank you public domain laws!)…

Peter Lalich: Harder than galvanized steel… forged in Springfield, Virginia

Young Peter was born on May 18th, 1988 to… uh… Peter Lalich who then subsequently… uh, named his son… Peter… after “Pistol” Pete Maravich. Ipso facto, Peter Lalich is a reincarnation of Pete Maravich but with a penchant for football, not basketball. He then grew up and did some rather insignificant stuff until the day he picked up his first football and threw it into the next neighborhood. Unfortunately for Peter, athleticism can’t buy you friends at such an early age and he remained in a secluded sect of youngsters that is usually dominated by tall, goofy kids that nervously interact as little as possible with peers. Life was hard for Peter in Pop Warner, little did he know that life was only about the get much harder.

Lalich, like his hero Jack Lambert, was accustomed to losing teeth in his early football years due to his vicious and often raucous style of play.

The mental toughness that would later show in his UVA years was constructed in searing heat as well as hurricane type storms under thundering skies while practicing and learning from Coach van Gouda at Springfield Middle School. Most of his toughness, as one might assume occurred on the field, actually came from what happened between bells during school. Teenage years can be harsh on a youth, but due to Peter being the “tall, ugly, goofy kid,” puberty took it’s toll twice as hard on him. At lunch he was relegated to sitting by himself or sitting with the kids that were a hodgepodgery of cracking voices, pimples, and dorkishness. Lalich decided to walk the lonely road… furthering his journey down a war beaten path.

Next came high school. Still no friends. Still no girls. Still a big ug. Peter experimented with Puka shell necklaces, neon green hat/pink shirt combos, feuax burberry sweaters pulled low, and taking pictures with his arms crossed and his greasy bangs pulled into his face. It can’t really be explained in mere words. Thus, the photo journal:

It kinda makes me miss high school myself. Things changed however. Peter got a letter telling him he’s got a full ride to UVA. Given natural high school social dictation, within minutes he’s got everything he could ever want. Parties, chicks, etc. It doesn’t matter that he’s one ugly mother now. All of that goes away when ya sign with the Wahoos. Especially when you’re buried on the depth chart. That’s where the real action is. Simply put, Peter Lalich is the fucking man. He’s the Bomb.com. Seriously.

In fact, you should friend him on facebook, immediately. The reasoning behind this is the fact that he gives almost daily inspiration in his status updates ranging from statements like “Peter… snow so white, only thing missin is 7 dwarfs” and “Peter… str8 like arm hair.” I teared up when I read ” Peter… I just do my pete and everytime i speak my sentences are complete LOLOLOLOL.”

More so, Peter Lalich knows people. Want tickets to that Skid Row concert minutes before the show? No worries, Peter already has someone stuffing your tickets AND backstage passes in Will Call as we speak. He’s got you front and back. You wanna roll with Peter to lunch? Sure thing. He’ll just pick up his Kia Sorrento that the dealership lends him and be on his way over. Onward to lunch as you’re further impressed that EVERYONE KNOWS PETER. Even the people at Moe’s shout to him as he enters! Peter Lalich is a Campus Legend. In fact, he coined the phrase and sent it along to the NCAA football game developers, via e-mail… on his Blackberry. Stunningly, he’s so amazing that he even lists Rivals.com as his personal website on facebook!