Virginia football team to see a steady dose of referees as first game nears

A few minutes after the Virginia football team took the field for a special teams practice Thursday afternoon, a group of game officials strode out in full uniform. It's not uncommon for teams to bring in referees to a few practices in order to create a more game-like atmosphere, and Coach Mike London said he plans to take advantage of their presence as often as possible in the coming weeks.

"We had some [referees] this morning when we went through team situations, and now with the kicking game we'll have that same group again," London said. "It's one of those things where the alignment of a Z receiver who's on the line of scrimmage with a tight end when he's supposed to be off the ball. Before practice, guys get lined up out there, and [the receiver] may think that he's off the ball. Well, now you have the officials out there that can remind him. So now the next time that he comes out, he's reminded and maybe it's a half a step back. Little things like that that they remind the players about how to play the game so we don't self-inflict ourselves with penalties and mental errors."

Speaking of special teams, London said junior place kicker Robert Randolph -- who made 17 of 19 field goals last season -- has turned in a solid performance thus far during training camp.

"The other day he kicked a 50-yarder, along with [junior place kicker] Chris Hinkebein," London said. "I think as far as the accuracy and keeping track of who's making the most, Robert's winning that battle."