Green, Snyder take advantage of extra playing time

Virginia Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor said he noticed something different about the way junior wide receiver Jared Green performed in practice last week. He couldn't put his finger on exactly what caused it -- though the likely season-ending ankle injury to sophomore wideout Tim Smith may have had something to do with it -- but Lazor definitely saw an improved performance from Green leading up to the game against Virginia Military Institute.

"I thought he appeared more focused," Lazor said of Green. "He appeared just simply to do the right things and to play with good effort. I would say all the little things that we work really hard to coach are the things that showed up, and when it did, he was productive in practice."

That preparation paid dividends, as Green caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown Saturday.

With Smith in street clothes Saturday, Green and junior wide receiver Matt Snyder were afforded opportunities to vie for larger roles in the Cavaliers offense. Smith was the No. 3 receiver on the team's depth chart, a spot now vacated.

Snyder tallied three receptions for 45 yards against the Keydets. Before Smith's lingering ankle injury grew more severe, coaches said Snyder was the No. 4 wide receiver. It will be interesting to see whether he or Green assumes Smith's role as the offense's third wideout target in the coming weeks.