Maybe JoePa had a right to complain.

Penn State's head coach was none too pleased when he was informed last spring that the Nittany Lions' game against Virginia was moved from Saturday Sept. 7 to this weekend because the Cavaliers had also signed a contract with South Carolina for Sept. 7. As a result, the Lions have to play 11 straight games to finish the season. Virginia, meanwhile, inadvertently received an extra week to prepare for Penn State thanks to an open date last weekend.

"They had a week off and everything played out to their advantage," Paterno said. "We are playing well and I hope we can continue to play well because Virginia is good, young and getting better every week."

But instead of spending two weeks in rapt attention to their game plan for the Lions, the Cavaliers did something a little different -- nothing. Virginia head coach Al Groh gave the entire team the week off. No practices, no meetings and no workouts.

Groh explained his decision by saying his team needed time to rest a season's worth of bumps and bruises. It might have seemed like a good idea, but apparently not all of his players agreed because most of the time spent at least a little time in the weight room.

"It wasn't too hard," quarterback Matt Schaub said. "We worked out a few times in the weight room and we are at it with a bit of intensity and we're geared up for the last four games of the season."

The emphasis wasn't on getting stronger, but rather making sure the Cavilers, who have been involved in close games all year, didn't get out of shape during their time off.

"The main thing was to get in the weight room and not to lose the wind and stamina we've developed," Schaub said. "There were a lot of guys bruised up ... we kind of geared it down and focused on things not football-related."

That might be good talk for Schaub, who's relatively healthy considering he's been sacked 12 times thus far. But the week to rest really helped out those guys who are banged up in ways that don't heal overnight.

"Man, it's not really describable," said linebacker Angelo Crowell, who is playing with a pair of sprained MCL's. "My knees feel much better, almost like I'm back to myself."

Beyond recuperation, the Caviliers spent the week trying to conjure up a scheme, much like last season when they dropped eight defenders in pass coverage, to keep Penn State's offense stagnant. Whether they've found it or not, Groh won't say, but his team is sure to be ready to go.