Just seconds before the opening kickoff, Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell was seen blowing kisses to the crowd. … As usual, UVa won the toss and kicked off first.

On the opening play, true freshman Nate Collins got his bell rung and used the assistance of kicker Chris Gould to be helped off the field. … Duke’s offense looked like, well, Duke’s offense on the opening series. On third down, Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis threw a pass that was tipped by UVa linebacker Jon Copper, slipped off the hands of the intended target and into the hands of Byron Glaspy. The events that followed should have been a sign to get the heck outta dodge. After a lengthy review, the play was overturned. Two more reviews later - one that came off an unsuccessful challenge by Duke coach Ted Roof - and I was headed for a Mountain Dew for a pick-me-up. Leaving Albemarle County before the sun comes up has that kind of impact on the body.

So much for the college football rule changes to speed up games. … Virginia’s offense looked fluid for the most part in the opening quarter. And for the first time all year, offensive coordinator Mike Groh reached into his bag of tricks to get on the scoreboard. UVa wide receiver Emmanuel Byers took a handoff from Sewell and raced to his right before flipping a 21-yard touchdown pass to Fontel Mines. None of Duke’s players were in the same area code as Mines. FYI, that was the third completed pass of Byers career and the second that went for a TD (that’s tops in the program right now). …

Virginia pulled off quite a feat midway through the first quarter. After Josh Zidenburg blocked a Duke punt, it was scooped up by teammate Jamaal Jackson at the Duke 1. One play later, the Cavaliers scored on a 1-yard drive as Jason Snelling rumbled into the end zone. As UVa Media Relations guru Michael Colley pointed out in the press box, that drive ties the World Record for shortest drives in football. … As I expected, Deyon Williams made his season debut and caught a 4-yard pass from Sewell. Cavalier fans are probably glad to have the big fella back. Also, let that be a sign that UVa coach Al Groh is not giving up on this season. … Collins returned in the second quarter to register a sack. …

Just so you know, the stadium is still empty. Perhaps Duke should have had the men’s and women’s basketball teams sign autographs during the game.

By Jay Jenkins
DailyProgress.com blogger

Welcome to Durham, N.C. … I think.

At this point, 15 minutes before kickoff, I have to admit that it feels a lot more like a high school game. The stadium is empty. It is Homecoming here at Duke so perhaps the fans are still in the parking lots enjoying a beautiful North Carolina day.

Virginia’s players just ran off the field after going through the usual pre-game routine. … Wideout Deyon Williams looked fluid in his cuts and if I had to guess, I would say that he is good enough to go. Will he play? That’s the question of the hour. …

Several players did not make the trip for the Cavaliers. Punt returner/wide receiver Andrew Pearman is the most noticeable. Sources have said that he has a sprained knee, but that he was able to jog on it. Fullback Keith Payne is on the trip, but that’s the honor that comes with being the scout team Player of the Week for the prior game. He will be a pre-game captain. … Game time temperature is 68 degrees. … More updates as the game gets going.

DailyProgress.com blogger Matt Deegan met up with Indianapolis resident Jennifer Pierce and her friend, Nick Williams from Memphis, at tonight’s show. The two met at a DMB show two years ago, keep in touch by email and meet up at DMB shows around the country. Pierce has been to 65 DMB shows and sees them as a chance to see the country. She works for Marriott and shares her hotel discount with other DMB travelers.

Bob Gibson just reported in and says the DMB has played six songs so far and that the crowd—which includes Gov. Tim Kaine, former Gov. Gerald Baliles, UVa President John Casteen and vice president Leonard Sandridge—is on its feet.

Look for complete coverage in Saturday’s Daily Progress and on DailyProgress.com. 

By Matt Deegan
DailyProgress.com blogger

A Dave Matthews Band concert is not just an event on the JPJ Arena schedule, according to the band’s fans. It’s a family gathering.

“We become a family,” said Elaina Kleiman, a 25-year-old waitress who drove nine hours from Rochester, N.Y., with her best friend to see DMB. “We’re the New Age Grateful Dead. We’re hanging out under one tent and I don’t know any of these people, but there’s a chance I might see them at the next show.”

Gary Moore, unlike most people tailgating in the JPJ arena parking lot, is attending his first DMB show. He saw the Grateful Dead many times and sees the similarities. “Jerry (Garcia)’’s gone, so we have to have someone to replace him.”

Jason Weafer, from Boston, could not find a vacant hotel room in the area, so he will be sleeping in his rental car. “It’s different every time,” said Weafer, explaining why he goes to such lengths to see the DMB.