Saturday’s 45-13 trouncing of Richmond brought much needed joy to Scott Stadium for the first time since Sept. 21 last year. The Cavaliers took care of business on both sides of the ball and easily outmatched their in-state foes.
Though I undoubtedly enjoyed our team’s success, I couldn’t get my mind off of the past. For much of the first half, I couldn’t figure out why I was reminiscing instead of just taking in the solid display of football in front of me.
Was it that I kept hearing Michael Rocco’s name over the loudspeaker? Or maybe it was because Richmond was the first team I saw in Scott Stadium when I was a first year?
Neither of those things put my mind at ease. What finally jarred me into the realization was sophomore linebacker Max Valles destroying Richmond quarterback Michael Strauss, setting up junior defensive end Eli Harold for an easy scoop and score.
That moment allowed me to put my finger on what I was thinking about: the Spring Game.
Way back in April, everyone in the press box had the same question: is the offense really this anemic, or is the defense just that good? The secondary allowed just 294 yards passing combined to the three quarterbacks that played and no running back had more than 30 yards.
The Spring Game was nothing short of a defensive slugfest that saw four interceptions, nine sacks and just two touchdowns. I left Scott Stadium that day deeply concerned for the upcoming season. As they say: you can’t win if you can’t score.
Two weeks into the regular season, though, it seems I and the rest of the worriers have our answer. The offense can move the ball and put it in the endzone, but the defense will carry this team.
This defensive unit is as stout as they come and has playmakers all over the field. The Cavaliers have yielded just two touchdowns through its first two weeks — granted one was to an FCS team, but the other one was a nationally ranked team lead by a Heisman Trophy caliber quarterback.
Virginia allowed less than 200 rushing yards combined in the past two weeks. To break that down further, opposing running backs are averaging a measly 2.6 yards per carry against the front seven. Teams simply aren’t able to establish a rushing attack against this group.
These guys don’t just clog gaps well, they can pin their ears back and get after the passer as well. Harold and Valles have been a nightmare for offensive linemen so far this year, and that won’t change. The two have combined for 4.5 sacks already and have forced two fumbles — no quarterback is safe with this pair coming off the edge.
Couple that stout edge rush with senior middle linebacker Henry Coley — who has 2.5 sacks himself — and you have an elite group of defenders in the box. Coley is an absolute force through the middle and can hit as hard as anyone in the country. Once five-star prized recruit Andrew Brown gets his feet under him, Virginia will possess the depth needed to be seen as the top-tier defense that it is. It’s only a matter of time.
The secondary admittedly has not been as stellar as the front seven, but the bar has been set very high and they have done their best to hurdle it. Led by preseason All-ACC senior safety Anthony Harris, the defensive backs have nabbed three interceptions this year and are giving up just more than 300 yards per game.
Saturday’s game also saw the emergence of the highly touted Quin Blanding, who recorded his first career interception and added seven tackles to his résumé. Having him in Virginia’s defensive backfield for the next four years certainly provides hope to Cavalier fans that this pattern of dominance is sustainable.
All told, this defensive unit has nine takeaways, one touchdown, and has given up less than 800 yards through two games. Those are impressive numbers by anyone’s standards.
With the offense finding its footing, Virginia looks potentially bowl-eligible this season. The ACC is by no means the toughest conference in the nation and as of now there don’t seem to be any definite losses on our schedule — though the trip to Tallahassee will be pretty tough.
It’s obviously very early in the season, but if the Cavaliers can stay out of their own way, I like their chances to be a solid team in 2014.
If you’re still in doubt, that’s fine. I’ll just tell Henry Coley and we’ll see if he can’t change your mind.
Read More
Virginia baseball drops two of three in home series with Georgia Tech
By Ryan Weiner | YesterdayThe Cavaliers dropped a crucial series, and will need to rebound quickly heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Virginia track and field delivers strong performances at Virginia Challenge
By Tanmayi Patil | YesterdayThe Cavaliers displayed impressive performances across the board over the weekend.
No. 4 men’s lacrosse falls in “heroic” game against No. 7 Syracuse after fourth-quarter charge
By Cole Huff | YesterdayWhile Virginia failed to win, the game provided an excellent feel for what the NCAA Tournament will be like, preparing the team for May.
