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​Virginia hosts Coastal foe North Carolina Saturday

Benkert, rushing game will be critical in potential shootout

<p>Senior running back Albert Reid and Virginia will need to establish an effective ground game Saturday against North Carolina.</p>

Senior running back Albert Reid and Virginia will need to establish an effective ground game Saturday against North Carolina.

A string of three consecutive losses marked another disappointing start to the Virginia football season. However, after two straight wins and an offense that totaled over 400 yards in consecutive games, all eyes were on their return to the field after a much needed bye week.

The offense didn’t disappoint, putting up 28 first-half points and keeping pace with a talented Pittsburgh offense led by junior running back James Conner. In the end, the running game of the Panthers proved too overwhelming, and the Cavaliers (2-4, 1-1 ACC) walked away with a loss.

There isn’t much time for melancholy, though, as Virginia plays host to No. 22 North Carolina Saturday at 3 p.m. The Tar Heels (5-2, 3-1 ACC) have won eight consecutive true road games — the fourth longest active streak in the nation. They have also scored less than 20 points in a game only once this season, with strong play from junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

It will be no small task to slow down this powerhouse of an offense that has playmakers all over the field. Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall commented on the importance of the outside linebackers to stop the open field play of the Tar Heels.

“When you play dominant defense, especially dominant 3-4 defense, the edges really become a strength, because those outside backers really become and really are recruited to be a couple of the featured players on the entire team,” Mendenhall said. “In fact, coach [Kelly] Poppinga, our outside ‘backer coach, I think every player that he’s coached while we’ve been together has gotten a chance to go on to the NFL. … But really, [sophomore] Chris Peace and [freshman] Jordan Mack are showing capability and showing ability, but still working on consistency, just like the rest of our team. So we’re still missing more plays in open field than what I would like. But we’re starting to make more than what we had before.”

The open field has been a concern for the Virginia defense this season. The Cavaliers have allowed almost 170 yards per game on the ground, largely due to missed open field tackles. It will be important for Virginia to put more emphasis on this portion of its game heading into this week.

The team that best establishes its running game could see the most success in this potential shootout. Both teams rank poorly in the rushing defense category, with the Tar Heels allowing over 200 yards per game on the ground.

Virginia has several running backs capable of making a difference Saturday.

Senior Taquan Mizzell has been a tough open field runner and an extremely versatile receiver out of the backfield, having caught a reception in an astonishing 39 straight games. Meanwhile, senior Albert Reid leads the Cavaliers in touchdowns this season with seven and has scored in five straight games, a testament to his hard-nose style and ability to push the line of scrimmage forward.

Mendenhall is pleased that the Virginia offense has started to get the ball in the hands of the team's’ playmakers of late.

“I’ve been pretty happy through the course of the year, especially the last few weeks as the use of Olamide [Zaccheaus], and Keeon [Johnson] and Albert Reid and Doni Dowling, so I think we’ve done a pretty nice job of establishing that,” he said.

Strong quarterback play from junior Kurt Benkert will also be essential to a Cavalier upset this Saturday. Through six games, he has thrown 14 touchdowns to seven interceptions and has shown a great ability to extend plays outside of the pocket.

“I just try to find the fine line between being aggressive and taking what they give me and not trying to force it,” Benkert said.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday in Scott Stadium.

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