After a disappointing loss to Indiana two weeks ago, Virginia bounced back in dominating fashion against Connecticut, winning 38-18. With momentum on the Cavaliers’ side, it’s time to see if the team can pull off a road victory against Boise State. This week, the CD Sports staff takes a look at some players and keys to watch out for in Friday night’s game in Boise, ID.
Players to watch
Junior running back Olamide Zaccheaus
Virginia Coach Bronco Mendenhall may have found his new Swiss Army knife player in Zaccheaus. With the graduation of versatile running back Taquan Mizzell, Mendenhall came into 2017 without a do-it-all playmaker who can contribute as a runner, receiver and returner. Enter Zaccheaus, who put up a monster stat line against Connecticut last week in all phase. The junior caught nine passes for 122 yards, ran four times for 47 yards and totaled 56 yards on two kick returns. He helped reignite the Cavaliers’ running game while using his speed on the outside to haul in big plays from senior quarterback Kurt Benkert all afternoon.
Against a formidable Boise State defensive line, Zaccheaus can help Benkert get rid of the ball fast with on quick routes and screens. Additionally, some big runs from him can help keep the offense in rhythm and open up play-action opportunities for bigger Cavalier receivers. Look for Zaccheaus to stuff the stat sheet again this week as Mendenhall continues to wield him in new ways.
Senior wide receiver Doni Dowling
Dowling led the way for Virginia’s trio of wide receivers that recorded over 100 receiving yards this past weekend with 136. Dowling has been a consistent target for Benkert and Virginia, having secured a reception in eight-straight games. Though it will be hard to replicate the offensive performance Virginia put on last weekend, Dowling can still help Virginia’s offense to play at a high level. He has an ability to make all sorts of plays, as evident when he caught a tipped Benkert pass and was able to take it down the field for a long yardage play against the Huskies and when he secured a long, 42-yard touchdown on a Benkert pass. If Dowling can have another strong performance, he will force Boise State’s defense to focus more on him and thereby create more space for Virginia’s other receivers.
Keys to the game
Deep ball
After struggling with the deep ball in the two first two games of the season, Benkert put on a show against the Huskies. His ability to connect on downfield passes with his receivers opened up the offense in a way it hadn’t been able to thus far. Virginia’s success with the deep ball kept Connecticut’s offense honest and on its toes throughout the game. It added versatility to an offense that was able to use its success in the air to play a formidable running game also. With tougher competition this Friday, it will be key for Virginia to connect on the deep ball, keeping its offense versatile and balanced enough so that it can move the ball up the field in a variety of ways.
Striking a balance on offense
Virginia’s last two games exemplify a stark contrast in how its offense has functioned. In the loss against Indiana, the Cavaliers were completely stifled in the run game, putting up only 72 yards on the ground. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae was forced to turn to Benkert to shoulder the offensive load as a result, but the gunslinger could not find a rhythm as the offense went stale. Conversely, against Connecticut — albeit a less talented defensive team — Virginia tallied 179 rushing yards, and Benkert had the one of the best games of his career with passing lanes opened up. The Virginia rushing attack will have to take pressure off Benkert Friday so the quarterback can expose the Boise State secondary. In their lone loss of the season, the Broncos allowed Washington State to pass for 433 yards and put up 47 points. The Cavaliers will have a great shot at winning if Benkert can put up big numbers, but his running game will have to earn some respect from the Bronco defense for that to happen.
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