Virginia football has faced Coastal Carolina just once.
In that game, the Cavaliers put together an all time offensive showing Sept. 21, 2024 against the Chanticleers. Over 500 yards of total offense, 300 rushing yards for the first time since 2018 and 43 total points. This win improved their record to 3-1 and put them on a track for success.
When the Cavaliers start their 2025 campaign against Coastal Carolina Saturday at 6 p.m. at Scott Stadium, they will look to emulate this performance and start off on the right foot.
With so many new players on the roster, it will be critical for Virginia to put a beating on the Chanticleers and gain some early season momentum. Ironically, the only remaining Cavalier scorers from that 2024 game are senior kicker Will Bettridge and senior quarterback Grady Brosterhous, who is a backup. Nonetheless, Virginia is more than capable of engineering another big victory, which it will need to reach its goal of earning a postseason berth.
“I think the expectation that we have inside the building is probably greater than any expectation that we get externally [from fans and media],” Coach Tony Elliott said. “And so there's no excuses.”
Ask any Cavalier fan, and they will all say that this is the season Elliott has to make the leap and take Virginia to the postseason. Ask any player or coach on the roster, and they will say that this team is more than capable of doing so.
However, even a 4-1 start in 2024 was not enough to get the Cavaliers to a bowl game. So, it will be vital that Virginia starts off hot if they want a chance at their first bowl game since 2019.
Like last season, getting a blowout against Coastal Carolina will require a balanced offensive effort. Morris will have to fill the void in the passing game while receivers like seniors Trell Harris and Jahmal Edrine bear the load in pass catching. While last year’s air attack was flashy against the Chanticleers, Morris and company have to have composed dominance to show they can sustain their success. Throw the ball at will, get open at will, make big plays at will.
“I want to see [Virginia] control the momentum in the game,” Elliott said. “If the other team makes a play and changes the momentum in their favor, can we quickly get it shifted back in our favor? If we create momentum, can we pounce? ... And then can we finish in the fourth quarter?’ Those are things that I want to see, and that's what good teams do.”
An incredible total of 384 rushing yards might not be needed, but senior running back Xavier Brown and graduate running back J’Mari Taylor will have to establish the run game early and find gaps as well. Brown had 171 rushing yards off just nine carries against Coastal Carolina in 2024, so he should know how to break down the defense of Coach Tim Beck. If Brown and Taylor can show a nuanced running game that is superior both physically and tactically, the Cavaliers will be in for success down the line.
Defensively, Virginia was not as dominant in their 2024 matchup with the Chanticleers, allowing 24 points giving up nearly 400 yards of offense. However, there are no excuses this season as the team features a slew of transfers ready to make an impact.
Senior defensive end Fisher Camac and graduate defensive end Mitchell Melton bring size and speed, respectively, to a defensive line that has lacked a bite in recent years. Senior cornerback Donavon Platt and junior cornerback Emmanuel Karnley strengthened the cornerback room, while graduate safety Devin Neal will serve as the last line of defense as the starting free safety.
Conversely, there are a lot of contributors from last year’s defense that return looking to improve on their performance. Graduate safety Antonio Clary had an interception in last year’s match against Coastal Carolina and also led the team in tackles that game. Meanwhile, graduate linebacker James Jackson racked up seven tackles in the 2024 affair as well.
While the Cavaliers are well-equipped, the Chanticleers will not roll over and accept defeat. In fact, their team has some transfers of their own looking to reverse the result of last year’s game. Junior quarterback MJ Morris has played football at the Power Four level and will be a strong offensive captain. Senior running back Jalen John has that experience as well which makes for a strong one-two punch.
On the Chanticleer defense, players like senior defensive end Darrion Henry-Young and senior cornerback Ja’Marion Wayne also have experience at the top end of the FBS and will not be pushovers against the Cavalier offense. Coastal Carolina will pose a much bigger threat than last year, and how Virginia responds will be a telling tale of the season ahead.
All in all, while the Cavaliers may not need to be on their best to win against the Chanticleers, they will need to be on their best to capture the momentum needed to start this important season off right.
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