In Coach Tony Elliott’s view, the bye week that the team had this past week was perfectly timed. It fell right after their sixth game, making it a crucial moment for this football team to catch their breath at the midpoint of their season.
“This was a reset halfway through to see where we are,” Elliott said during media availability. “What did we do well? What are areas to improve? How do we make those improvements?”
Recently, the No. 18 Cavaliers have done quite well. Their previous two games ended in a triumph over the then-No.8 team in the country — with a field storming to boot — and an upset road victory over an undefeated conference opponent. Both games went into overtime, and both wins have secured Virginia’s (5-1, 3-0) spot in the AP Top 25 and their rise in ACC standings.
Saturday’s upcoming contest against Washington State is a non-conference interlude, the last of the Cavaliers’ non-ACC games. This matchup has all the makings of a trap game, in what is set to be the first-ever meeting between these two programs. Despite their 3-3 record, Washington State is a team which seems to be finding its stride. After embarrassments at the hands of North Texas and Washington, they handily defeated Colorado State before nearly upsetting No. 4 Ole Miss on the road.
Overlooking the Cougars could be a temptation for a team with the third highest ACC championship odds. That being said, within the building, focus on the matchup ahead is the top priority. Aside from rest, the bye week provided an opportunity for the Cavaliers to rewire themselves for Saturday’s game.
“It’s game seven [of the season],” Elliott said. “But really, I need day one energy and day one focus.”
Elliott simply refuses to let his team underestimate the Cougars. Given both teams’ resumes to this point, this meeting should not be a close contest, and the odds reflect that expectation — Virginia is currently favored by more than two touchdowns. However, the internal standard this team sets for itself remains the same.
“They play extremely, extremely hard,” Elliott said. “We’re going to have to play a very physical brand of football this week … We can’t make mistakes.”
Part of Washington State’s turnaround is a change at signal-caller. Senior quarterback Zevi Eckhaus took over as the starter halfway through their first six games and has held onto the job ever since. In three starts, Eckhaus has thrown six touchdowns to only two interceptions, in addition to scoring twice as a rusher.
Virginia defensive coordinator John Rudzinski acknowledged the senior’s dynamic challenge to his unit during media availability and emphasized the need for unit-wide focus in combatting the Cougars’ emerging offense.
“We’ve got to play 11 [players] as one [team], play complimentary to each other,” Rudzinski said, “When guys are in a position to make plays, we’re gonna have to do a great job of tackling.”
Complimentary football is a focus for the Cavaliers. Graduate wide receiver Cam Ross spoke on how his role on special teams impacts the offense during media availability.
“I put a lot down on my shoulders just to be able to, you know, get a good return, so then the offense can be in good field position … and score,” Ross said.
Ross is second in the country in yards per kick return, as well as fourth in the ACC in total kick yards despite having only four attempts. He also has the sixth-most punt return yards in the ACC. The James Madison transfer will have ample opportunity to flip the field Saturday, as sophomore kickoff specialist and punter Ryan Harris averages a pedestrian 37.5 net punting average for the Cougars, with only five punts downed inside the 20 yard line.
Elliott has hammered the need for “belief” and buy-in from his players throughout his tenure in Charlottesville — different units playing as one and winning on the margins has become an essential part of the Cavaliers’ identity.
Conference matchup or not, ranked opponent or not, this team focused on defeating the Cougars this week and advancing to 6-1. Underneath Elliott, nothing less would be acceptable. In his mind, the present challenge, for this football team, cannot be sacrificed for an overemphasis on past triumphs or future mountains to climb.
“You start gazing up at the stars all day long,” Elliott said, “Then you don’t take care of what’s in front of you.”
What lies in front of these Cavaliers is a 6:30 p.m. Saturday kickoff with the Cougars under the lights at Scott Stadium.
Xander Tilock contributed reporting.
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