The state of absolute zero has not yet been observed in lab conditions. However, it has become possible elsewhere — physicists could simply turn the channel to ACC Network for some Virginia football. If they stick around until the end of the game, they will get to witness the laws of physics nearing their breaking point. Watch what Nos. 5 and 10 on defense do in the closing minutes — the blood of junior linebacker Kam Robinson and junior defensive back Ja’Son Prevard runs ice cold.
Robinson’s season is over after having only played eight games. He suffered a torn ACL in a victory against Duke, but in those appearances he and Prevard cemented themselves as premier clutch players in college football. Offenses need movement, they need rhythm, they need to “warm up” — this duo has frozen opponents solid, with energy drained, forced to watch as time expires on another Virginia victory. Defensive coordinator John Rudzinski spoke more to the playmaking ability and behind-the-scenes dedication of Robinson, in particular.
“Kam does what Kam does. He goes and makes plays,” Rudzinski said. “That’s what good players do … they do their job … He’s really focused and he’s really intense with regards to preparation, which ends up resulting in good performances on Saturday.”
Both these juniors have more than done their job. Robinson is the only FBS player in the last 20 years with a punt block, pick six and fumble recovery in one season. He is second on the team in total tackles and in interceptions — and it is important to note he missed the first three games.
Prevard, meanwhile, has allowed the eighth-lowest passer rating when targeted in the country, while also leading the team in interceptions. Their shared knack for big moments has grown the bond between the two and also fostered a certain competitiveness — the pair challenges each other every week to make game-changing plays.
“We compete with each other every week … we’re good friends,” Robinson said. “Going to the game, we'll just compete with each other, asking each other, like, ‘Who gonna make that play? Who will make it first?’”
Prevard made the first clutch play of the season between the pair in an overtime endzone interception — his second pick of the day — to cap a magical victory over then-No. 8 Florida State. The next week against Louisville, Robinson responded by snagging a pick of his own and taking it back for a tie-breaking touchdown.
At home versus Washington State, the week after the bye, Prevard looked to be pulling ahead of his teammate, securing an underthrown ball in Cougar territory to set up a game-tying field goal. Staying true to his Atlantic City roots, the junior took a risk and rolled the dice based on what he had observed about the offense.
“They kept trying to high-low us all night,” Prevard said post-game. “So I made it … like I was the one playing the flat and then I backed up when he threw it.”
Robinson swiftly caught up. Taking advantage of an excellent kickoff that left the Cougars pinned, the linebacker forced a two-point, game-winning safety to clinch bowl eligibility for the Cavaliers.
The pair’s back-and-forth did not end there, however — Prevard notched a game-winner of his own the very next week, with a stretching goal-line tackle to prevent a North Carolina two-point conversion in overtime. Robinson answered right back with a game-sealing pick six to put away California.
Coach Tony Elliott has hammered the mantra of “game of inches” throughout the season, and for good reason — especially in the thick of ACC play, the pressure is intense. From Sept. 26 to Nov. 1, the Cavaliers won five games by an average of fewer than five points per contest. All five of these close wins could not have happened without one or both of Robinson and Prevard. When this duo lowers the temperature, the narrow path to victory, like a crack in unwinterized piping, bursts wide open. Their teammates can attest to these two playing a central role to Virginia’s 9-2 record.
“They're great players, obviously. And creating turnovers is huge,” graduate defensive end Daniel Rickert said, “You win the turnover margin … you get a chance to win the football game. So it's been great having those guys on defense.”
Virginia will need Prevard’s knack for big plays now more than ever with his running mate in the clutch’s season cut short — the defensive back, like Robinson, has already proven himself as a player who matters when it matters most. Alongside Prevard, yet another junior, in linebacker Landon Danley, will move to fill the void left by Robinson.
Danley has led the team in tackles twice this season, with the second instance coming in his fill-in for Robinson following the star’s injury against the Blue Devils. Elliott expressed faith in his growth since the beginning of the season.
“There's a lot of eye discipline that it takes and you've seen the maturity and the growth from that standpoint,” Elliott said, “Excited about him and his opportunity to have a bigger role.”
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