Against NC State, the Virginia receivers collectively totaled 155 yards. Against Norfolk State, they had 229 yards. Against West Virginia in the loss, 197.
In the first half against Delaware, Virginia (3-1, 1-0 ACC) receivers had 264 yards, and by the end, they had 437. That dominance in the air — at the conclusion of the first half, the Fightin’ Blue Hens (2-2, 0-0 CUSA) had 33 receiving yards — led the Cavaliers to victory in a bounceback 42-3 victory for the team, and a coming-out party for the receiving room.
“It was good to just see us, you know, go out and execute however the game required us to,” Coach Tony Elliott said. “That's what good football teams do.”
Part of that receiver success was brought on by the return to form of fifth-year quarterback Beau Pribula, who opened the game with 11 consecutive completed passes, wrapping up the first half 21-for-24 and finishing 24-for-28. He has had this level of accuracy previously, but the expanded sample size against Delaware may point to an increasing comfort in commanding the Virginia offense.
His replacements also performed solidly, especially fourth-year quarterback Eli Holstein, who went 8-for-12 with over 100 passing yards and a touchdown.
While the Virginia defense was nothing to complain about — most notably in the form of two second-half interceptions from third-year Keke Adams — the star of the show was an expanded place in the game for the Virginia receivers.
Before the game Saturday, no Cavalier receiver had 100 total yards on the season. Fourth-year wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. had more than that amount Saturday, leading the team. Flores Jr., wears No. 1, a number with special significance on the day of the U.Va. Strong Game, as the number was previously worn by Lavel Davis Jr.
Flores Jr. only had one reception before the game against Delaware — admittedly, a highlight-reel catch that kept the Cavaliers in contention against West Virginia — but he made a statement on the field against the Fightin’ Blue Hens defense, notching nine receptions for 113 yards.
“It was good to get Rico out there,” Elliott said. “I think that’s what we thought — that he could provide for us offensively … It’s good to get him going, so that was very positive to see.”
“[Flores Jr.]’s just a savvy guy,” Pribula said. “A reliable guy, and he knows how to play the game of football. When you have experience like that, I think it helps the whole room.”
Flores Jr. notched his first receiving touchdown of the season in the opening play of the second quarter, following that with a point to his number and up to the sky. He caught passes short and long alike, including a key reception late in the second quarter that set up Pribula’s fourth passing touchdown of the game.
The player that caught that touchdown was third-year wide receiver Kameron Courtney. Although he only had four receptions, he certainly did the most with them.
The first was a short pass, but was taken 52 yards to the house in a statement score that put the Cavaliers up by three possessions. The second was the aforementioned 19-yard, waning-seconds touchdown pass that pushed Virginia even further ahead.
“I told the guys in the locker room that there’s probably nobody on offense that has me on him more than Kam Courtney,” Elliott said. “I think he’s got a ton of potential, a ton of upside.”
Third-year wide receiver Da’Shawn Martin, who only had a single reception in each of the previous three games, also got in on the fun, catching the first touchdown of the game and notching a respectable 26 yards overall.
After the score reached 35-3 and Pribula was substituted out of the game, the backup receivers had their time to shine. As rain showered upon an ever-dwindling crowd at Scott Stadium, second-year wide receiver Isaiah Robinson brought in a reception. Even seventh-year tight end Lukas Ungar, who had yet to record any receptions before Saturday, caught 2 passes for 15 yards.
Early in the fourth quarter, though, Holstein uncorked a pass that went for 74 yards, by far the longest pass of the game. The receiver was second-year wide receiver Josiah Abdullah, who before Saturday had no receptions this season, and only nine last year.
“[I’m] really, really proud of the football team for showing up and doing everything that they possibly could to do their part to create a great day for them,” Coach Tony Elliott said.
The Cavaliers will look to build on their unlocked passing capability as they next take on Florida State in Tallahassee, Fl. Saturday. The matchup will kickoff at 3:30 p.m., and will be televised on either ESPN2 or ACC Network.
Drew Dillman is a staff writer and X account manager on the sports desk. He is a fourth-year College student, majoring in history. Drew is from North Little Rock, Ark., and he enjoys writing game recaps. Outside of The Cavalier Daily, Drew is president of Shakespeare on the Lawn, a classical theater group at the University.
Read More
Rice secures NCAA singles bid as Cavaliers show promise in ITA All-Americans
By Margaret Piatos and Noah Cinel | YesterdayContinuing their early-season prowess, the Cavaliers put on a strong showing in Tulsa, Okla. with multiple deep tournament runs against top competition.
Virginia starts ACC play 1-1, dropping match to Georgia Tech in straight sets
By Cierra Lyles | YesterdayOn Sunday afternoon, the Cavaliers were taken down in three straight sets by the Yellow Jackets (10-3, 2-0 ACC), losing the first and second sets 25-19, and the third set 25-16.
HUFFMAN: The Protect College Sports Act covers too much ground
By Emory Huffman | 2 days agoThough the bill is undoubtedly ambitious and the status quo is unsustainable, the Protect College Sports Act is not the answer.
