Excitement filled Scott Stadium with about one minute to play last weekend, as students lined up to rush the field and celebrate a win against Louisville to match last season’s two-game win total.
It was the lead up, more than the moment itself, which was so unusual.
Then-No. 21 Louisville (2-1, 1-1 ACC) erased Virginia’s (2-1, 1-0 ACC) 20-7 fourth-quarter lead thanks to a pair of touchdown drives kept alive by Cavalier penalties. Virginia, trailing 21-20, had to punt shortly after getting the ball back. But as Louisville sophomore wide receiver James Quick settled under the punt, he was bumped by a teammate, forcing the ball loose and compelling a Virginia possession which would result in the game-winning field goal.
The win against the ACC newcomer broke Virginia’s 11-game ACC losing streak and served as an emotional triumph for the entire team.
“We’re all affected by the psychology of the results that happen on the field, in the classroom — anywhere,” coach Mike London said. “When you can play a team that’s ranked and hold your own — and then come out and win — then, obviously, your whole attitude, the persona, how you see yourself [and] how others perceive you improves.”
Up next on Virginia’s schedule is new No. 21 ranked team Brigham Young (3-0). Unlike the Cavaliers’ first three games, however, this one will be on the road — in Provo, Utah, a home field where BYU has found considerable success, going 5-1 last year.
Virginia and BYU met in Charlottesville in the season-opener last year, resulting in a thrilling 19-16 Cavalier win. Senior strong safety Anthony Harris and senior running back Kevin Parks starred for Virginia. Harris blocked a punt before picking off BYU quarterback Taysom Hill in the final two minutes to set up Parks’ go-ahead touchdown run.
This season, Virginia’s defense has looked dominant, creating 13 takeaways through just three games — the most in the FBS. But the unit will need considerable preparation for BYU’s fast-paced offense this week. Players believe seeing the BYU offense in-person last season will help defensive coordinator John Tenuta form his game plan.
“We’ve had people that played against them last year, so we all know what the tempo is like and we all know what to expect,” junior defensive tackle David Dean said. “I mean, obviously we’re not going to be ready for it the first drive — you’re going to have to still make your adjustments per drive — but I think overall we kind of know what to expect with what’s going to go on throughout the whole game.”
BYU’s offense averages more than 36 points per game, hanging 35 points on Connecticut and 41 against Texas during a trip to Austin. The unit features junior quarterback Taysom Hill and junior running back Jamaal Williams, both of whom are familiar with the Cavaliers.
Last season in Charlottesville, Hill, a multi-dimensional quarterback, threw for one touchdown and ran for another. Williams led all rushers with 144 yards on the ground, out-gaining Virginia’s entire offense, which rushed for 109 yards.
In a win against Houston last week, Williams rushed for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Hill threw for 200 yards, one score and two interceptions, while also gaining 160 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Hill also threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more against the Huskies. He also rushed for three touchdowns against the Longhorns.
“He definitely looks a lot more comfortable, and one thing that hasn’t changed is he’s still a playmaker with his feet,” Dean said. “We really have to keep him contained in the pocket and not allow him to have rushing lanes and kind of take away his running game. And if we do that and make him throw the ball, I think we could be a lot more successful than the past two defenses that played him.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST Saturday, Sept. 20 in Provo, Utah.
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