The future is approaching fast, but the Cavaliers’ greatest season ever deserves a more retrospective look. Two beat writers examine lingering questions from this historic year.
A season of firsts ended fittingly — with a stressful, gritty win and a trophy in hand.
“We’re so grateful to have this opportunity,” Elliott said. “This program has been working hard over the last several years to get to the postseason and we’re so excited to be in Jacksonville.”
“It was almost like a home game. People were constantly yelling ‘Go Hoos’ and chanting while walking down the street and waiting to get into the stadium,” second-year College student Landen Barth said.
The Cavaliers are set to go fish in the portal pond again to replace outgoing stars. But who should they target?
Wood was there, and he was ready. He’s always been ready.
“I feel like we missed and made mistakes that they capitalized on,” graduate linebacker James Jackson said. “It’s hard to win games when you make mistakes a lot.”
Self-inflicted errors pained the Cavaliers all night.
"Doesn't matter who we're playing, and we're prepared to win a one-score game in the fourth quarter.”
Elliott, who captained Virginia to the best regular season ACC record this year, has his Cavaliers set to play in the ACC Championship for the second time in program history.
“Kids growing up in Virginia want to root for winners, and the Hoos will prove that they are the face of the state.”
“I didn’t come all the way to Virginia as a Texas boy to win five, six games. I want to win the conference championship.”
“There is nobody on our roster that is more competitive than Antonio Clary,” Elliott said.
“This is a great opportunity for the University of Virginia and our football program,” Athletic Director Carla Williams said.
“[Marcellus’ performance] just shows the type of young men that we have in that locker room,” Elliott said.
