Entering the conference portion of the 2015 season the Cavaliers’ offense has been excellent, dismal and all points between.
The 2014 rendition of the Cavalier defense was one of the best in the ACC in almost every category. But fast forward to 2015, and the Virginia defense cannot be trusted to stop the run against FCS opponent William & Mary, much less carry the team.
How can senior wide receiver Canaan Severin average 13 yards a reception and 74.5 receiving yards a game, yet the Cavaliers have gone 1-3, with the latest game against Boise State ending in a trouncing of 56-14?
While I commend Berman for his desire to solve the major embarrassment that is the weekly migration of students before the final whistle, I submit that charging for tickets would only thin out the student section more. The real solution lies in changing the culture that surrounds Virginia football.
Sitting at 1-3, Virginia needs to go 5-3 in conference play to reach bowl eligibility — the presumed requirement for London to earn a seventh year at the helm of the program.
The Cavaliers’ out-of-conference slate proved tough as advertised, and losses to top-10 programs UCLA and Notre Dame as well as the preseason-ranked Broncos (3-1) leave a tough road to bowl eligibility for Virginia (1-3).
Friday night, the Cavaliers will go up against a team ranked inside the preseason AP Top 25 for the third time this season, taking on Boise State (2-1) for the first time in program history.
Now three games into the season, the Cavaliers (1-2) remain without solutions in the team’s defensive deficiencies. The defense needs to stiffen up for the team to put W’s in the column.
After facing two consecutive top-15 opponents in UCLA and Notre Dame, Saturday’s contest against William & Mary was supposed to be easy.
Fourth-year Engineering student Mike Bunting was one of nearly 60,000 fans at Scott Stadium Saturday, when the Virginia football team suffered a last-minute defeat against FBS powerhouse Notre Dame.
“[William & Mary] will be well‑coached, excited about this opportunity,” Virginia coach Mike London said. “They won't be intimidated coming up and playing in Charlottesville.”
Upon the graduation of former Cavalier running back Kevin Parks and the dawn of the 2015 Virginia football season, junior running back Taquan Mizzell was named the starter for the Cavaliers.
No. 9 Notre Dame dashed the Cavaliers hopes with a go-ahead touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in yet another moral victory game for Virginia.
The Cavaliers had a chance to shock the world Saturday, squaring off against ninth-ranked Notre Dame squad – a team that completely dismantled Texas to the tune of 38-3 a week ago.
Virginia football opens the gates of Scott Stadium for its 85th season of football at the venue when the Cavaliers (0-1) welcome No. 9 Notre Dame Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
One of the most frustrating things as a Virginia football fan in recent years has been quarterback inconsistency. The turnover at the position, even within games, has been mind-boggling.
It would be a mistake to continue to rely on the NFL, whose bottom line is affected by the number of talented players that it can attract, to properly raise awareness or set standards when it comes to player safety.
Although there were a variety of places where the Cavaliers struggled in their season opener, there were also several positive takeaways.
There was a reason UCLA was a 19.5 point favorite against Virginia Saturday. From junior linebacker Myles Jack to junior running back Paul Perkins, the Bruins boast some of the Pac-12’s, and arguably the nation’s, top players.
No. 13 UCLA rolled past Virginia, 34-16, Saturday afternoon in Pasadena, California. Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen shined in his collegiate debut for the Bruins (1-0). Rosen completed 28 of his 35 passing attempts for 351 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
