Written By: Nathan Skinner
Canes Rising Contributor
Name: The University of Virginia
Mascot: Cavaliers
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Home Stadium: Scott Stadium(Capacity: 61,500)
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
Athletic Director: Craig Littlepage
Head Coach: Mike London
Time Capsule
Virginia came into the 2014 season as a lightly regarded program that had regressed under embattled coach Mike London. The Cavaliers started the season strong, losing a hotly contested game to UCLA, and upsetting Louisville. UVA raced out to a 4-2 record, but it's been all downhill since then, as the Hoos have lost their last 4. London is likely finished in Charlottesville, but he is a fighter and his team will be salty and desperate to save their leader.
What To Expect
Offense
Virginia doesn't do anything well offensively. They are ranked 54th is passing yards, 92nd in rushing yards, and 86th in scoring. It's obvious to anyone with two working eyes that this offense is limited, and it has been for most of the London era. The Hoos tried to be an uptempo spread option attack, and that was a complete train wreck. This season, UVA has gone to a more conventional offense, but the results have been the same. Quarterback Greyson Lambert is the trigger man, and he's struggled this season. Lambert is completing 60% of his passes, but he has more interceptions(9), than touchdowns(8). The run game has been slightly better with Kevin Parks leading the charge. Parks is a solid player who has been forced to carry the load, knowing full well that he will take a beating. The senior tailback has rushed for 669 yards this season, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He's also a threat in the passing game, with 28 receptions. Parks is the most dangerous weapon in the Hoos arsenal, and must be stopped. If Parks is stopped, Greyson will be forced to pass, and that's not something offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild wants to do. The wide receiver corps for the Cavaliers isn't overly impressive, but there's some talent. The leader of the corps is Cannan Severin, a large receiver that uses his big body to create space in traffic. Severin leads UVA in receptions and touchdowns. Darrius Jennings is the big play threat, averaging over 19 yards per reception. Zachary Swanson has 10 catches on the season, illustrating the inability of the Cavs to get their tight ends involved in the passing game. The offensive line has been mediocre of late, after having a strong start to the season.
Defense
Defensive Coordinator Jon Tenuta has re-energized what was once a horrible unit. Tenuta's aggressive style has been a headache for opposing offenses, as Virginia has become one of the better defensive units in the ACC. The defense is led by Quin Blanding, the team leader in tackles. Blanding is a freshman safety that is extremely active, and will be used in a variety of ways. Quin will be the 8th man in the box, he will be used as a linebacker at times, he will even be used in a multitude of blitzes. He isn't alone in the UVA secondary, Anthony Harris has been a tackling machine as well. The fact that the two top tacklers are members of the secondary shouldn't worry fans, as Tenuta's defense is a secondary dependent one, where safeties are allowed to roam, and make plays all over the field. Blanding and Harris aren't the only Cavaliers causing havoc, as Eli Harold has become a good pass rusher from the defensive end position. Harold, a junior from Virginia Beach, has 7 sacks on the season, second most on the team. The team's leading quarterback killer is middle linebacker Henry Coley who has 8 quarterback sacks. This young man has been a bellwether for the Hoos, earning three varsity letters. Coley is a team captain, and was named to the Lott Impact Award watch list this season. Max Valles may not have accumulated big numbers, but he is a player that should be accounted for. Valles is a tall, lanky outside linebacker that can rush the passer, as evidenced by his 5 sacks.
Special Teams
Ian Frye has had an outstanding season, connecting on 85% of field goal attempts, with a long of 47 yards. He's been very good on attempts of 20-49 yards, connecting on 17 of 18 tries. The punter, Alec Vozenilek has been just as good, averaging over 42 yards per punt, and trapping opponents inside the twenty yard line 20% of the time. Dylan Sims is the kickoff specialist, his strong leg leads to touchbacks on over 50% of kickoffs.
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