In 2014, Virginia’s defense finished among the top teams at the Football Bowl Subdivision level in a number of categories. That included be in the top quarter of teams in total defense (29th nationally), sacks (31st), passes broken up (fifth), and passes defended (seventh).

The defense hung its collective hat on two key tenets, though: forcing turnovers and stopping the run. The 2014 Cavaliers logged 29 take-aways, which tied for 17th nationally. That included 14 fumble recoveries and 15 interceptions. That helped the team score 109 points off of those turnovers. The D held opponents to 120.67 rushing yards per game, which ranked 18th in the country.

This season, that foundation of Jon Tenuta’s scheme has crumbled. The Hoos have zero take-aways through three games and they have allowed 183.33 rushing yards per game, which is ranked 86th nationally. UVa coach Mike London said the team needs to create some turnovers in order to create more opportunities for wins.

“Last season we had a couple scores already by now. Ball bounces the right way into a guy’s hands and we score. We have to do that,” London said. “We have to be in the plus category of turnovers in order to give us opportunities to win games. That’s a concern. Whenever you have an opportunity to make an interception, PBUs are good, pass breakups are good, but if you get your hands on the ball, you want the interceptions. They put the ball on the ground twice and they recovered it. We weren’t around there. We need to be very cognizant of turnovers and the things that we have to do defensively in order to get them or cause them.”

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