After losing three games by more than 25 points earlier this season, the Virginia football team has put together a remarkable turnaround in the last four weeks. UVa has won four straight games and ascended to the top of the ACC’s Coastal Division standings. Without question, one key to the Cavaliers’ resurgence has been the improvement on offense.

Before three kneel-downs to end Saturday’s 24-17 win against Georgia Tech, Virginia’s offense had produced more than 400 yards for the third time in four games. The final line reads 396 total yards. How does that compare to last season’s 9-win campaign, which featured a seven-game winning streak? Last year’s team surpassed 400 yards of total offense just twice all season long. Those two games (439 at Maryland and 418 at Miami) book-ended a four-game stretch similar to this recent run offensively because the Cavaliers had 369 total yards in a loss at N.C. State. In other words, three games with at least 350 yards in a four-game stretch.

But when was is last time the Hoos’ offense produced 395 or more total yards at least three times in a four-game stretch like the past four weeks? 2004. UVa started that season with five straight games with at least 400 yards of total offense – Temple (504), UNC (549), Akron (522), Syracuse (427), and Clemson (464).

Certainly, one critical component of the offensive turn-around of late has been the improved play of the offensive line. After not being able to run the ball effectively early this season, UVa has started to produce on the ground as of late. In fact, during the 1-3 start to the season, the team cracked 100 yards rushing just once (110 yards at Duke). Since, the rushing game has surpassed 100 yards three times (201 vs. Maryland, 202 vs. East Carolina, and 126 vs. Georgia Tech). Certainly Cedric Peerman gets and deserves credit for part of the improvement, but as has been said many times, a running back is only as good as his line.

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