Jimmy Laycock and his staff deserve a great deal of credit for a game plan that maximized his team’s strengths and minimized its weaknesses. From a defense that restricted Virginia’s ability to attack vertically and kept the underneath routes and running game in check, to a kicking plan that did not allow Ron Prince’s new systems to impact the game, to a safe offensive game plan that took advantage of every opportunity, the Tribe brain trust was simply better Saturday night.

Trend Report

What’s up?

Red Zone Defense. After a stellar season of RZ defense in 2007, Virginia concluded the 2008 campaign ranked 35th in the nation in percentage of scores (TD or FG) in the RZ by opposing offenses and 34th in percentage of TDs per RZ trips allowed. In a solid effort to open the 2009 season, Virginia held the Tribe to just three field goals and one touchdown, limiting the W&M offense to 16 of a possible 28 points (57%).

Getting the defense off the field. On a night when very little went right for the Cavaliers, with the exception of a seven-play, 81-yard first half drive, Virginia held the William & Mary offense in check. The Tribe had just two drives that exceeded 30 yards; of course, with all the turnovers they rarely had more than 30 yards to go to be in scoring territory though. But the defense did produce seven three-and-outs, out of 17 meaningful series (41%) and 11 of the drives concluded in 5 plays or less.

...