The Georgia Tech game was a perfect example of the potential of the 2011 Cavalier football team when all three phase of the game play at a solid, sustained level for four quarters. Saturday against NC State was a prime example of what can happen when one operation doesn’t carry its weight. Virginia’s defense and special teams did enough to win against NCSU – the offense, however, was AWOL resulting in the Hoos’ 28-14 loss to the Wolfpack.

The Hoos finished with season lows in rushing (124), passing (125), total offense (249), yards per play (3.7), points (14), third down conversion rate and first downs. Were it not for a 60-yard scoring pass in the third quarter the numbers would have been even more abysmal.

Quarterback play was dismal as completion percentage, QB rating and yards per attempt all marked the lowest output of the season and UVa’s worst passing performance since the Duke and Miami games back in 2009. The offensive line appeared baffled by a good mix of stunts and blitzes standard in NC State’s defense. The line play was marked by weak technique, missed assignments and no finish. There was far too much penetration to be effective in the run game and State’s defensive linemen consistently held their leverage and controlled the line of scrimmage.

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