Three-List Game Preview – Virginia Football Vs. Connecticut

Here is hoping Jordan Ellis and the Virginia rushing game can get going against Connecticut on Saturday. ~ Photo by Kris Wright

The University of Virginia football program enters Saturday’s home contest versus Connecticut with a sour taste, thanks to subpar play from the offense and special teams units in a 34-17 home loss to Indiana.

UConn is the third game of a 3-game home stand Virginia has to start the season, so it’s certainly important as UVA hits the road for a challenging contest at Boise State next Friday. Virginia looked solid but not spectacular in a home opening win over William & Mary before last week’s loss to the Hoosiers.

Meanwhile, UConn, with Randy Edsall back in the fold as head coach, had to rally from a 13-point deficit to defeat Holy Cross in its season opener. Last week’s game at South Florida was postponed due to Hurricane Irma, leaving the Huskies with an extra week to sharpen up for the Hoos.

The play of Virginia’s offense and special teams against Indiana leads one to wonder how they’ll look this week. However, the Cavalier defense, led by usual suspects Micah Kiser and Quin Blanding as well as emerging players including Juan Thornhill and Jordan Mack, has performed solidly in two outings and has the potential to be a very good unit throughout the season. Virginia enters the UConn game with the 27th-ranked defensive unit in the nation, allowing only 274 yards per game.

Connecticut escaped last year’s contest against Virginia with a 13-10 win. The Cavaliers captured a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter of last year’s contest in Storrs, but UConn scored 13 straight — including 10 in the second half — to capture the win. Alex Furbank’s 20-yard field goal attempt as time expired missed, giving UConn the win. It’s quite possible that we’re in for another low-scoring affair this year.

Virginia Football Essentials

Three Big Trends

1.First down yardage (or lack thereof).
Greg Waters’ detailed breakdown post-Indiana revealed that Virginia’s offense is struggling mightily on first downs (2.41 yards per rush and 4.5 yards per pass on first down). As a result, the Hoos are left with lengthy 2nd and 3rd downs. UConn was stout in 3rd-and-long defense all of last season and again against Holy Cross (1-for-11), meaning ineffective play on 1st down likely will result in another day of struggles for Robert Anae’s offensive group.

2.Virginia’s effective run defense.
William & Mary’s running backs averaged only 3.46 yards per carry. Indiana’s averaged only 2.69 yards per carry. Connecticut redshirt freshman Nate Hopkins rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns against Holy Cross, but if the trend continues he likely won’t find much room to run in Scott Stadium. If Virginia can tighten the bolts in scramble situations, Micah Kiser and company should be able to force a questionable UConn passing game to beat them.

3.The turnover-free Hoos.
While there have been some very close calls, Virginia has yet to commit a turnover so far in 2017. Taking care of the football is paramount for a team with little room for error. In last year’s matchup, for example, Virginia led 10-3 when a Benkert interception at the Cavalier 25 helped set up UConn’s only touchdown of the game.

Three Big Questions

1.Can Virginia find a rushing attack?
If the Indiana game is any indication, dink-and-dunk passes won’t be a suitable substitute for the run game. The offensive line, which was credited with improved pass protection against the Hoosiers, has to open some holes for Jordan Ellis, Daniel Hamm and company. A productive run-game will take pressure off Benkert and could be the key to this Cavalier offense finding it’s rhythm in 2017.

2. Which special teams unit will step up?
Both teams feature first-year starters at placekicker and punter. UConn field goal kicker Michael Tarbutt missed an extra point against Holy Cross. Meanwhile, UVA kicker A.J. Mejia rebounded from a tough first game (missed field, nearly missed extra point) to connect on a 22-yard field goal and two extra points against Indiana. Punters Lester Coleman (UVA) and Brett Graham (UConn) will play important roles as well on Saturday. Virginia’s coverage units tired against Indiana, resulting in a late punt return for a touchdown that sealed the Cavaliers’ fate. Mendenhall said he would address special teams more this week in an effort to find the consistent production he is seeking.

3.Can Virginia begin to build depth on defense?
Perhaps not an immediate concern this early in the season, but the Cavalier defense needs to develop some depth, not just for this season but also looking ahead to 2018, when the Hoos lose Kiser, Blanding, and Andrew Brown. Virginia’s defense has been a bright spot so far this season. The starters need to log most of the minutes in hopes of getting a “W” against UConn, but hopefully some of the backups can get some important minutes as well to gain experience that will help down the road.

Three Big Foes

1.Senior cornerback Jamar Summers
Summers is a versatile defensive back, able to play corner or safety, and one of Connecticut’s top players. He led the team with 11 tackles (8 solo) and had three pass breakups in the win over Holy Cross. Summers was a thorn in Virginia’s side last season as well, racking up five tackles with one pass breakup and the one crucial interception. UConn jumped Virginia’s routes last year, and if UVA is predictable again the pass game, Summers is one who can take advantage.

Also keep an eye on senior linebacker Vontae Diggs, who is expected to make his 2017 debut against Virginia. Diggs was second on the team in tackles last year and is a leader on this Huskies defense.

2. Redshirt senior quarterback Bryant Shirreffs
Shirreffs was UConn’s starter for most of 2015 and the first nine games of 2016 before being benched. Junior college transfer David Pindell got the nod as UConn’s starter in the season opener against Holy Cross. It was Shirreffs, though, who completed 9-of-13 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown while leading the Huskies to a come-from-behind win over Holy Cross. So there have been some good and bad moments from the redshirt senior.

UVA defended Shirreffs effectively last season, holding him to 154 yards passing and an interception and 33 yards rushing on 20 carries. The Cavaliers will look for a similar effort this time around.

3.Redshirt Freshman Punter Brett Graham
Making his collegiate debut, Graham averaged 40.5 yards per punt in six tries against Holy Cross. If the offenses struggle, the punting of both Graham and UVA’s Lester Coleman will be important for field position purposes.