For a team on the brink of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2011, the Virginia football program laid a big egg in Scott Stadium last Saturday.
The fact that Virginia’s offense couldn’t quite get rhythm going was disappointing but not necessarily surprising. The play of Virginia’s defense, however, was a surprise considering how the unit had performed up until that point. The Eagles amassed 512 yards of offense and 34 points (the defense scored a TD as well) in the 41-10 victory.
Given the recent history of this program, it’s understandable if some fans are in worry mode. Starting cornerback Juan Thornhill being listed as doubtful on the Cavalier injury report certainly does not help ease concerns. Virginia’s defense is thin as it is, and Thornhill is one of the team’s best players.
The good news is that UVA is still 5-2 overall (2-1 in the ACC, 2-0 on the road) and will take on an average Pittsburgh squad this Saturday. The Panthers defeated Duke last week, 24-17. However, the Panthers are just 3-5 overall, and its other wins were against Youngstown State and Rice.
Pitt running back Darrin Hall broke out in a big way against the Blue Devils, rushing for 254 yards and three scores against the Blue Devils. Virginia will face either Ben DiNucci or Kenny Pickett at quarterback. DiNucci is only completing 54.8% of his passes for 761 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Pickett, a freshman, is only 6-of-14 passing for 74 yards.
Overall the Panthers rank no. 92 in the country in total offense, hardly an imposing figure. Then again, Boston College’s offense wasn’t ranked highly before decimating UVA last week. Defensively, Pitt is ranked no. 103 in the nation.
Pitt is definitely beatable, but which Virginia team will show up? Will this Virginia team react positively or negatively to being humiliated last week? The Hoos’ mental state could well be the difference in this one.
Virginia Football Essentials
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- Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game Time: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, 12:30 p.m.
- TV Info: RSN | Affiliates
- Radio Info: WINA 1070AM | Other affiliates | Satellite Radio – Sirius 108, XM 93
- Live Game Tracker Stats
- Heinz Field Information
- Tailgating Info and Policies
- Parking Information
Three Big Trends
1. Surrendering big plays. Virginia’s defense allowed UNC’s Michael Carter runs of 56 and 47 yards. Boston College gashed the Cavalier defense with plays of 28, 29, 46, 76 and 76 yards. The once stout Virginia D is going the wrong direction with respect to allowing big plays.
2. Decline of the Cavalier passing game. Virginia’s rushing attack performed well in four straight games before BC. Down 24-0, Jordan Ellis and company weren’t afforded much opportunity to get going. Virginia’s passing game has struggled to find a rhythm for three consecutive weeks. Benkert passed for only 182 yards against Duke and 152 yards against BC, and if not for an 80-yard pass to Olamide Zaccheaus (OZ took a 4-yard pass and took it to the house) the Hoos would likely have had under 200 yards passing against UNC. In that 3-game span, Benkert has completed only 53.4% of his passes.
3. Andre Levrone factoring out of the UVA offense. The athletically gifted senior had consecutive 100-yard receiving performances in blowout wins over UConn and Boise State. He has only three catches for 38 yards in total in the past three outings, including one catch for nine yards the past two weeks.
Three Big Questions
1. Can Virginia’s defense find itself? The defense has sprung some leaks the past few weeks, especially against Boston College. Although Virginia did well against the running backs, the Eagles essentially did whatever they wanted in every other phase. Virginia’s defense getting back on track is essential to a Cavalier team with an inconsistent offense. Injuries are becoming a concern with this thin group, but whoever is playing will have to step up.
2. Is Pitt’s pass defense — more specifically, it’s lack of pass rush — what Benkert needs to find a rhythm? Bronco Mendenhall said it was fair to say a banged up Benkert had some “happy feet” as last season went along. Is Virginia’s quarterback on a similar trend this year? Perhaps. He has not seemed sharp the past several weeks. Fortunately, Pitt ranks no. 108 in the nation in sacks. If the Virginia offensive line can do its job, Benkert should have time to operate.
3. Is Darrin Hall for real? The 5’11”, 220-pound junior had not had much success before the Duke win last week, when he rushed 24 times for 254 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those carries went for 171 yards while the other 22 went for 83 (3.77 YPC). Time will tell if Hall is a one-week wonder or if he jumpstarted his career against the Blue Devils. Either way, he’s certainly worth watching against UVA. The big play ability may be more of a concern to a Virginia team that has surrendered five plays of 40 yards or more in the past two games.
Three Big Foes
1. Running Back Darrin Hall. Hall carried the Panthers to victory over Duke. He is now very much on Virginia’s radar heading into Saturday.
2. Safety Jordan Whitehead. The junior missed Pitt’s first three games of the 2017 season due to suspension. He had 7 solo tackles and 1 fumble recovery in his first game back against Georgia Tech. In five games total, he has amassed 35 tackles (23 solo) with three pass breakups, one interception, and one fumble recovery. Whitehead has seen time on offense in all five games as well, including a 73-yard rushing performance against Syracuse. His 59-yard interception return against Virginia last season gave Pitt a 35-28 lead over the Cavaliers heading into halftime. Pitt went on to claim a 45-31 victory in Charlottesville.
3. Returner/Receiver Quadree Henderson. Virginia knows Henderson’s return prowess all too well, as he had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Hoos last season. The All-American returner has not returned a kickoff for a score this year, but he did have an 80-yard punt return touchdown against Georgia Tech. Henderson will be one to watch on special teams for sure, but look for the Panthers to utilize him as a rusher and receiver as well.
Hey Remember When …
UVA defeated Larry Fitzgerald and the Pittsburgh Panthers, 23-16, in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl.
