A 6-7 campaign that included a postseason berth for the first time since 2013 was a huge step for a Virginia football program in just its second year under new head coach Bronco Mendenhall, especially given the fact that the Cavaliers went 2-10 in its first year under the former BYU coach.
Although the 2017 season was a positive, then-junior outside linebacker Chris Peace was not pleased with the way his team concluded the year – with a 49-7 loss to Navy in the 2017 Military Bowl.
“I don’t feel like all 22 players, offense/defense, came with the right mindset. Consistent enough,” Peace told the press following the Navy game. “You want to go out there from the beginning, from the jump, with the right mindset. This is one thing I’ll emphasize this offseason, for sure.”
“Toughness and grit,” Peace said last December 28, were two specific traits he wants to see the team demonstrate throughout the 2018 campaign.
Following the Navy game, defensive back Juan Thornhill acknowledged the 2017 season was “a big improvement from last year,” but he was not pleased with the fact that the Cavaliers dropped six of their final seven games.
“I feel like this was an opportunity just to get better, but I don’t want to say it’s a good season cause it’s a lot more in the tank and we have a lot more things to work on,” Thornhill said. “It’s acceptable, but we have a lot of things to work on.”
The next step for the program, Thornhill said last December, is “simply just learning how to finish. That’s all it is … just learn how to finish.”
Virginia raced out to a 5-1 start in 2017. Beginning with a blowout loss at home to Boston College in Week 7, the Hoos lost six of the final seven games by an average of 22 points per game. A come-from-behind victory over Georgia Tech in Scott Stadium was the only win, but it was good enough to earn a postseason bid.
Now halfway through the 2018 season, Virginia football once again is well-positioned, boasting a 4-2 overall record that includes a 2-1 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. UVA’s win over then-No. 16 Miami is its first victory over a ranked opponent since 2014.
Against the Hurricanes, the Hoos showed the “toughness and grit” Peace was looking for, holding a typically opportunistic Miami offense to just three points off of three Virginia turnovers in the game’s first quarter-and-a-half. Miami scored only 13 points in the game.
The second half of Virginia’s 2018 season begins tomorrow, with a conference road game against a solid Duke team that sits at 5-1, including 1-1 in the ACC. Thornhill and Peace, two of the leaders of the Cavalier defense, remember what happened last year and are primed to avoid a repeat.
“Gotta come with the same mentality [they had against Miami],” Thornhill said following the Miami win. “We have to play as we’re capable of playing every single time.”
On Monday (October 15), Peace said: “You just have to make sure you stay humble. Stay grounded. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I think that’s one thing we did last year, starting 5-1, we felt like we arrived. This week, for sure, that will be a big emphasis. We’re still 4-2, still got six more games to go. That’s something I’m probably going to repeat a million times this week.”
For junior cornerback Bryce Hall, the performance against Miami “just breeds confidence and knowing we’re capable of it.”
Like Thornhill and Peace, Hall also stressed that the team needs to stay mentally strong to finish this 2018 season out the way they want.
“I think it’s important that you don’t take the days for granted during the week. Don’t take practices for granted,” Hall said. “I think it’s so important that you really try and maximize every single day and opportunity that you have on the field. You can’t take anybody lightly. Anybody can beat anybody. We have to have the mindset that we’re not going to take any team lightly. Every game is a must-win game, and we have to treat it that way. If we do that it gives us a great chance to succeed.”
More From Juan Thornhill
Thornhill, the reigning National Defensive Player of the Week for his 2-interception performance against Miami, discussed several more topics last Saturday …
The Strong Will Of This Cavalier Defense
“Honestly, our mentality has changed big-time,” Thornhill said. “Last year, if someone was to score everyone would put their head down. This year, it’s so much different. They score, we’re ready to go. It’s no holds back. If it’s a turnover, we’re out there, we’re ready to go. We’re just playing football, having fun this year.”
Next Man Up
Injuries have impacted the inside linebacker and defensive line positions, but the Cavalier defense has responded.
“We always say, ‘You never know when your time is going to get called,’” Thornhill said. “We have guys that can step in and make plays. It’s always good when you have younger guys who can step in and make the same exact plays and play just as hard as the starter.”
Leading The Younger Players
As a senior, Thornhill has taken it upon himself to be more vocal in practice and in games.
“If they make a mistake in practice, I’m just out there saying, ‘Keep your head up,’ and telling them just what they have to do to correct it,” Thornhill said. “That’s all I do and they respond very well.”
Miami A Springboard For The Offensive Line?
For Virginia to achieve greater things, the offensive line must come through the way they did against a top-flight defensive front in Miami. Senior running back Jordan Ellis hopes the unit’s performance against the Canes is a sign of things to come.
“I definitely feel like this will be a springboard,” said Ellis, who capitalized on some room to run to finish with 86 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the win over Miami. “This is one of the best games they’ve had as far as coming off the ball, and that’s a top defensive front. To be able to do it against them, it’s definitely inspiring. Hopefully, it’ll be a springboard to the next game and later on in the season.”
