As the Bronco Mendenhall era at Virginia has progressed, the football team has continued to check off little milestones along the way. In season one, the Hoos ended a 17-game road losing streak. In season two, they earned a bowl bid for the first time in six years. Earlier this season, they made it two in a row for bowl berths.
Saturday’s 45-24 win against Liberty added another accomplishment to the list. The Cavaliers moved to 7-3 on the season with the victory, which secured the program’s first winning record since the 2011 team finished 8-5. Mendenhall wasted no time highlighting that fact in the postgame media room.
“I’m really excited for our seniors,” Mendenhall said. “So pleased that they were able to win at home on their last appearance at Scott Stadium. I think it’s significant that they finished with a winning season. Certainly there’s more emphasis and more games to play, but seven wins is a significant mark for our program, for the University of Virginia, and what we’re accomplishing. They can claim ownership of that. They’ve been instrumental in ensuring that that happened.”
While most of the players in the postgame media room for Virginia were aware that it was a milestone that no one on the team had experienced, they were not aware of how long it had been since the program posted a winning record. Here are some thoughts from the Hoos after the game.
What They’re Saying …
Safety Juan Thornhill: “Oh yeah, it’s great winning because losing is never fun. When you get the opportunity to go out there and play with a bunch of guys and have fun winning, that’s always a great feeling.” And on where he was in 2011? “I was definitely playing high school football. I think I was a freshman in 2011. … That was a really long time [ago.]”
Safety De’Vante Cross: “This is huge. I feel like there’s not many guys here, I don’t think any of us that have won seven games and a winning season is really exciting. It also lets us build off of it.” And on where he was in 2011? “Sheesh, I was in middle school. I was in eighth grade. When you think about it like that, that’s wild. I’m glad it’s this team and I’m glad we’re doing it.”
Safety Brenton Nelson on whether he knew that it was the first winning season since 2011: “No.” And where was he in 2011? “Florida. I have no clue [whether I was in high school or middle school.]
Punter Lester Coleman: “It’s an accomplishment, but it’s also not a surprise. I think Coach Mendenhall and the staff, I can’t say enough good things about them, I think they’re really turning the culture around. As much fun as it is to be 7-3, we’re certainly not satisfied. … We’ve got two more opportunities that we’re excited for.” And on where he was in 2011? “Gosh, 2011. My brother graduated high school in 2012 so I would have been a freshman in high school. I was at Carlisle in Martinsville.”
Quarterback Bryce Perkins: “We’re not done yet. We’ve got to keep going. Our goal is ACC Champs. We have to finish these two out to get a 9-3 season and then a bowl game. But it definitely means a lot for this program and it definitely shows progress and the way we’re moving up.”
Linebacker Robert Snyder: “My freshman year we came in and we went 2-10. Granted, we still have two more games ahead of us so we’re not getting cocky now. [We have to] stay humble. But it feels pretty good to be in this situation. We’ll enjoy it for the weekend and we’ll come back Monday, get back to work, and beat Georgia Tech.”
Running back Jordan Ellis: “It means a lot. This is my first winning season since I’ve been here. It means a lot to me, all of the effort we have put into building this program up and laying a foundation. I’m happy to be involved in the start of something great.”
Congrats to last years senior class and the class of 2018…they laid the foundation that all classes that follow will build on…thank God for Bronco and Go Hoo`s.