When kickoff arrives at Scott Stadium on Saturday, it will mark the first ever meeting between Virginia and Old Dominion in football. A three-game series between the two programs has been set with ODU here this year and in 2022, while UVA will head to Norfolk next season.
The matchup provides a little in-state fervor for a non-conference matchup and it fits the regional model that Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall has said he prefers. While he did not have a direct hand in the schedule choice with the Monarchs, he likes how it matches the philosophy he has for the program right now.
“I was not involved in the ODU scheduling,” Mendenhall said. “That happened right as I arrived, if I remember. There was an announcement early on that that game was scheduled. I didn’t realize the significance or know much about the state nor ODU at that time. Liberty was more clear and I had some involvement in that. So I like the idea of in-state, close, regional, because of the intrigue. If I have my choice to travel across the country to play Oregon or stay in-state, I would much rather stay in-state.”
“The ACC is hard enough. There is enough travel,” Mendenhall continued. “Academically UVA is an amazing challenge and opportunity. I think that’s the right decision for the University of Virginia at this point. I would like to continue with that philosophy in place knowing that we won’t be able to execute it perfectly, but I think it’s a natural fit. … When you have Liberty as an independent, ODU as Conference USA member, man, the quality of FCS teams that are close, it just makes sense, and I think it does for all parties.”
Regardless of who happens to be on the other sidelines this week, there’s at least one area that the coaches are keeping a close eye on Saturday. Virginia Co-Defensive Coordinator Kelly Poppinga said Wednesday that he thought there was a drop-off with tackling in the third game of the season after a strong start with that the first two weeks.
With the Monarchs in town to play under the lights, that’s something he wants to get back to before the Hoos march deeper into the season.
“I think we’ve tackled pretty well besides the Florida State game,” Poppinga said. “The first two games, we tackled really well. [Cam] Akers was a load to bring down. We missed a couple tackles on him and the quarterback and a receiver that led to that first touchdown. Improving tackling from that Florida State game and getting back to what we did in the first two games. All in all, our percentage of tackling has gone well.”
That’s one key to the game for Saturday night then. What about some others? It’s time for the weekly Keys & Picks.
Kris’ Keys To Winning
1. Clean It Up
Virginia enters this game as a heavy favorite, hovering in the range of a 30-point pick. The No. 21 Cavaliers have achieved their highest ranking since entering the 2007 Gator Bowl at No. 21 in The Associated Press poll. Still, the 3-0 start to the season hasn’t been squeaky clean the last two weeks. UVA has 5 interceptions during the last two games, including 4 INTs from starting quarterback Bryce Perkins. The Cavaliers have put the ball on the ground several times this season too. The Hoos also had 9 penalties last week, the high so far this season. That was one penalty short of the 10 flags in the Pittsburgh game late last season.
Throw in some costly coverage lapses that haven’t cost the team on the scoreboard yet as the opponents missed deep throws and there are some obvious areas that need to improve. Virginia needs to get a win this week and the only way that should fall into question is if the hosts make all kinds of mistakes that allow the Monarchs the chance to make a run at the upset. The Hoos need to focus on playing a clean game to stay in victory lane and to prepare for big games ahead as the competition level will climb in the coming weeks.
2. Disciplined Drops
The Cavaliers face another quarterback with running ability this week. ODU’s Stone Smartt rushed for 50 yards and 1 touchdown against Norfolk State in his team’s season opener and added 48 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground at Virginia Tech before a bye week. He also had 583 rushing yards with 9 touchdowns at Riverside City JUCO last season.
The usual tenets apply here. UVA needs to maintain run fits on designed runs or option plays in order to keep Smartt in check there. On passing plays, the rush lanes need to stay intact to prevent leak-out scrambles.
Virginia linebacker Rob Snyder said something this week that usually doesn’t get mentioned, though. He said one thing he learned from facing Bryce Perkins in practice all the time is to be disciplined in pass drops as well. If linebackers drop too far in coverage or let their eyes get distracted with assignments, then mobile quarterbacks can come flying downfield with the ball in hand before the defenders react to stop it.
3. Take Advantage Of Big Gain Openings
Old Dominion enters this game with some vulnerability on defense and kickoff coverage.
The Monarchs have allowed 8 passing plays of 20+ yards this season (half of those went for 30+) and 2 rushing plays of 20+ yards this season in just two games. That’s an average of 5 plays per game that are going for big chunks. UVA has 12 scrimmage plays of 20+ yards this season. ODU also allowed a 71-yard kickoff return against Virginia Tech’s Terius Wheatley. Obviously, Virginia knows that Joe Reed can be dangerous in that part of the game.
This matchup could create some opportunities for the Cavaliers to rip off big plays. Miss those chances and it could build confidence for the visitors, but hit on those openings and it could knock the wind out of any upset hopes.
The Picks
Sabre Editor Kris Wright
Two weeks ago against a team from near the Virginia coast, the Cavaliers jumped all over William & Mary in the first quarter and never looked back. They led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter, 35-3 at halftime, and eventually won 52-17. I don’t think this is as big of a mismatch, but the Hoos are capable of opening up a big margin in this game too.
The question that seems to be on everyone’s mind is whether there’s a letdown coming after the emotional win against Florida State last week? Coach Mendenhall and the players said Monday that they were already focused on ODU, but the Cavaliers will need to prove that on the field. I don’t think this particular team will fall into the proverbial trap part of a trap game where a lack of focus and discipline leads to bigger problems.
In fact, I think the Hoos continue to improve and flex their muscles ahead of a showdown at Notre Dame. VIRGINIA 45, ODU 10. Season to date: 3-0.
Sabre Associate Editor Chris Horne
No. 21 Virginia is a huge favorite to beat Old Dominion and move to 4-0 heading into next week’s away contest against No. 7 Notre Dame. I’m not worried about the Cavaliers overlooking the Monarchs before the Fighting Irish. The biggest question, at least for me, is whether the Hoos have trouble rebounding from an emotional victory over Florida State. As Kris and I discussed in our postgame SabreTV feature following Florida State, the players seemed pleased with the win but not overly excited. Based on that as well as how UVA rebounded from the season-opening win at Pitt to blowout William & Mary, I feel confident that Bronco Mendenhall’s program will be ready to go against an ODU squad coming off a bye week.
Old Dominion has some talented players on a defense that has forced five turnovers, including two forced fumbles in a 31-17 loss at Virginia Tech in Week 2. However, if the Cavaliers can stay clean – Bryce Perkins tossed four interceptions against William & Mary and Florida State combined (though he had one touchdown and zero picks in a terrific second half versus the Seminoles) – they should be able to have success. The biggest concern from the Old Dominion offense is in the run game. Virginia can’t let dual-threat quarterback Stone Smartt get loose on the ground, and Lala Davis and Kesean Strong averaged 7.4 yards and 6.4 yards per carry against Virginia Tech. Just like William & Mary, the Cavalier defense needs to make Smartt beat them through the air.
Virginia’s all-around capabilities will be too much for Old Dominion to overcome. I’m expecting another fast start for the Hoos, who take down the Monarchs in the first ever meeting between the two programs. VIRGINIA 45, ODU 14. Season to date: 3-0.
