The Virginia football team announced its 2024 schedule Wednesday. The third year of the Tony Elliott era will feature six home games and six road games with start times for all contests coming at a later date. All UVA games are scheduled for Saturdays this season.
The Hoos begin with Richmond at Scott Stadium on Aug. 31. Virginia owns a 30-3-2 all-time record against the Spiders, including a 34-17 win in 2022. The ACC opener follows on Sept. 7 in Winston-Salem. UVA leads the series 34-17, but Wake has won five straight in what has become more sporadic matchups. The two teams have played just six times since 2007.
Virginia faces two non-conference foes the following two weeks before a bye on Sept. 28. The Hoos host Maryland on Sept. 14 in a series where they trail 32-44-2 all time. A trip to Coastal Carolina is set for Sept. 21 in what will be the first meeting between the two programs.
October is filled mostly with home games for the Wahoos. The Cavaliers welcome Boston College (Oct. 5), Louisville (Oct. 12), and North Carolina (Oct. 26.) to town during the month. BC leads that series 7-1, while Louisville has a 7-5 edge against UVA. UNC leads the South’s Oldest Rivalry 65-59-4. Virginia’s only road game for the month comes on Oct. 19 as Elliott returns to Clemson. The Tigers lead the series 40-8-1.
The scales tilt the other way in November as the Hoos face three road games after a second bye on Nov. 2. The Cavaliers make trips to Pittsburgh (Nov. 9), Notre Dame (Nov. 16), and Virginia Tech (Nov. 30). Pitt leads the series 10-4, while Notre Dame is 4-0 against the Wahoos. VT leads that series 61-38-5. The only home game for November comes on Nov. 23 against SMU. Virginia has never played the ACC newcomer.
This marks the second straight season with only six home games on the schedule. UVA took on Tennessee last year in a neutral site game in addition to five road contests. The Hoos only played six home games in 2022 as well. The tragic shooting of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry canceled the final home game against Coastal Carolina that season.
Virginia Spring Game Set
The Cavaliers also have released the date for the annual Spring Game. Virginia will host that scrimmage on Saturday, April 20 at Scott Stadium. As always, admission is free. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and any broadcast information (usually found on the ACC Network) will be released at a later date.
UVA opens spring practice on Tuesday, March 19. With 15 total practices – the Spring Game counts as No. 15 – there will be three sessions per week on average as the preparations for the 2024 season begin.
These first practices will be critical for getting some players up to speed. Virginia brought in 11 players via the transfer portal with most of the group joining the program this semester. UVA also enrolled seven high school seniors in January as part of the 2024 recruiting class.
Malik Washington Makes Impression
Malik Washington turned in a stellar season in his only year with the Wahoos. The Northwestern transfer accumulated an ACC record 110 receptions and a UVA record 1,426 receiving yards. He also had a school-record 10 100-yard receiving games. Washington caught 9 touchdowns, including multi-TD games against NC State and Duke. He earned All-American recognition from 13 different publications and was selected First-Team All-ACC as well.
Next up for the standout receiver: the East-West Shrine Bowl. The 99th edition of the game will air on the NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET.
Washington turned heads consistently during practices for the contest. Josh Carney from USA Today noted that Washington had a “tremendous day” on Saturday and called him “a blur.” ESPN analyst Jordan Reid called Washington “fluid” as “one of the most impressive players” with “good hands” during workouts. Dane Brugler of The Athletic posted about “impressive reps” and “body control” while watching Washington.
.@UVAFootball WR Malik Washington had a tremendous day for the West team, especially in 1-on-1.
Quick-twitch athlete, burns Penn State CB Daequan Hardy here. Quick, clean release, easy inside win. He is a blur. pic.twitter.com/LQVx2dxxgJ
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) January 28, 2024
#Virginia WR Malik Washington has been one of the most impressive players so far at the @ShrineBowl. Fluid, sudden and good hands. pic.twitter.com/PqsV4G86VR
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 28, 2024
#Virginia WR Malik Washington had several impressive reps today, including maybe the catch of the day.
Clean win at the snap and then shows off the body control and tracking skills to finish. pic.twitter.com/luZXyg903m
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 27, 2024
Washington hopes to translate this postseason event buzz into NFL Draft buzz in the coming months. The draft begins on April 25.
