A 42-point drubbing in the 2017 Military Bowl was not the way the Virginia Cavalier football team wanted to send out departing seniors such as Micah Kiser and Quin Blanding.  Outside linebacker Chris Peace, defensive back Juan Thornhill and wide receiver/kick return specialist Joe Reed are three players who figure to play prominent roles in the success of next year’s team, which hopes to build off of the foundation laid by Blanding, Kiser and others. Those three discussed the prognosis for next year and more following the game in Annapolis last Thursday.

Chris Peace and Juan Thornhill

With Micah Kiser moving on and Malcolm Cook reportedly not expected to return, outside linebacker Chris Peace and inside linebacker Jordan Mack may be the only returning starters in Virginia’s 2018 season linebacking corps. Peace produced the best season of his career in 2017, finishing with a team-best 7.5 sacks. He had 68 tackles in total (32 solo), 10.5 of which went for loss, and added two forced fumbles and an interception.

Virginia’s performance in the Military Bowl motivates the 6’2”, 245-pound Peace, a redshirt junior who has one more season of eligibility remaining with the Cavaliers.

“You have no idea,” Peace answered when asked how much the Navy defeat motivates him for next season.

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