The tone was set right from the start for the Virginia football team as all three operations contributed immediately to early miscues and the grades reflect that. Throw in an injury to starting receiver Doni Dowling and ultimately a 37-20 loss to an FCS team and it’s hard to imagine how coach Bronco Mendenhall’s debut in Charlottesville could have been much worse.

The defense struggled from the opening drive, surrendering an eight-play, 64-yard field goal drive. Silver lining – the defense held the Spiders to only three. Virginia’s kickoff return unit fumbled Richmond’s ensuing kickoff to set up UR at the UVA 18-yard line. It’s really hard to put -1 yard on the stat sheet without even taking a snap. To its credit, the defense again held the visitors to a field goal and finally gave the offense a chance to show what it can do, down 6-0 with 6:45 left the in first quarter. Virginia’s offense took the ball and drove 52 yards in 11 plays only to commit the second turnover of the day with another fumble, this time inside the Spiders’ 5-yard line.

That said, I have faith that much like the Disney fairy tales of Cinderella and Snow White, and the dubious beginning at Virginia for Hall of Famer George Welsh, the story will ultimately have a happy ending.

Grades

OFFENSE 70.24 (C-)

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