50 Virginia Football Thoughts Before Kickoff: Reducing Explosive Touchdowns

Virginia won a bowl game in 2018.
Bronco Mendenhall’s defense started to stop opponents’ big scoring plays last season. ~ Kris Wright

For years, it was a sight that Virginia football fans got frustratingly used to seeing. Opponent on offense. Defense hanging in there. Boom. Big scoring play.

While the Cavaliers sometimes could survive those breakdowns, opponents’ explosive scoring plays often contributed to losses. Somewhere along the way last season, however, the UVA defense turned a corner.

The “50 Virginia Football Thoughts Before Kickoff” series continues.

36 – Reducing Explosive Touchdowns

Through changing coordinators, different opponents, and varying locations, Virginia’s defense had a problem for a number of seasons. No matter how well or poorly the defense might be playing overall, the Hoos had a tendency to allow opponents to score long touchdowns.

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