The Virginia football team knew it needed to increase the options on its offensive line this offseason. Dayton graduate transfer Brian Stevens for at least one really important reason: he potentially could fill multiple roles.

A self-described ‘swiss army knife’ in his time with the Flyers, Stevens started 19 games prior to his transfer and has started all 3 games for the Hoos. Last week at Maryland Stevens opened the game at center after he had held the starter’s job at right guard for the first two games.

The offensive line showed some signs of improvement with that switch. The Cavaliers allowed 5 tackles for loss with 2 sacks with only 1 sack coming in the first three quarters while the margin remained within one score. Prior to facing the Terps, UVA had allowed 21 tackles for loss with 8 sacks in the first two games.

“Obviously, we gave up a couple of sacks there late, but I think it was a good decision to make that move for this game, and we’ll evaluate the tape to see if that’s, long term, where we need to be,” Virginia coach Tony Elliott said. “But overall coming out of it, I felt like it was the right decision, and I felt like on the field, it played out that way as well.”

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