Virginia offensive line coach Terry Heffernan gives instructions during a 2023 practice. ~ Photo courtesy of Virginia Athletics Media Relations/Jim Daves

After winning three games in back-to-back seasons, the Virginia football team enters year three of the Tony Elliott era with hopes of a breakthrough season. UVA starts the season on Saturday, August 31 against Richmond at Scott Stadium with a 6 p.m. kickoff.

To get there, the Hoos must improve in areas across the board but special teams and the offensive line often are the top two items on any observer’s wish list. For the O-Line, that reasoning is understandable. Virginia ranked 123rd (tie) nationally last season in sacks allowed and 130th (tie) for total tackles for loss allowed. The rushing offense (107th) sat outside the top 100 as well.

The Hoos finished the season with a 55-17 blowout loss to Virginia Tech, a game where the offensive line allowed 6 sacks and helped generate just 43 rushing yards. UVA offensive line coach Terry Heffernan said you try not to dwell on that type of performance too much, but it is “the last thing we showed” so you try to balance the line between harping on it too much and using it as a motivational tool.

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