When the clock hit zero in Charlotte last December after the Belk Bowl, the University of Virginia football program had made their presence known in the ACC. The Cavaliers won their first bowl game since 2005 shutting out South Carolina 28-0, racking up the most wins in a season since 2011 and gave a fan base something that had been lacking in Charlottesville for a long time: hope.
Entering the 2019 season, the Cavaliers bring back their dynamic quarterback in Bryce Perkins, their All-American cornerback, Bryce Hall and fourth year head coach Bronco Mendenhall, who has improved his win total in each of his first three seasons. The ACC media picked the Hoos to finish first in the ACC Coastal Division this year, the first time this has happened since the conference went to the division format. Expectations are high this year in Charlottesville, which is a new feeling compared to the last decade. While UVA men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse and baseball have all won national championships in the last 5 years, the football team has been struggling to keep up with the successes of the other sports. This year feels different.
There were a lot of unknowns on the offensive side of the ball entering last season when Arizona Western Community College transfer Bryce Perkins arrived on grounds. Perkins college career started at Arizona State University where he suffered a broken neck that was considered by some to be career ending. Perkins recovered and ended up at the JUCO level where he gained an offer from Coach Mendenhall. Perkins relished at the opportunity to quarterback an ACC team back to prominence.
In his first season at UVA, Perkins led the ACC and ranked 13th nationally in points responsible for (206), broke the UVA record for touchdowns responsbile (34), and broke the UVA single season total offense record with 3,603 total yards. Perkins is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, rushing for 923 yards and 9 touchdowns, and passing for 2,680 yards and 25 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions, with a 64.5 completion percentage. The only other quarterback in the nation to have better pass/run numbers than Perkins last season was Heisman Trophy winner, and first overall pick in the NFL Draft, Kyler Murray of Oklahoma.
Perkins loses his biggest target from last season, Olamide Zaccheaus who graduated and went to the NFL. Zaccheaus who broke UVA’s record for receptions in a season in 2017 with 85, followed up that performance breaking his own record in 2018 with 93. Those receptions netted him 1058 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. Replacing a reliable receiver like Zaccheaus is never easy, but Mendenhall and staff still have several high quality options at receiver for Perkins to throw to.
Hasise Dubois, Sr. 6’3 215, and Joe Reed, Sr. 6’1 215 are the two leading receivers from last years team and bring a veteran presence to the receiving corps. Dubois had 52 receptions for 578 yards and 5 touchdowns last season while Reed had 25 receptions for 465 yards and 7 touchdowns. Junior Terrell Jana 6’0 190 returns, along with University of Richmond grad transfer Dejon Brissett 6’2 200. Brissett’s career stats at Richmond, 86 receptions for 1282 yards and 9 touchdowns along with a 14.9 yard average bring another seasoned player into the fold.
Running back Jordan Ellis also graduated last year, leaving another void for Coach Mendenhall to fill. Ellis ran 1026 yards last season and was a big part of Perkins success due to his ability to make plays. This year the job seems to be open heading into fall camp with P.K. Kier, and Wayne Taulapapa leading the race. Kier missed a lot of spring practice with a concussion, and Tualapapa took advantage having a very productive spring. This is a battle to keep and eye on as we head into camp.
Perkins brings a calm demeanor, and leadership presence to the Hoos. “I want for this team and for myself to go down as one of the best ever.” Perkins said at the ACC Media Days in Charlotte. The attitude and talent that Perkins brings to the Hoos is something that has been missed in years past.
On the defensive side of the ball, all eyes will be on Bryce Hall. The 6’1 200 pound senior cornerback is coming off of a tremendous season that landed him first team All-ACC honors along with second team All-American honors. Hall led the nation in passes broken up with 22, and tied for first in the nation with 24 passes defended. Hall has been named to several preseason awards watch lists including the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, Wuerffel Trophy and Lott Impact Trophy.
The Cavalier defense ranked 20th in the nation last year, and return 8 starters from that defense. Brenton Nelson, and Joey Blunt return with Hall to a secondary that should be the backbone of the defense. With Eli Hanback, Richard Burney, Mandy Alonso and Charles Snowden all returning to the defensive line, there should be a lot of offenses that get frustrated with the Wahoo defense.
Bronco Mendenhall came to a UVA football program that was in bad shape to begin his tenure in the 2016 season. Mendenhall’s predecessor Mike London had his ups and downs at the helm, but could never find the consistency needed to sustain success. London was a great recruiter but the high level recruits never reached their full potential on the field. When it comes to Mendenhall, he is not going to recruit four and five start recruits year after year. The difference with Mendenhall is that he can take a three star recruit or lower and turn that player into a force to be reckoned with on the field. Mendenhall recruits players that fit his system, but also players that will adhere to his standards. It is obvious when you watch his players on the field, and listen to them talk in the locker room that they have completely bought in to Coach Mendenhall’s program.
Mendenhall has improved his win total in each of his first three seasons, going from 2-10 in ’16, 6-7 in ’17, to 8-5 in ’18. Last years team lost 3 of their last 4 games, two of those games in overtime, and the other losing a fourth quarter lead. A few things going the other way and the Hoos could have ended up with 10 or 11 wins. The losing streak to Virginia Tech was extended to 15 straight after a heartbreaking overtime loss where the Hoos were on the cusp of finally putting that narrative to rest before the Hokies took advantage of a few fortunate bounces to come away with the win.
The 2019 schedule has road games at Notre Dame and Miami, along with home games against Florida State and Virginia Tech. UVA opens up on the road at Pittsburgh on August 31st in what may prove to be pivotal ACC Coastal battle.
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