Notebook: Is Virginia the most experienced team in America?

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia is one of, if not the most experienced football teams in America.

According to a piece by ESPN, Virginia ranks second in the country in total snaps by transfers. However, UVA’s numbers disagree, which easily makes the Cavaliers the most experienced transfer class in FBS football.

Also according to the ESPN article, West Virginia, which signed 51 transfers, has 32,779 snaps by those players.

Virginia signed 31 transfers (although the real number is 32) and collectively those players have a combined 447 career starts, according to the ESPN article, and 30,320 career snaps. UVA begs to differ. According to a Virginia football press release, the 32 Cavalier transfers have 35,985 career snaps in 850 games played. That’s more than 5,000 additional snaps than ESPN gave Virginia credit for, easily making the Wahoos the No. 1 transfer class in the country in terms of experience.

Not only that, but the Cavaliers are the only program in FBS with 19 combined sixth- and seventh-year players. UVA also has the nation’s most experienced offensive line, based on career appearances and 200 career starts.

Virginia’s experience showed up in last Saturday’s game in every phase of football, plus there was no sense of panic on the field as the Cavaliers tore apart visiting Coastal Carolina, 48-7, calling off the dogs early in the game.

Was that experience noticeable to the coaching staff throughout the game?

“I think what you saw was the way it showed up the most was complimentary football,” Elliott said. “We go down, we don’t score on the first drive, and man, the defense comes out, they do their job. And then Caleb Hardy is in there and even though it wasn’t a [punt] call block, he trusts the coaching and understands that we felt like somebody was gonna come free. We didn’t know who it was going to be, but have the confidence and the preparation and being able to take what we did drillwork-wise in practice and apply it.

“And then later in the game, where you saw on the sideline, you saw the older guys cheering for the younger guys and being invested in their success. So I think what you saw was the experience showed more of a team camaraderie and atmosphere and the ability to quickly respond to adversity. That was a challenge that I had for the entire team. Three things I wanted to see was a fast start, control the momentum and finish. I think that’s where you saw more of the experience showed up in those three areas so that we could put together a quality game.”

No sacks given by O-Line

Last year, Virginia ranked among the worst teams in the nation when it came to protecting the quarterback. UVA QBs were sacked 47 times.

That wasn’t the case last Saturday when the Cavaliers didn’t give up a single sack.

“Anytime you come out of the game without having a sack on the stat sheet is really positive,” Elliott said. “That’s one of our goals and objectives.”

Coastal’s defensive game plan took a little pressure off UVA’s offensive line because the Chanticleers often rushed only three defenders and dropped eight into coverage.

Elliott knows that won’t be the case Saturday at NC State.

“We’re going to have to be on our P’s and Q’s this week because this defensive front that we’re getting ready to play is very active on the edges. They can jump in and out of structure, go from four-down to three-down, and they have some experienced linebackers that can bring pressure. So we’re going to be tested from a pass-protection standpoint this week.”

Where’s UVA’s pass rush?

Coastal QB MJ Morris dropped back 36 times against Virginia but was sacked only once. The Cavaliers also had three QB hurries.

Part of the problem was Morris’ ability to get rid of the ball quickly, but this week’s opponent, NC State, has a QB that likes to stand in the pocket and hunt receivers in CJ Bailey.

“Situationally, we’ve go to do a good job as far as being able to generate pass rush,” said UVA defensive coordinator John Rudzinski. “If it’s third and short or three-step timing, you’re not going to create a lot of pressure. So you’ve got to find ways to impact the quarterbacks in different ways.

“I think our challenge this week, as far as with a quarterback that’s going to sit in the pocket and can look over those O-linemen, we’ve got to be able to find a way to try to win some of those one-on-one’s. There’s nothing magic about it. You’ve gotta line up from the man across from you, you have to beat a tackle, have to beat a guard, beat a center.”

Seven is too many

Critics would be hard-pressed to find flaws with Virginia’s defensive performance against Coastal in a 48-7 Cavaliers win.

Rudzinski’s squad did a good job of containing Coastal’s version of the “Air Raid,” pass-happy offense, giving up only 163 yards through the air. Coastal managed only 91 yards rushing on 30 attempts, only 13 first downs and converted only 1 of 14 third downs.

Still, Coach Rud wasn’t happy that his defense gave up seven points.

“Golly, yeah, I don’t want to give up any points,” Rudzinski said this week. “Like my wife is always, like, ‘Golly, you get mad when we’re up by whatever and give up a touchdown.’  I want us to play perfect.”

Stat of the Week

As aforementioned, UVA’s offensive line didn’t surrender a single sack against Coastal. But here’s the mindblower. The Wahoos didn’t turn the ball over at all in the game.

So, the last time a Virginia team didn’t have a turnover and didn’t allow a sack in the same game was 12 years ago against Maryland (2013).

Kam Robinson update

Elliott said that Virginia’s star linebacker is making progress in his recovery from a collarbone injury in training camp.

The coach said Robinson’s surgery incision is healing well and that Robinson is out of the sling and is actually conditioning for his return to practice next week.

“Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, he’ll be ready to go, so I anticipate, hopefully, by Stanford he’ll be ready to roll for game action,” Elliott said. UVA hosts Stanford on Sept. 20.

“Kam was one of our biggest cheerleaders on the sideline (for the Coastal Carolina game). He was waving that towel with his right arm and that shows me that shoulder is starting to feel pretty good.”

Hoos in the Pros?

UVA has a Baker’s Dozen players in the NFL (three on practice squads). Here’s the list:

• Joey Blount, safety, Cardinals
• Morgan Moses, offensive tackle, Patriots
• Olu Oluwatimi, center, Seahawks
• Jonas Sanker, safety, Saints
• Charles Snowden, defensive end, Raiders
• Juan Thornhill, safety, Steelers
• Malik Washington,wide receiver, Dolphins
• Dontayvion Wicks, wide receiver, Packers
• Jelani Woods, tight end, Jets
• Olamide Zaccheaus, wide receiver, Bears
• Elliott Brown, outside linebacker, Cardinals (practice squad)
• Bryce Hall, corner, Buccaneers (practice squad)
• Brent Urban, offensive tackles, Ravens (practice squad)