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Navy Football: Defense and power running lift Midshipmen over Virginia in Military Bowl

By Matthew Bartlett

ANNAPOLIS, MD - DECEMBER 28: The national anthem is preformed before the start of the Military Bowl between the Navy Midshipmen and the Virginia Cavaliers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Alessandra del Bene/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD - DECEMBER 28: The national anthem is preformed before the start of the Military Bowl between the Navy Midshipmen and the Virginia Cavaliers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Alessandra del Bene/Getty Images) /
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2. Virginia has major offensive issues

Virginia’s offense looked fine a month ago when thy led Miami 28-14 early in the third quarter. The Cavaliers surrendered 31 unanswered points, getting shut out in the fourth quarter to begin an unfortunate scoreless streak for their offense.

Kurt Benkert and company were shutout in their regular season finale against Virginia Tech, extending their streak of quarters without an offensive touchdown to five. What could have been written off as a tough rivalry loss was confirmed to be a lasting concern for Virginia. The special teams unit found the endzone on the opening kickoff but the offense was shut out again, making it nine consecutive scoreless quarters for the Cavaliers to end their 2017 season.

Benkert completed 8-of-20 passes with an interception in the first half and wasn’t much better in the second half, ending the game 15-of-35 passing for 133 yards with the one interception.

With Benkert, a senior, departing following the season it’s hard to have much faith in the Cavaliers offense going forward. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall is going to have to go back to the drawing board this offseason and figure something out.

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