Virginia Football: Cavaliers to backslide in 2018 season
Offense
The UVA offense floundered in 2017 even with Kurt Benkert throwing for 3,207 yards and 25 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. Where they lacked was in yards per passing attempt where Benkert threw for only a 6.3 yard average.
The Cavaliers finished the year ranked 109th offensively per the S&P+ analytics and must improve on that data in order to have a winning season in year three of the Mendenhall era. The new quarterback looks to be Lindell Stone.
Stone is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound former three-star pro style quarterback from nearby Woodberry Forest High School in Virginia. Stone blew his redshirt in 2017 and only finished 2-of-9 passing with two interceptions on the season. Mendenhall’s offense is predicated upon accurate passing and limited mistakes behind a power run game that features multiple tight end sets.
Supporting Cast
In the backfield the Hoos return Jordan Ellis who ran for 836 yards and six touchdowns but only averaged 3.9 yards per carry. Virginia will have to increase their yards per carry average in order to win first downs and convert on third and short. He’s joined in the backfield by Chris Sharp who ran for 3.6 yards per carry on 11 rushes in 2017.
At receiver, the Cavaliers return leading pass catcher Olamide Zaccheaus. Zaccheaus caught 85 balls for 895 yards but the 5-foot-8 receiver wasn’t explosive while averaging only 10.5 yards per catch. The UVA offense lost a big play receiver in Andre Levrone who averaged 20.3 yards per reception and hauled in seven touchdowns in 2017.
Regardless of who is at quarterback the Hoos also lost Doni Dowling who caught five touchdowns from Benkert. However, they do return tight end Evan Butts who caught 32 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns a year ago. Coach Mendenhall didn’t sleep on recruiting new receivers and brought in a solid class of three-star freshman wide outs in Ugo Obasi, Wooby Theork and Tavares Kelly.
One of Mendenhall’s trademarks at BYU was a strong offensive line but the Cavaliers don’t return anyone that was named to the 2017 All-ACC team. They do return Jake Fieler who started all 13 games for UVA last season and is versatile as he plays center, right guard and left guard. Dillon Reinkensmeyer can play center or left tackle and at 6-foot-4 he’ll make for an excellent blind side protector for Stone.