Virginia Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win against Duke

By Dante Pryor | Oct 16, 2021

Aug 31, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Hasise Dubois (8) and head coach Bronco Mendenhall (center) and wide receiver Joe Reed (2) lead the team onto the field to play the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field. Virginia won 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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2. Brennan Armstrong was brilliant again

Brennan Armstrong was not on many lists for the best quarterback in the ACC when the season began. That list started with Sam Howell and DJ Uiagelelei and even Sam Hartman. Despite not being included on that list, Armstrong has outplayed every quarterback in the ACC.

Armstrong is healthy and has taken the helm of the offense this season, and coach Bronco Mendenhall’s trust in Armstrong has been well placed. Armstrong has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.

Armstrong was not as accurate (55% completion percentage), but he did not turn the ball over and threw for two touchdowns. Armstrong threw for 364 and ran for 34 more. A critical aspect of the Cavaliers’ offense is they do not just dink and dunk the ball.

Armstrong averaged over eight yards per pass attempt this afternoon. Though Virginia’s offense is not dynamic, they could get a lot of chunk plays against Duke through the air. Armstrong did a great job today of getting the football to his playmakers.

Today, Billy Kemp, Dontayvion Wicks, Jelani Woods, and Keyaton Thompson made significant contributions in the passing game, which is the key to Virginia’s offense; get the ball to your playmakers.

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