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NC State Football

Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Virginia

Matthew Bradham

Published

7 years ago

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Virginia is off to a great start to the beginning of Year 3 with Bronco Mendenhall as the head coach. After an extremely successful career as head coach at BYU (98-43), Mendenhall inherited a UVA program that had suffered 4 consecutive losing seasons, and 8 of the previous 10. 2016 was dismal in Charlottesville, with the Cavaliers going 2-10, but Mendenhall led them back to their first bowl appearance in 6 years last year.

The pace was slower in years one and two, but Mendenhall has the personnel now to run his fast paced no-huddle offense. The key component is Redshirt Junior Quarterback Bryce Perkins (6’3″/210), who has been a revelation in his 1st four Division-1 college football games. Perkins originally committed to Arizona State, and redshirted the 2015 season there, and unfortunately missed the entire 2016 season due to injury. He played plast year at Arizona Western Community College last year, and led them to the Junior College National Championship. Through 4 games this year, Perkins has passed for 867 yards and rushed for 317. He has thrown 9 touchdowns (2 interceptions), rushed for 3, and boasts a passing efficiency rating of  162.3. Perkins is one of eight FBS quarterbacks since 2000 to record 800+ passing yards, 300+ rushing yards, 9+ passing touchdowns and 3+ rushing touchdowns through the first four games of the season.

Perkins isn’t the only one hurting opponents on the ground.

Redshirt Senior Running Back Jordan Ellis (5’10″/225) is averaging 112 yards rushing per game, and 6.3 yards per carry. Ellis’ best performance of 2018 thus far was against Ohio, rushing for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also has 5 rushing touchdowns. With that being said, Ellis’ numbers in his first year starting last year as a Junior weren’t mind-boggling. He finished the season with 836 yards rushing, but he only averaged 3.9 yards per carry. In Virginia’s last outing against Louisville, the Cavaliers throttled the Cardinals to the tune of a 27-3 victory, but Ellis was one of the few things last Saturday that wasn’t that effective. He rushed the ball 20 times for 68 yards (3.4 yards per carry).

Senior Wide Receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (5’8″/190) has been Perkin’s receiver of choice. Through 4 games, Zaccheaus has 24 receptions for 392 yards (98 yards per game) and 4 touchdowns. The slot receiver is averaging an audacious 16.3 yards per reception currently, which is much higher than his career average. Zaccheaus has 181 career receptions, and only needs 30 more to become Virginia’s all-time career leader in receptions. Last year he set the single-season record with 85 receptions. He also has the ability to break a big play, having 3 receptions of 80+ yards in his career.

The Cavalier’s offense hasn’t shied away from chunk plays in 2018. Ten of their 17 offensive touchdowns have been plays of 20+ yards, and 6 of them have been plays of 35+ yards. The Wolfpack has averaged more yards of total offense per game (478.3), but Virginia has been impressive offensively as well (434.8)

Defensively, Virginia has been very stingy through 4 games. Their competition hasn’t been great, but regardless, their opponents have only averaged 297.5 yards of total offense per game. They are holding their opponents to 16.8 points per game (NC State is holding their opponents to 13.3 points per game), and only allowing 183.8 yards per game through the air.

The Cavalier defense has compiled 5 interceptions (NC State has 2), 27 tackles for loss (NC State has 16) and 9 sacks (NC State has 6 sacks). Their secondary is extremely active, breaking up 21 passes through 4 games (NC State has broken up 11).  Junior Cornerback Bryce Hall, who was a Athlon Preseason 4th-Team selection, has 7 of those pass breakups, and one of the interceptions. Senior Outside Linebacker Chris Peace, who was also a Athlon Preseason 4th-Team selection, has 5.5 tackles for loss. Peace thrives in his role in the 3-4 defensive scheme.

Senior SABRE Juan Thornhill leads the team in tackles with 24, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception. He has picked up where he left off last season, when he earned 3rd Team All-ACC honors (63 tackles 4 interceptions). Sophomore Strongside Linebacker Charles Snowden was all over the place last weekend against Louisville with 8 tackles, 2 pass broken up, 3 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 blocked kick, and 1 fumble recovery.

With that being said, Virginia has suffered some significant injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Junior Defensive End Richard Burney started the first three games, picking up 2 tackles for loss, but is now out for the season. Junior Inside Linebacker Jordan Mack started the first 4 games of the season, but is now out indefinitely.  Mack ranks 4th on the team in tackles (20), and is tied for 2nd in tackles for loss (3.0). Junior Inside Linebacker Malcolm Cook started the first two games of the season, and racked up 14 tackles, but is doubtful for tomorrow’s contest.

 

 

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