Healthy UVA prepares for season opener, still competition at several positions
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– Game week has arrived.
Virginia football will kick off its season against William and Mary on Saturday at Scott Stadium, and Bronco Mendenhall and company are hoping this team’s experience will help smooth away those first game mistakes.
“I would certainly hope so. I think that’s every coach’s desire, that you start playing clean and continues to improve from there,” said the UVA head coach during his Monday press conference. “We all recognize the week one uncertainties, and no team is ever as I thought prior to playing an opponent that matched my opinion of the team after I played or coached against the first opponent.
“And so our hope is with the veteran team there is less of those discrepancies from I thought and what were discovered, and hopefully that applies to clean play as well.”
Healthier Virginia Side
UVA’s experience allowed the Cavaliers to use the NFL model for practices. Players knew what was expected to them with each rep, so unlike in previous years, their workload did not have to be as strenuous.
“The NCAA format and the acclimation format was different this year anyway, which matched very similar to what we were doing already,” explained Mendenhall. “So it was kind of a blend of those two things, right, following the rules of engagement that are in affect, but also with more experience, leaning a little bit more with some of our players that have, man, four and five years of experience of having the reaction be fast and sharp and conditioning fierce, with a little less risk at the end.”
According to Mendenhall, the team still had contact but just “less finishing,” so less taking or blocking to the ground. This allowed the ‘Hoos to start the season healthier with no additional injuries.
“We’re in great shape and really good health,” said Mendenhall. “We are as healthy as any team that I’ve coached probably in my entire career coming out of fall camp. That doesn’t mean perfectly healthy, but our emphasis shows in the health of our team right now, which I’m so thankful for.”
No Captains Named Yet
Although jersey numbers were selected, Mendenhall has yet to select captains for this year’s squad.
“Normally it comes out maybe on Saturday or Sunday, and this particular year I’m just going to go a little bit more,” he said. “Still trying to identify exactly what this team will benefit most from and whom. It could be as late as Friday. I’m not certain yet. There isn’t any problem or concern. It’s just I would like to get the exact right leadership for this specific team and the unique nature of the all the surroundings and circumstances from COVID and fans back and expectations and just what we all want to accomplish and super seniors and everything else.
“Just taking me a little longer to sort that out.”
Depth Chart Clarifications
The battle is still on for several spots on the Virginia roster.
#UVA depth chart ahead of opener against William and Mary pic.twitter.com/0hyhUc3xu9
— Jacquie Franciulli (@JacquieFran_) August 30, 2021
The running back race remains a photo finish. At this time Wayne Taulapapa is listed up top with Mike Hollins, Ronnie Walker, and Devin Darrington following. There is not much space between each running back.
“Those are micro-differences between any of those,” said about the running backs 1-4 on the Virginia depth chart. “I mean, it is so close. Wayne’s experience gives him a more every-play role in anything we’re doing because we’ve seen him do it all. Mike Hollins adds a dynamic ball carrier emphasis that’s special. And Ronny, there is a speed and dynamic component that comes with that.
“And Devin Darrington my been the most effective runner through camp. Really hard to say right now who and how many touches and what roles. I mean, it’s a photo finish as of Monday going into getting to Saturday, so too early to say what the plan is.
“It certainly could change.”
Meanwhile on the offensive line, Bobby Haskins was listed in the two-deep, behind Ryan Nelson at left tackle. However, that could very well change come game day.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he is starting on Saturday,” said Mendenhall. ” It’s that’s close between he and the other five, which is a great position to be in as a coach. I’d feel even greater if there were seven rather than six, right?
“So I like the depth that is coming up, and I love the experience that we have there.”
Vaccination Rate and COVID Policy
COVID remains in the back of everyone’s mind.
According to Mendenhall, all the football staff have been vaccinated, however, there were a few players that received medical or religions exemptions.
“I believe it’s three, that number might now be two, players that received waivers for either medical or religious exemptions that were granted,” he said.
As far as far engagement, Mendenhall is unsure that the policy will be.
“I’m not following things much outside of our building and getting our team ready. But do I know that there are so many administrations across the country trying to consider who gets to come to the games or what is basically proof they have to show, and is it vaccination or proof of a negative test,” he said. “And so as I get more clear on that prior to Game Day, then possibly policies, you know, I’ll make it clear to the team what I expect. I just haven’t gotten to that point yet in terms of fan engagement on Game Day, so that’s kind of where I am.”
