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Georgia Tech Football: A closer look at the Virginia Cavaliers

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 02: Bryce Perkins #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on during the second half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 38-31. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 02: Bryce Perkins #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on during the second half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 38-31. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Geoff Collins’ Georgia Tech football team travels to Charlottesville this weekend to take on the Virginia Cavaliers.

Season Recap (6-3 overall, 4-2 ACC):

After starting the season off hot, winning four straight games to start the season with wins over Pittsburgh, William & Mary, Florida State, and Old Dominion. It’s safe to say that early on, they weren’t really tested with their best opponent being Pittsburgh. Since then, the Cavaliers have struggled with losses to Notre Dame, Miami, and Louisville.

That being said, despite the recent struggles, the Cavaliers still remain 4-0 when playing at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Saturday will mark their first home game since October 19th, when they defeated the Duke Blue Devils 48-14.

Offense:

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The Cavaliers this season are averaging 30.8 points per game which is best for 55th in the country. They’re a rather balanced offense, averaging 36 passing attempts and 32 rushing attempts a game. They’re stronger through the air, averaging 255.7 yards per game while on the ground, they’re averaging 108.7 yards.

The Virginia offense is lead by quarterback Bryce Perkins, whose in his second year of being the Cavaliers starting quarterback. As we mentioned yesterday, Perkins is having a solid season but hasn’t been as strong as he was last year. Perkins this year has thrown for 2,181-yards and rushed for 387-yards while scoring a combined 19 touchdowns (12  passing, 7 rushing).

Perkins top receiving threat this season has senior Joe Reed who has 56 receptions for 503-yards and four touchdowns this season. Hasise Dubois is also a notable name to know in the Cavaliers receiving core with 49 receptions for 679-yards and three touchdowns.

When Perkins doesn’t run the ball, he’ll hand it off to sophomore Wayne Taulapapa who has 87 rushing attempts for 362-yards and nine touchdowns. Additionally, PK Kier has carried the rock 20 times while freshman Mike Hollins has 13 carries.

Defense:

The Cavaliers defense was expected to be a huge part of their success this season and so far they’ve lived up to those expectations for the most part. They’re allowing just 21.9 points per game to go along with 312 yards allowed per game. As mentioned yesterday, they’ve struggled against the run lately and has allowed 122.9 yards per game on the ground for the season.

While their rush defense has struggled, their pass defense has been superb despite the loss of top cornerback Bryce Hall. The Cavs secondary has allowed less than 200-yards per game through the air. While they only have six interceptions on the season, they also have 32 pass deflections. Junior corner Nick Grant is the top secondary member for the Cavs with Hall gone as he’s totaled one interceptions and six pass deflections.

In terms of names to know on the Cavaliers defense, the first one would be linebacker Zane Zandler who has 66 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks this season. Another member of the front seven to know going into Saturday’s game is Charles Snowden. Snowden has 52 tackles, 9.0 tackles for a loss, and three sacks. It’s safe to say that the Yellow Jackets offense will have their hands full with the Cavaliers defense.

Special Teams:

The Virginia special teams unit this year has been solid but not tremendous. Wide receiver Joe Reed has been the primary kick returner with 21 kick returns this season. With those 21 returns, he’s totaled 743-yard (35.4 average) and two touchdowns. Punt returns haven’t been nearly as successful as primary returner Billy Kemp is just averaging 6.4 yards per return. Place kicker Brian Delaney has been solid, making 31-of-32 extra point attempts while also making 13-of-17 field goal attempts. Additionally, punter Nash Griffin is averaging 41.0 yards per punt this season.