UVA's Bronco Mendenhall has no explanation for success aganst Duke

"I would be guessing"
UVA's Bronco Mendenhall has no explanation for success aganst Duke
UVA's Bronco Mendenhall has no explanation for success aganst Duke /

Duke has not beaten Virginia since coach Bronco Mendenhall took over the Cavaliers in 2016.

Mendenhall wasn’t sure what the reasons were for Virginia’s three game streak over the Blue Devils.

“I don't have an explanation. Again, the league and our division is so, so close. The number of plays that determine outcome, as you know, is so small. In this particular game and this particular matchup, we just made a few more plays. To go any further than that I would be guessing,” he said.

Virginia will be playing without cornerback Bryce Hall, who had 12 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defended in the three wins over Duke.

“If you look at Bryce's play against this particular opponent and how successful he's been, that's probably the bigger story,” Mendenhall said. “It just seems that he's played an integral role in our chance, success, against this opponent. Without him now, someone else will have to do that. There isn't any more time. That means we have to do it this week.”

Winning streak aside, Mendenhall has plenty of respect for Duke.

“They’re coached by David Cutcliffe,” he said. “Their schemes are well thought out. Execution is on point. They maximize the use of existing personnel. They have a strong culture. He's doing something very unique at a place that has a lot of reasons to say that it couldn't be done. He's doing it anyway. The next quarterback is in after all the accolades for their previous quarterback who was a first-round pick. Doesn't appear to be much drop-off.”


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Shawn Krest
SHAWN KREST

Shawn Krest has covered Duke for the last decade. His work has appeared in The Sporting News, USA Today, CBSSports.com, ESPN.com and dozens of other national and regional outlets. Shawn's work has won awards from the USBWA, PFWA, BWAA and NC Press Association.