Behind Enemy Lines: Five Questions for Cavaliers Now's Matt Newton
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With the Louisville football program inching closer to clinching berth in the ACC Championship, they'll conclude a three-game home stand with a short turnaround, hosting Virginia in their final home conference game of the season.
Ahead of the matchup, Louisville Report sat down with Matt Newton of Cavaliers Now to find out more about the Cavaliers:
1. What is the overall vibe surrounding the Virginia program right now? They had been playing better football in the last month, but then ran into a brick wall against Georgia Tech.
The vibe surrounding UVA football has gone on something of a roller coaster in the last five weeks. Energy was at an all-time low after the 0-5 start to the season, but then a month of good football - starting with the win vs. William & Mary, escalating with the historic upset at North Carolina after the bye, and then maintaining with an admirable effort in an overtime loss at Miami the week after that - had people believing things were pointed in the right direction. But then a combination of critical injuries and a disheartening lack of execution in all phases of the game led to a surprising blowout loss to Georgia Tech last weekend and now the vibes have returned to their lowly place where people are wondering if this team will win another football game this season.
2. With Tony Muskett dealing with an ankle injury, Virginia might have to go back to Anthony Colandrea at QB. What does each QB bring to the table, including their impact on the offense?
Virginia has two highly capable quarterbacks in Tony Muskett and Anthony Colandrea and we've seen the UVA offense click at a high level with either player in the game. Colandrea is an electrifying player, often improvising and pulling off improbable throws outside of the pocket. He's a highlight reel machine, but also struggles with freshman mistakes, throwing seven interceptions to match his seven touchdowns passes. Muskett is more under control and while maybe not as likely to deliver eye-popping plays like Colandrea, he's a better manager of the offense and more accurate on short and medium-range throws. His experience and poise late in the UNC game was particularly impressive.
3. Malik Washington is one of the best wide receivers in the ACC, and is UVA’s biggest offensive threat. What makes him such a dynamic receiver?
Washington has been a revelation for Virginia this season, going over 100 receiving yards seven times to lead all Power Five receivers despite never once having a game of 100+ receiving yards in his career at Northwestern. He has that unique combination of elite route-running, reliable hands, and speed and strength to shed tackles and pick up yards after the catch. Perhaps most impressive has been his chemistry with both Muskett and Colandrea, as Washington has put up staggering numbers despite having two vastly different quarterbacks throwing him the ball this season.
4. Virginia’s defense features a handful of guys that are having solid individual seasons, but collectively this has been a unit that has given up a lot of yardage. What has been the biggest reason for some of the Cavaliers’ defensive struggles?
Recently, the biggest concern has been missed tackles. That cost the Cavaliers late in the Miami loss and was by far the most disappointing aspect of their loss to Georgia Tech. But for the entire season, the biggest issue has been that UVA's defensive line, which was supposed to be the strength of the team this season, has recorded only eight sacks in nine games, dead last in the ACC. Injuries have played a part in that outcome, but Virginia's inability to get to opposing quarterbacks is the No. 1 problem with the UVA defense this year.
5. What is the one thing that Virginia must do if they are to pull off an upset?
Compete at the line of scrimmage. In Virginia's two best performances of the season against North Carolina and Miami, the Cavaliers more than held their own in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The key to Virginia's win at North Carolina was running the football effectively and winning the time of possession battle. It'll be a tall task to replicate that success against Louisville, and it's especially unlikely after seeing the way Georgia Tech ran all over the Hoos last Saturday, but that's what will be required in order for Virginia to come away with an upset win on Thursday night.
(Photo of Anthony Colandrea: Amber Searls - USA TODAY Sports)
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