Encouraging Second Half Gives Hope for Virginia's Rushing Attack

After rushing for -9 yards in the first half vs. Tennessee, the Cavaliers posted 104 rushing yards in the second half, a promising sign for UVA's ground game this season

To say that the Virginia Cavaliers struggled to run the ball in the first half of their season-opening loss to Tennessee would be a massive understatement. UVA totaled -9 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes of the game, averaging -0.6 yards per carry. 

With the Cavaliers ultimately suffering a 49-13 loss, there were only a few positive takeaways, but one of them was the improvements UVA made in the ground game after halftime. In the second half, Virginia totaled 104 rushing yards, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt of 24 total carries. 

"I'm encouraged and optimistic," said UVA offensive coordinator Des Kitchings on Wednesday. "The game of football is a game of inches and we were off on our inches early in the game. We closed that gap a little bit and had some success driving the ball"

Some impressive runs from the Cavalier tailbacks elevated those numbers, but those runs were made possible by better blocking up front by the UVA offensive line. After allowing some significant penetration earlier in the game, the Volunteers had a more difficult time blowing up Virginia's rushing attempts in the backfield after halftime. 

"We covered up the blocks a little bit better, giving the backs a chance," said Kitchings. "There was some penetration early in the game. We were able to settle that down and eliminate the penetration."

Now with some running lanes available, Perris Jones and Kobe Pace took advantage. Both players rushed seven times for 39 yards, averaging a solid 5.6 yards per carry. Much of that production came on a single highlight drive midway through the third quarter, a drive which relied heavily on successful runs to the left side of the formation. Jones started the drive with an 11-yard rush and then Tony Muskett moved the chains with a 15-yard strike over the middle to Malachi Fields on third down. Pace found a hole for a solid 22-yard gain and then, two plays later, Jones split two defenders on the left side and broke free for a 17-yard touchdown, UVA's first touchdown of the season. 

First TD of the season belongs to Perris! 💨

📺: ABC | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/OX7q1BuBuA

— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) September 2, 2023

After a concerning first half that left some doubting if it was even possible for UVA to run the ball successfully, the Cavalier offensive line made tangible progress in their blocking execution and Jones and Pace showed that all they needed was a seam in order to deliver some effective runs. 

"The backs did a really good job of hitting it and getting downhill," Kitchings said. "That's what I love about all those guys. They run physical, they have some speed to them. Perris showed some elusiveness, so I like the complimentary skills of that group."

Kobe Pace, who made his UVA debut after spending the first three seasons of his career at Clemson, said that the team got more comfortable as the game went on and that was a key to Virginia's success running the ball. 

"I feel like we got more comfortable fitting up the guys more and it led to those explosive runs," Pace said. 

Des Kitchings agreed with that assessment and said that Pace in particular becomes a better runner as the game goes on. 

"He gets stronger and better as he goes," Kitchings said of Pace. "He's played some ball in some big environments too, so nothing fazes him." 

While there were definitely some positive things to build on from UVA's performance in the second half, Pace says the most significant takeaway was that the Cavaliers never wavered in their belief or their effort on the field. 

"I definitely saw some promising things out of these guys," Pace said. "I saw a lot of fight. I didn't see nobody quitting. I feel like we left it all on the line and gave it all we got."

Pace and the Cavaliers will look to back up that belief and deliver two solid halves of football when Virginia plays its home opener against James Madison on Saturday at 12pm at Scott Stadium. 

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