BREAKING: Bad news for Wahoo fans

Football attendance will be limited, Receiver lost for season; Running back opts out due to Covid

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall delivered some disappointing news to his fan base on Friday morning’s video conference with media.

One player has been lost for the season due to injury, another promising player has opted out for the season and according to state regulations, UVA will limit attendance for home games to 1,000 fans this season (unless that changes).

The Cavaliers have lost sophomore wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks for the season due to an injury the Louisiana wideout suffered in practice. UVA’s coaches have been high on Wicks since he emerged during his freshman campaign.

He appeared in 10 of the Cavaliers’ 14 games last season and caught three passes for 61 yards (20.1 average per catch), including a 44-yarder for a touchdown against Liberty.

Meanwhile, Mendenhall said that sophomore running back Mike Hollins, a native of Baton Rouge, La., is one of three players that have opted out for the season and is not in training camp. Mendenhall declined to identify players that have opted out until a reporter asked about him Friday and the coach decided to disclose that Hollins was one of those players.

Hollins played in 13 games as a true freshman, mostly on special teams, but did get 21 rushing attempts (11 of those against William & Mary), picking up 112 yards (5.3 average) and three touchdowns. Hollins was slated to be battling returning starter Wayne Taulapapa for the tailback spot in training camp.

Meanwhile, Mendenhall revealed that UVA plans on limiting attendance of home games to 1,000 fans at Scott Stadium. He said he expected most, if not all of those, would be players’ and coaches’ families. A university spokesperson confirmed the number and said it was part of the guidelines set by the state.

More from Mendenhall’s presser will be available later today on this website.