Virginia Defense Stands Tall In Big Win Over North Carolina Saturday

When North Carolina trimmed Virginia’s lead to three late in the second quarter Saturday, the Cavaliers went into the locker room knowing the Tar Heels would be getting the ball back to start the third quarter.

The Wahoo defense made adjustments and came back out on the field determined to make a stop and get the momentum back on the home sideline.

They did just that.

“We were concerned about the tempo and momentum and play-making ability of North Carolina and we just needed to widen the gap,” said Bronco Mendenhall. “To be able to then address it right off the bat [to start the second half] generated more confidence with everybody, that what was said was then carried out.”

Mendenhall went on to say that it’s huge to have his players applying the coaching staff’s adjustments in real time.

“[Defensive Coordinator Nick Howell] at halftime said, ‘We need a three-and-out,’ he just kept reiterating it,” said sophomore linebacker Zane Zandier. “Not that we were thinking that when we went out there, but that’s kind of the mindset. Just three plays, get off, and that’s what we were able to do and I think that just helps. It’s just huge for us.”

After a Nathan Elliott incompletion and a short UNC run to start that opening drive of the second half, senior safety Juan Thornhill broke up a pass on 3rd & long to force the punt.

“They came out with momentum but we stole the momentum back,” said Thornhill, who led the team with seven tackles, “and that’s definitely a big thing for us, and we got the ball back to the offense.

“Our goal was just to come out and get a three-and-out because we had to flip the momentum back. We couldn’t allow them to go down and score a touchdown, so our mindset was just play hard and don’t allow them to get in the end zone.”

UVa scored on the ensuing trip and went up by 10, and then the defense got another stop as second-year outside linebacker Charles Snowden got his mitts on an Elliott attempt on 3rd & 6 around midfield.

“I’ve personally struggled getting to the quarterback this year,” admitted Snowden, “so Coach has talked about affecting the quarterback in different ways. And so even if I’m not getting a sack or getting pressure, batting it down at the line of scrimmage is the next best thing.”

The Heels’ next possession was likely one they’ll want to forget. The talented Dazz Newsome lost a couple yards on a reverse on 1st down before an incompletion on 2nd, and then sophomore linebacker Matt Gahm got up in Elliott’s face on 3rd & 12 to force a fourth straight UNC punt.

“Just had to make a few adjustments and it worked,” said senior OLB Chris Peace. “Credit to [Co-Defensive Coordinator Kelly Poppinga], they did an amazing job with the play calling.”

When the Tar Heels got the ball back, Peace got in on the act and notched his sixth sack of the season on 3rd & 10 and popped the ball loose before Elliott went down, and junior cornerback Bryce Hall recovered with 1:13 left in the third quarter, which led to a Cavalier touchdown (Bryce Perkins to Evan Butts) three plays later.

“I tried to bring [Elliott] down at first, but he kept swinging and that’s when I went for the strip,” Peace recalled. “Initially, I didn’t know if we got it, but I’m glad [Hall] did. When I got up, everybody was still celebrating, so I was guessing we got the ball back.”

After the Butts touchdown catch, the UVa defense again got off the field in three plays, and then made one last key stop before it was all over.

With the game on the line, time winding down and Carolina facing a 4th down, Virginia kept it a two-touchdown lead as Snowden weaved right through the UNC offensive line and applied heavy pressure on Elliott, whose pass attempt fell short to the Scott Stadium turf with 2:08 to go, sealing the game for the home team.

The play before, on 3rd & 5, second-year free safety Brenton Nelson knocked away an Elliott delivery to Thomas Jackson that would have kept the chains moving, but instead was one of seven crucial pass break-ups on the day for the ‘Hoos.

UVa owned the time of possession, controlling the pigskin almost twice as long as the Heels (39:05 to 20:55). When you break that down by quarter, Carolina was held to 5:10 in the first, 5:36 in the second, 5:05 in the third and 5:04 in the fourth.

“I was thrilled with the time of possession,” said Mendenhall.

UVa held the Tar Heels to just 66 yards on the ground, with an average of just three yards per carry. UNC came in averaging 188 rush yards per contest. Running backs Michael Carter (averaged 73 yards a game, only got 42 Saturday) and Antonio Williams (averaged 71 a game, netted 21) were bottled up for most of the afternoon.

“All week, stop No. 24 [Williams], stop No. 8 [Carter],” said Zandier, “and I think we did a pretty good job of that today. They’re tough runners, good running backs and their O-line was big, but I think we did really well.”

Snowden said the defensive effort was “huge,” and applauded the entire unit.

“We try to stop the run, that’s our biggest thing is stopping the run and then from there on we can dictate the game,” said Snowden. “Holding them to 66 yards, I think it’s a huge testament to the D-line, the linebackers, the DBs, and we also had a great scheme from the coaches that really helped us stop the run. This defense as a whole, that’s what we try to do every game.”

On the day, the defense forced a total of seven punts, and held North Carolina to just 4 of 14 (29 percent) on third downs.

The Cavaliers will look to keep the momentum rolling against a physical Pittsburgh team Friday night.