All eyes on Kitching’s offense against Coastal’s run defense

By Jerry Ratcliffe

According to new Coastal Carolina defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson, there are three things he believes in: death, taxes and stopping the run.

The latter is the main concern today when Johnson’s defense aims to stop Virginia’s running game cold, when the two teams meet in the season opener (6 p.m., Scott Stadium, ACC Network).

Tonight’s game should be a test of will, as the visiting Chanticleers will be focused on stopping the run and Des Kitching’s Virginia offense hopes to establish a reliable running game right out of the gate. If, for some reason, the Cavaliers find it difficult to run the ball, then certainly they can bank on the golden arm of new quarterback Chandler Morris to get the job done through the air.

“It could be a big test for us up front with [Coastal’s] structure, their defense,” Kitchings said. “They play some odd spacing, some four-down spacing, some slant movements, so our synchronization up front of our guys working together in the combinations will be critical to give our running backs the opportunity to run the football. We’re not going to back away from that being a standard of ours.”

Johnson, who came to Coastal from Louisiana Tech, brought some of his players with him. Last season, his defense at Tech finished No. 12 in the nation in total defense (308.4 ypg). He has been called one of the most innovative minds in the game after building that reputation for 16 seasons at Northern Iowa before shifting to Louisiana Tech.

Certainly the Chanticleers will throw all their looks at UVA’s offensive line to see if they can handle Coastal’s desires to stop the run. Kitchings realizes the pressure that will be placed on the Cavaliers’ linemen.

“I like what I have seen with the left side of the O-line continuing its continuity with McKale Boley (left tackle) and Noah Josey (left guard), and then with the addition of Brady Wilson (transfer from UAB at center), that’s been good,” Kitchings said. “Right side has come along, especially with (tackle) Wallace (Unamba), who has capitalized on his opportunities after injuries at that spot. Then at right guard, to get Drake Metcalf back fully healthy.”

Kitchings also pointed out the depth on the right side of the line with Ethan Sipe at guard, Jack Witmer at tackle and Noah Hartsoe at center.

“All those guys were available to us all throughout training camp to build as a group. As soon as those five [starters] can play and synchronize together, the better it is for us up front, not just in the running game, but protecting the quarterback in the passing game. It all starts up front,” Kitchings said.

UVA has four capable running backs to throw at Coastal, with Xavier Brown, who had a big day against the Chanticleers last season, along with new additions J’Mari Taylor (NC Central) and Harrison Waylee (Wyoming). Also, there’s Noah Vaughn returning after a season plagued by injuries.

Coaches have noted that Taylor is an underrated back who can take it to the house. Waylee had a 70-yard touchdown run for Wyoming against Texas last season, so there are experienced players in Virginia’s backfield.

Kitchings said he has liked Taylor’s consistency in everything he has done during camp — not only running the ball, but as a pass protector and as a pass receiver.

“His consistency in hitting the singles and the doubles,” the offensive coordinator said. “He has the ability to go home run. A lot of times backs can miss a read or miss a cut and get a bare minimum of three yards. J’Mari has shown the ability to get some chunk plays.”

Virginia wants to use a balanced attack, so expect the Cavaliers to put the ball in the air behind Morris, who had the fourth-most TD passes in major college football last season behind only Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and Cade Klubnick. Two of those are in the NFL and Klubnick is Clemson’s veteran starter this season.

Chandler will have lots of targets to gun for, as many as eight or nine wide receivers according to Kitchings.

“Our plan is to play all those guys,” Kitchings said. “What’s that breakdown? I have no idea, but we’ll play them.”

Jahmal Edrine (Purdue), Cam Ross (JMU) and Trell Harris (returnee from UVA) will all start, but there’s plenty more where they come from, including Eli Wood, Kameron Courtney and Jayden Thomas. Then there’s three freshmen who have been spectacular in training camp: Dillon Newton-Short (Matoaca), Isaiah Robinson (Chester) and Josiah Abdullah (Columbus, Ga.).

How many of those receivers are deep threats? Ross, Harris, Abdullah and Edrine.

“That’s one of the things we tried to address in the offseason was to add speed to our receivers room,” Kitchings said. “Last year, when Trell (Harris) went down, that really impacted some of our speed, so we feel like we have a lot more depth and ability to push the ball down the field, but we’ve got to win man coverage. There’s multiple ways to do that, but if you’ve got guys that can threaten defenders, the verticalness, then maybe we can back them off a little bit.”

Harris, who has fought back from a hamstring issue in training camp, declared himself healthy and ready to make some big plays as he did early last season. He has speed to burn and even more confidence, something he’s never lacked.

Asked how he gets separation from man coverage, Harris smiled and said, “If I’m even, I’m leavin’,”  meaning if the defender pulls up beside him, he has another gear.

Like we said, no lack of confidence from Harris, a fourth year who transferred in from Kent State before the ‘24 season.

Kitchings said that because Newton-Short and Abullah enrolled early, they were here for spring ball, so it doesn’t feel like they’re freshmen. Both are full of confidence and are not timid.

“To be in this environment as a first-year and come out and compete and blend right in with the rest of the team, it’s almost like they’ve been here for a while,” the OC said. “And with Isaiah, who didn’t get here until the summer, I won’t use the word surprise, but he really flashed in fall camp. His ability to learn and compete, his ability to make plays, his ability to go down the field has been impressive.”