Hootie’s Forecast: Bryce Perkins Will Be The Difference Tonight

Depending on how tonight’s game goes, we all might owe Virginia offensive coordinator Robert Anae a big apology.

Cavalier fans were all over Anae last season, and this columnist took his fair amount of jabs at Anae as well over an offense that struggled to score and had no running game. Sometimes it was simply predictable and unimaginative.

Well, that wasn’t the case last week when Virginia pummeled FCS Richmond and amassed 500 yards of offense while dominating with a strong running game.

Anae said earlier this week that new quarterback Bryce Perkins was pennies from heaven.

“That’s what Bronco and I have been waiting for, a Thorterback,” Anae cracked a smile.

For those unfamiliar, Bronco Mendenhall labeled his ideal quarterback as a dual threat, passer and runner. Thunder and lightning like the old Norse legend of Thor – thus Thorterback.

Perkins was all of that last week against the Spiders. With great speed and instinct, Perkins blew away the Spiders’ defense. He left dazzled would-be tacklers in his wake for than a couple of times and opened up Anae’s offense in the process.

Last season, opposing defenses cheated their safeties into the box, knowing Virginia had a somewhat immobile quarterback in terms of the run. So, they made the Cavaliers’ offense one-dimensional. They knew the Wahoos were going to pass early and often.

With that in mind, they clogged the rush lanes and big, physical back Jordan Ellis had nowhere to run.

When the O-line cannot dominate or at least somewhat control the line of scrimmage, an offense has little chance.

That’s no longer the case.

UVa slot receiver Olamide Zaccheaus said after last week’s season-opening win that Richmond had to pick its poison: clog up the rush lanes as in the past and fall prey to Perkins as a running threat outside the edge, or respect the edge and allow the rush lanes to remain open.

Richmond had to respect Virginia’s outside rush early on as Perkins dashed for two first-quarter TDs. Because of that, Ellis pounded the belly of the Spiders’ defense all night long, rushing for a career-high 146 yards. Virginia had 300 yards rushing, more than it accumulated in the final five games of last season combined.

Tonight, in rain-soaked Bloomington (forecast is for rain all night and heavy at times), the Cavaliers may have to rely heavily on the run, but the same principles will apply. That could weigh in UVa’s favor because according to reports from Indiana’s win over Florida International last weekend, the Hoosiers were a little soft up the middle against the run.

If that’s the case, Ellis could have another field day. Or, if the Hoosiers decide to clog the middle, then Perkins and the option could pile up some impressive numbers.

With sloppy weather on a natural turf, ball security will be at a premium, particularly if the Cavaliers choose to run much option. With Perkins pulling the ball out of his back’s bellies and keeping, or handing off to yet another running back, Richmond’s defense looked confused at times as to who really had the ball. That could be a key to UVa’s success tonight.

Meanwhile on the defensive front, Virginia should be more prepared to face Peyton Ramsey than last year when he came off the bench and dominated the game.

Indiana’s starter, Richard Luglow, had torn up Ohio State with his passing arm two weeks prior, and made the Buckeyes sweat before they finally took control of the game midway through the third quarter. Mendenhall’s defensive game plan was all about stopping the Hoosier passer.

Virginia did such an effective job at accomplishing that facet of the game, that Indiana pulled the starter and inserted Ramsey, a dual-threat guy, who kept the Cavaliers on their heels all night. While he only ran for 40 something yards, they were effective runs. That also allowed him to complete an incredibly high number of passes.

The Hoosiers are without their two leading rushers from last season, one due to a suspension, another tore his ACL last week and is lost for the season. Still, IU appears to have plenty of depth at that position.

This could be a slugout if Virginia’s defense can’t find an answer for Ramsey.

Personally, I think Perkins will be the difference tonight.