Stone steps in as UVA’s starting QB if Armstrong can’t answer the bell

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Bronco Mendenhall confirmed that Virginia’s starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong suffered a concussion in Saturday’s loss against NC State, but may be able to return because it was his first-ever concussion.

Armstrong, who took a blow to the helmet from Wolfpack free safety Tanner Ingle late in the second quarter, will have to clear concussion protocol in order to return to practice. Tanner was ejected from the game for targeting.

Until Armstrong can return, the Cavaliers will turn to senior Lindell Stone, a 6-foot, 240-pound veteran out of Woodberry Forest.

“Lindell is our quarterback if Brennan can’t go,” Mendenhall said during his Monday presser.

The coach said he was encouraged by Stone’s settling effect when he came into the game, especially after not having taken that many reps during game week.

Stone completed 30 of 54 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, and was not sacked as the Cavaliers went to a full-mode passing attack for the rest of the game. Prior to that game, Stone had played in only four games during his UVA career and was 4 of 12 passing for 15 yards and was intercepted three times.

Meanwhile, it appears that true freshman Ira Armstead will slide into this week’s backup quarterback spot behind Stone unless Armstrong is cleared to play. Mendenhall has noted several times how impressed he was by how quickly Armstead has picked up the Virginia offense.

Keytaon Thompson, a junior transfer from Mississippi State, is apparently out of the equation. Mendenhall confirmed that Thompson had injured a shoulder during training camp, which has precluded him from playing quarterback, and therefore he has switched to wide receiver.

Thompson is listed as a possible starter at the H-back position this week along with Tavares Kelly, who is probable after missing last Saturday’s game.

Mendenhall also said that starting free safety Joey Blount, who sat out Saturday’s game, is expected to play against Wake Forest this weekend.