When Virginia coordinator Robert Anae and quarterbacks coach Jason Beck were scouting the Ohio defense, they must have been champing at the bit to unleash Bryce Perkins “the passer,” on the Bobcats’ secondary.
Until last Saturday, Perkins was known more for beating you with his legs than his arm. His performance in Vanderbilt Stadium, in a game moved to Nashville because of potential hurricane issues, Perkins showed that teams better not sleep on his passing skills.
UVa’s junior quarterback completed 25 of 30 pass attempts for 379 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio in a Cavalier victory.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall pointed out that improving Perkins as a passer was the target when he arrived from Arizona Western. Virginia already knew that the former Arizona State quarterback was a natural runner and a natural athlete.
“Coach Anae and coach Beck, and I, have worked really hard to find what throws [Perkins] currently is comfortable with and to whom and in what situations and then against what looks,” Mendenhall said this week. “So those designs, the pass play plan for that game matched perfectly his current ability level versus the looks [Ohio] gave us.
“He was comfortable, he was rhythmical, and he was successful based on his preparation within the design he was given, and he was given a good design,” Mendenhall added.
Because Mendenhall has a strong defensive background, he now meets with the offense early each week and describes what opposing defenses are doing, and why, which helps those offensive players clearer understand what they’re going up against.
He explained that when an opposing defense chooses to play off coverage, mainly zone, that allows Perkins to attempt “possession throws” for short to mid-range gains that keep the chains moving, passes that explosive receivers such as Olamide Zaccheaus can use their abilities for run after catch for bigger gains.
When a defense goes man-to-man, there is a chance for the quarterback run game and other areas vulnerable to be exploited.
Perkins said Monday that any time he sees Zaccheaus, known affectionately as simply “O” to his teammates, one-on-one, he knows a completion has the potential to evolve into a big play. That’s exactly what happened against Ohio when “O” took short passes and turned them into touchdowns of 77 and 85 yards.
“Hardly any defensive back is going to tackle ‘O’ by himself,” Perkins said. “Anytime you get that one-on-one matchup, there’s a threat to take it to the house.”
One reporter tried to get in a humorous jab at Perkins, asking that on those long TDs, does he sprint down to the end zone to greet his receiver.
“I make sure I meet him on the way back,” Perkins laughed.
The QB did a good job of distributing the ball to his playmakers against Ohio, something Perkins believes he can build on. In fact, he commented that Virginia hasn’t come close to opening up its playbook to opponents after three games.
“The playbook we have run the last two games (Indiana and Ohio) isn’t complete,” he said. “We have multiple guys that have big play potential, including TK (true freshman speedster Tavares Kelly).”
While he has enjoyed higher percentage completion days as a high school passer, his experience in Nashville against the Bobcats was exceptional. Completing 25 of 30 against “air” is difficult, let alone against a live secondary.
“It was definitely a good day, an efficient day, a day to build on going into Louisville,” Perkins said. “I just felt comfortable back there. I had a good grip on the ball, the weather was great, and so it was a good day to sling it around.”
Louisville is giving up an average of 198 yards per game through the air, while UVa is averaging 225 yards throwing the ball per game.
After three games, opposing defensive coordinators are trying myriad of schemes to defend the dual-threat Perkins.
That fact is causing Anae, Beck, and Mendenhall to become more creative to counter any game plans opponents are putting together to attempt to contain Perkins. The three were accustomed to doing likewise when they were together at BYU.
“It’s definitely harder [for opposing defenses to defend him] when there’s not just one thing they can key on,” Perkins said. “It puts more stress on the defense and defensive coordinators.
“I’m sure game plans will be adjusted based on this past week, but that’s what our offense does, big plays on the ground, through the air, Jordan Ellis, me, or our receivers,” Perkins said.
That’s what Virginia will put out on the field against Louisville this Saturday in the Cavaliers’ ACC opener (12:30 p.m.) at Scott Stadium in a huge early season game for both teams.