UVA training camp: QB battle rages on

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia has finished 21 practices in training camp and the battle for the starting quarterback spot rages onward between veteran Tony Muskett and young gunslinger Anthony Colandrea.

Wahoo fans are divided on who should start. Will Tony Elliott go with the proven commodity in Muskett, who is in his fifth year, won the starting job in last year’s training camp, and led Virginia to a stunning road upset over previously undefeated and 10th-ranked North Carolina?

Or will he roll the dice and go with Colandrea, a flashy, highly confident, pass-happy sophomore who shattered UVA’s freshman passing records last season?

The coaching staff believes it can win with either quarterback. Last year, Muskett was injury prone, but showed great grit and leadership by playing hurt. Colandrea provided thrills, but made enough freshman mistakes to negate some of his positives.

Both quarterbacks have worked hard to gain muscle and strength. Both have worked hard to eliminate mistakes from their games. It’s an open competition. Offensive coordinator Des Kitchings has made sure each quarterback has gotten plenty of reps with both the first team and second team so they’ll be familiar with all the personnel, and vice versa. Several of the receivers have said it makes no difference to them, that they have chemistry with both quarterbacks.

Coaches chart every move the quarterbacks make in practice and scrimmages. Ball security and decision making have been points of emphasis, along with passing accuracy.

“We want the quarterback play to be cleaner, taking care of the football,” Kitchings said. “Whether it’s in the pocket or extending plays outside the pocket, risk-reward. Let’s take our chances, but let’s take good chances. Not putting the ball in jeopardy.”

The OC said that’s where he has seen the most growth in both quarterbacks, which could help Virginia reverse some of last year’s misfortune when the Cavaliers lost five games by a combined total of 17 points.

While Muskett and Colandrea have dramatically cut down on mistakes throughout camp, it didn’t start out that way.

“Day one was like, ‘Holy crap,’” Kitchings said. “I mean, it was turnover galore. Since then, we’re not turning the ball over, not putting the ball in jeopardy.”

As physical as the game has become, it’s challenging to go through an entire season with one quarterback, as was the case last season. Muskett was injured in the first game against Tennessee and suddenly the eyes of Wahoo Nation were on the untested freshman Colandrea.

While he overachieved, sometimes he played like a freshman. The coaches hoped that when Muskett returned, he could finish the season and Colandrea could keep his redshirt. Didn’t happen.

Muskett showed great courage, playing with a bum shoulder that required surgery, leaving things in the hands of the rookie. Colandrea went through growing pains, but put up some eye-popping numbers and provided hope and excitement for the Cavaliers’ fan base.

“We’re giving them equal reps because we’re trying to plan,” Kitchings said. “Unfortunately as coaches, sometimes you plan for the worst and hope for the best. With that history of some injuries, we’re making different rotations in camp, wanting [teammates] to be comfortable playing with a guy that may not be a starter, that could be in a starting lineup, and that’s part of training camp.”

In camp, every play, every decision is charted.

“It’s all about the accuracy and the decision-making,” Kitchings said.

Let the best man win.