UVA’s greatest passer, Matt Schaub, hanging up NFL cleats after 16 years

Posted on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, 9:10 pm

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By Jerry Ratcliffe

Matt Schaub, the greatest passer in UVA history from 2000 to 2003, is hanging up his cleats after a lengthy NFL career.

Schaub has been backup to Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Matt Ryan the past four years, has played 16 seasons in the NFL. The 39-year-old first played for the Falcons as Michael Vick’s backup prior to being traded to the Houston Texans in 2007, where he started for several seasons.

He also played for the Raiders and Ravens after his time in Houston, then returned to the Falcons in 2016.

During his NFL career, Schaub started 93 of 155 games and finished with a career passer rating of 89.5. He threw for 25,467 yards and 136 touchdowns (91 interceptions), completing 2,148 of 3,348 pass attempts (64.2).

While at UVA under Coach Al Groh, Schaub set several passing records that still stand, including most touchdown passes in a season (28) and career (56) from 2000-03.

He also still holds these records: most career completions (716); most career attempts (1,069); most career passing yards (7,502); most 200-yard passing games (20); consecutive games with a TD pass (14); best completion percentage career (67.0) and season (69.7).

Schaub played in two NFL Pro Bowls in 2009 and 2012, named the game’s MVP in ‘09. He led the NFL in passing that season. At UVA, he was the ACC Player of the Year in 2002 and Continental Tire Bowl MVP in ‘03.