By Jerry Ratcliffe
After facing last week’s No. 1 offense in the country, Virginia’s defense is bracing for another stiff test this weekend at undefeated Louisville (3:30 p.m., ESPN2).
While the Cavaliers (4-1, 2-0 ACC) gave up 514 yards to Florida State, it was more than 100 yards less than the Seminoles averaged per game as UVA outscored FSU, 46-38. Louisville (4-0, 1-0) created some drama of its own last week, coming from 17 points behind to edge Pitt.
Despite giving up lots of yardage, Tony Elliott felt like his defense grew, handling FSU, forcing turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble), sacking elusive QB Thomas Castellanos five times and making two huge fourth-down stops.
“I think the two fourth-down stops ended up being the difference in the game because we gave it back to them three times,” Elliott said. “Imagine if [FSU] gets three turnovers and we don’t get the stops versus an offense that dynamic.”
In addition, Virginia converted two of those early Seminoles turnovers into touchdowns, as the Cavaliers built a 14-0 lead, gained momentum and confidence against the then-8th ranked team in the nation.
Elliott saw growth from his defense. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step forward. The coach feels like the defense needs to clean up some things in the run defense, particularly the safeties need to take some better angles and have some better fits, especially going into Louisville, which features one of the best running back groups in the country.
“We knew [Florida State] was going to make plays, but I thought that just from the competitive standpoint that we played fast and physical. I thought [the defense] gained a little bit of confidence coming out of that game,” Elliott said.
The coach pointed out that star linebacker Kam Robinson, who missed the first three games of the season with a collarbone injury, is just now starting to return to normal, that’s he’s not fully in game shape yet. Still, Robinson registered 10 tackles, a sack and a hurry.
Virginia’s pass rush continued to make positive steps with the two sacks, five hurries, including at least one pressure that didn’t get home, but caused Castellanos to make an off-balanced throw that was intercepted.
“I’m challenging some guys that I think can play better,” Elliott said. “I think we can get even better from a pressure standpoint as we go down the stretch.”
Two players in particular that Elliott challenged were defensive ends Cazeem Moore and Fisher Camac.
“I think they have another level they can get to,” Elliott said. “I like the interior rotation with our defensive tackles and I thought that Hunter Osborne (Alabama transfer) really showed up in the game, and that I saw some really good things out of Jason Hammond.”
Defensive coordinator John Rudzinski said the work his squad has put in during practice is paying off with an improving pass rush.
“Anytime we can influence the quarterback, that we can make that quarterback uncomfortable, it should allow us to play better coverage,” Coach Rud said Wednesday.
He pointed out that Ohio State transfer bandit Mitchell Melton is coming on strong.
“You just look at his role throughout his career, he’s a guy who just continues to get better,” Rudzinski said. “He’s done a great job as far as taking advantage of the way he trains. He does a great job in his preparation in the meeting room.”
Virginia’s pass rush was effective against FSU and appeared to get stronger late in the game, putting tons of pressure on Castellanos.
“That’s the goal, that’s what you want to be, the better-conditioned team, the tougher team in the fourth quarter,” Rudzinski said. “It’s really a testament to the whole staff in getting our guys ready from the recovery standpoint, the strength staff, and nutrition. You end up winning the fourth quarter.”
Virginia has outscored its opponents 26-9 in the collective fourth quarters this season, in addition to 11-3 in overtime.
Another player at the “bandit” position, Daniel Rickert, gave FSU fits with his pressure, particularly late in the game and in overtime. Rickert posted a sack and two QB hurries.
“We got a chance to rush the pass a little with some manageable second-and-longs and third downs,” Coach Rud said. “Dan likes to go hunt and there was an opportunity to go hunt. That young man is excited for the opportunity to see if he can just turn it loose and we’ve got to find ways to allow him to do so.”
Still, Rudzinski wasn’t totally pleased with the defense and is pushing his unit to raise its performance.
“You turn the film on and there’s things you thought you did well, that really you didn’t, there’s things where we have to grow, and that’s what we’ve got to do this week,” Rud said. “We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to play better than we did last week.”
The defensive boss said there were too many communication errors and some alignment issues that he wasn’t happy with.
“We’re going to have to be better with our feet and our hands against a Louisville crew that rolls off the ball, and that ball comes off their quarterback’s hand really well,” Rud said.
Louisville is a 6.5-point favorite over Virginia after rallying from behind to beat Pitt on the road. Pitt committed six turnovers to help the Cardinals stay unbeaten.
UVA has experienced only one win in Louisville, and even that was close (a 34-33 win in 2021). Overall, the Cavaliers are 1-5 at Louisville, a team that has won seven straight home games against all comers and has won 13 of its last 16 home games.
