Opponent: Coastal Carolina
Where: Charlottesville
When: August 30, 6:00 pm
Line: Virginia -12
Keys For Virginia
Big Plays in the Passing Game
Starting QB Chandler Morris comes to Charlottesville from North Texas where he headed the number 3 offense in the country. Last season, he completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns. Only Shadeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Cade Klubnick finished with more touchdown passes.
Morris will be the most proven quarterback of the Tony Elliott era. The Cavaliers will have a chance to make plays in the passing game against Coastal Carolina’s secondary.
Whether it’s on a catch-and-run or a pass downfield, the Cavaliers should get, at least, three passing plays of over 20 yards.
Secondary Holds Up against Coastal Carolina Passing Game
New offensive coordinator, Drew Hollingshead, is a disciple of Mike Leach’s air-raid offense. Hollingshead has spent the last two seasons at Western Kentucky.
Last season, Western Kentucky led Conference USA in Passing Yards and was second in Total Yards.
Starting quarterback, redshirt junior MJ Morris, played at North Carolina State and Maryland prior to transferring to Coastal Carolina. Morris can make plays with his arm and feet.
Can Virginia’s secondary hold up long enough to allow the pass rush to get home without dialing up blitzes all night?
If they can’t this game could turn into a track meet.
Turnovers
The Cavaliers was 12th in Fumbles Recovered and 15th in interceptions. The defense will have to be more opportunistic this season.
That can start by forcing Morris into making bad decisions. When Morris is flushed out of the pocket, make him throw. Do not let him weaponize his legs. That could force him into a bad interception or two.
On offense, there’s no reason for an experienced quarterback like Morris to be fooled by anything he sees. If he makes the right decision, it could be a clean sheet for the Cavaliers.
