Virginia
UVA Football Report Card: Handing Out Grades for Virginia vs. North Carolina
Virginia was handed its third-straight loss in disastrous fashion on Saturday, getting blown off the field by North Carolina, who had lost its previous four games, 41-14 in Charlottesville. As we break down what we saw from the Cavaliers in their defeat to the Tar Heels and what it means moving forward, let’s hand out some report card grades for various players, position groups, and other categories to help evaluate Virginia’s performance in week 9.
Anthony Colandrea: D
Eight games into the season, Anthony Colandrea has, overall, been much better at taking care of the football than in his freshman year. Unfortunately for Colandrea and the Cavaliers, his two worst games in that regard have contributed to disastrous and costly defeats – first to Maryland in week 3 (2 interceptions in a 27-13 loss) and then on Saturday against North Carolina. While Colandrea was under duress for most of the game – taking nine sacks and getting hurried five more times – he didn’t deal with that pressure very well, failing to adjust with quicker decisions and quicker throws. And though he finished 16/28 for 156 yards, Colandrea was just 3/6 for 30 yards in the first quarter and 2/8 for 43 yards in the second quarter, leading to the lopsided 24-6 halftime deficit. Then came the interceptions, as Colandrea threw his first pick in 146 passing attempts on the first drive of the second half and broke a streak of four-straight games without an interception, then had a second interception returned 84 yards for a touchdown by Jahvaree Ritzie. Virginia had a lot of problems as a team on Saturday, but Colandrea having one of his worst games of his career was one of the biggest problems.
Offensive Line: F
Injuries were a major factor, as the Cavaliers were without starters Brian Stevens and Ty Furnish, who also happen to be the starting center and backup center. But even with those injuries, this was a horrendous showing for the UVA offensive line. Virginia gave up 10 sacks and finished with only seven total rushing yards on 29 attempts. On UVA’s first drive of the game, Noah Josey, who served as the center with Stevens and Furnish out, snapped the ball over Colandrea’s head, turning a 1st and goal from the 1-yard line into an eventual field goal. Virginia still took the lead, but you have to feel the game could have gone differently if the Cavaliers had set the tone with a touchdown there. UVA’s offensive line not playing a great game was somewhat expected with the injuries, but injuries seem to be a constant for this unit, and they must find a way to play well consistently even when a starter or two is out of the lineup.
Red Zone Offense: F
For the season, Virginia is now 12/33 in scoring touchdowns on red zone trips, just 36%. This time, the Cavaliers scored six total points on three red zone trips. There was the bad Noah Josey snap that cost UVA a nearly guaranteed touchdown. Virginia also had a 1st and 10 from the UNC 12-yard line, but two incomplete passes sandwiched around a short Colandrea scramble resulted in the Cavaliers settling for another short Bettridge field goal. Then there was the biggest disaster play of the game. Virginia had 1st and 10 at the UNC 16-yard line with a chance to make it 31-14 – still likely out of reach, but maybe on the way to making the final score respectable. Instead, Colandrea was intercepted by Jahvaree Ritzie and, partially due to a lack of hustle by the Cavaliers, the 6’4″, 290-pound defensive lineman was able to rumble 84 yards down the sideline for the touchdown, formally putting the nail in the coffin. UVA’s inability to execute in the red zone continues to be one of the team’s biggest issues. With just four games left in the season, it seems unlikely it’ll ever get resolved.
Tony Muskett: A
Before you ask: no, we’re still not pining for Tony Muskett to start over Anthony Colandrea; at least not yet. With that said, Tony Elliott said he’d be “evaluating” the quarterback position moving forward into the bye week. It must be acknowledged that Muskett has played well in his late-game opportunities recently and has also had a few good spot moments this season when he came in for single plays when Colandrea had to leave the field. On Saturday, Muskett completed 8/13 passing attempts for 125 yards and a long 68-yard touchdown pass to JR Wilson. That’s the second week in a row Muskett has nearly produced as many passing yards as Colandrea in significantly fewer snaps. While that production has usually been against the opponent’s backups in garbage time, the offense has generally looked better with Muskett running the show late than it has with Colandrea over the last three or four weeks – even the Boston College win had more to do with the defense. Even if Virginia considers a quarterback change, we’re not sure that’s gonna change the team’s fortune considering the way the entire team has played during this three-game losing streak.
Overall Offense: D
By the Numbers: Breaking Down Virginia’s Loss to North Carolina
Pass Defense: F
The Cavaliers were carved up by a third-string quarterback, as Jacolby Criswell completed 19 of 30 passing attempts for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Most of that went to J.J. Jones, who went for 129 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just seven targets. The Tar Heels had 10 big passing plays (15+ yards), including touchdowns that came on 37-yard and 31-yard completions. UVA’s defensive line had zero sacks for the second week in a row.
Run Defense: C
All things considered, this was not a terrible showing for the Virginia defense against one of the nation’s best running backs. Omarion Hampton racked up 105 rush yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Hampton didn’t have more production in part because UNC was having so much success passing the ball and because Hampton didn’t need to even be on the field late in the game. Virginia totaled four tackles for loss, but tackling was otherwise a significant issue for the Cavaliers.
Overall Defense: D
Special Teams: A
Will Bettridge made both of his chip shot field goals. Daniel Sparks punted four times for an average of 44.8 yards, including one that went 60 yards. There were no big returns allowed and no massive miscues. Of all of the things that went poorly for the Cavaliers on Saturday, special teams were not one of them.
By the Numbers: Breaking Down Virginia’s Loss to North Carolina
Virginia Football Suffers 41-14 Loss vs. North Carolina
Five Takeaways from Virginia Football’s 41-14 Loss to North Carolina
Virginia vs. North Carolina Live Score Updates | NCAA Football
Virginia
Colorado, Deion Sanders to hire former highly-touted DC as defensive assistant
Colorado is expected to hire former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve as its next linebackers coach, according to CBS Sports. Marve served as the Hokies DC from 2022-2024.
Marve has previous experience on defensive staffs at Vanderbilt, his alma mater, Mississippi State, Florida State and Virginia Tech. He’s been in the coaching industry since 2014 when he was brought on as a defensive assistant with the Commodores.
By the time he left his alma mater in 2018, he had worked his way up to inside linebackers coach. He was brought on at Mississippi State in 2019 as the Bulldogs’ defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach. His run there lasted one year before moving on to coach at Florida State for two seasons as the Seminoles’ linebackers coach.
ACC foe Virginia Tech would poach him away ahead of the 2022 season, where he stayed until he was fired following the 2024 season. He spent the 2025 season away from college football, and will now get another shot by joining Deion Sanders’ staff in 2026.
His playing days spanned from 2007-2011, where he has a three-time All-SEC linebacker for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Marve also earned Freshman All-American honors in 2008.
He’ll join a Buffaloes program that finished the 2025 season with a 3-9 record, which included a 1-8 record vs. conference opponents. This came in the fallout of their 9-win season led by current Cleveland Browns QB Sheduer Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Colorado wide receiver Dre’lon Miller plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal
Colorado wide receiver Dre’lon Miller plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Pete Nakos. He caught 20 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown this past season.
His 2024 season was a bit better. Miller caught 32 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns prior. He’s shown he can get the job done when there’s some solid quarterback play on offense.
Miller played high school football at Silsbee (Silsbee, TX), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 141 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted algorithm that complies all major recruiting media services.
Time will tell where he ends up next. There will certainly be plenty of interest in his services when the time comes.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Virginia
Virginia Democratic operative arrested on child pornography charges
WARNING: This story contains material some readers may find disturbing due to its graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia Democratic operative is accused of distributing child pornography.
Randon Alexander Sprinkle, 30, allegedly engaged in conversations with an undercover FBI agent in May of this year through the Jack’d app under the name “Randy.”
The 9-page affidavit states that Sprinkle asked the agent to move their conversation to Telegram, where he allegedly wrote “mostly into young, rape, incest – you?”
The arrest has prompted swift condemnation from elected officals who worked with Sprinkle in various capacities.
Richmond City Council Vice President Katherine Jordan said Sprinkle served as her 2024 campaign treasurer, handling campaign forms, events and financial reporting.
“What has been alleged is disgusting and abhorrent,” Jordan said in a statement. “I’m shocked and sickened.”
1st District Council member Andrew Breton also used Sprinkle’s services for campaign finance reports and event logistics.
“The allegations are shocking and disturbing. I am grateful that law enforcement is involved, and that justice is taking its course,” Breton said.
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, who has appeared in several photos with Sprinkle that he posted on X, also responded through spokesman Jared Leopold.
“Congresswoman McClellan is shocked by these appalling accusations which should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Leopold stated.
Sprinkle previously served as a leader in the Young Democrats of Virginia and held a financial director position with the Democratic Part of Virginia.
He has also been photographed with Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger. Spanberger’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
The FBI affidavit confirms that 68 files were extracted during a forensic sweep of Sprinkle’s electronic devices, some with disturbing titles. Legal expert Ed Riley said the investigation may have uncovered evidence of distribution through peer-to-peer networks where individuals exchange illegal video files and images.
If convicted on the single charge of distribution of child pornography, Sprinkle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison, with potential sentencing up to 20 years.
“If they find the images and they can connect you to the images, you’re not dealing with the merits of the case anymore. You’re dealing with the resolution that it’s going to be,” Riley said.
Sprinkle is currently being held at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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Virginia
Penn State transfer opens the door for a James Franklin reunion at Virginia Tech
Things are beginning to slow down for James Franklin since being hired at Virginia Tech in November. Sure, you can say that it never really slows down for a college football coach, but since signing his contract in Blacksburg, he has made major strides in recruiting, bringing the Hokies from near the bottom of the FBS to a Top 25 class with the Class of 2026.
Franklin has also been building his first staff at Virginia Tech. In both cases, recruiting and coaching additions, he has gone back to his Penn State roots to pluck both recruits and coaches. Heck, he is even reportedly bringing back former Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry, who was fired in September to open the door for Franklin to come to Tech, as his defensive coordinator.
The transfer portal opens up next month, and there are going to be several needs that Franklin and his staff are going to have to address. There are going to be several portal targets, and one of them announced he was leaving Penn State and made it clear that he was thankful for Franklin for his time in State College. Is it a sign of things to come when he enters the portal?
Penn State transfer Chaz Coleman opens door for reunion with James Franklin
It was reported by Hayes Fawcett of Rivals and On3 that five-star Penn State edge Chaz Coleman was entering the transfer portal. Coleman quoted the post on X, formerly known as Twitter, and made it a point to thank Franklin and his staff for believing in him.
“After much thought and consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal this coming January to pursue other opportunities. I’d like thank James Franklin and his staff for believing in me and teaching me what it means to believe in myself,” Coleman wrote.
Coleman becomes one of the most coveted players when the portal opens, and the Warren, Ohio native will have no shortage of suitors. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher played well as a freshman for the Nittany Lions with eight tackles in five games. Several of the top programs are going to be in on him. Don’t be surprised if Ohio State makes a major push for him.
As far as Virginia Tech goes, does Franklin get in the mix? That remains to be seen, but stranger things have happened. He would be a tremendous get for the Hokies, who need help along the defensive side of the ball along the line. Did he call out Franklin by coincidence, or is there an underlying message there? Most likely the first one, but we’ll see.
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