As Virginia embarks on its first street journey of the season to Illinois this weekend, the Cavaliers have plenty of questions they will must reply with a purpose to knock off the Preventing Illini on Saturday in Champaign. Listed here are the 4 most necessary questions for the UVA soccer recreation at Illinois: 

1. Can Virginia cease the run?

After supplementing the roster’s depth on the place with 4 transfers this offseason, the reconstructed defensive position was imagined to be a power of the Virginia protection this season. The Cavaliers didn’t have an incredible begin on Saturday in opposition to Richmond. The stats will not leap off the web page – Richmond had 170 dashing yards on 35 makes an attempt for a mean of 4.9 yards per dashing try. Nonetheless, the attention take a look at offered rather more alarming outcomes. As was the case by means of the whole thing of the 2021 season, there have been a number of working performs the place Richmond’s tailbacks obtained 5 yards past the road of scrimmage earlier than assembly any resistance. UVA needs to be extra disruptive up entrance and higher at plugging up the gaps within the working recreation. 

Illinois will convey a a lot greater and extra bodily offensive line, blocking for the point of interest of the Illini offense: working again Chase Brown. After selecting 151 dashing yards in opposition to Wyoming, Brown amassed 199 yards on 36 carries in opposition to Indiana final week. If Illinois can constantly run the ball, it may spell hassle for the Cavaliers, as that can imply extra time with the UVA offense on the sideline. The Illini like to run the ball. Virginia has no selection however to cease them.

2. Can Virginia set up its personal run recreation?

Equally, the Cavaliers are hoping to take one other large optimistic step in direction of establishing a run recreation of their very own. The season-opener was a strong begin to that finish, as each Perris Jones and Brennan Armstrong eclipsed the 100-yard dashing mark in opposition to Richmond. Virginia can be set to get Miami switch Cody Brown and fifth-year Ronnie Walker Jr. again from harm this week, so we may doubtlessly see some totally different faces within the backfield on Saturday. Illinois could have hassle containing UVA’s receivers, as was the case within the assembly final season. However, whether or not Virginia may throw the specter of a dashing assault on the Illini will decide if the Hoos can dominate this matchup for the second season in a row. 

3. Does the UVA offensive line transfer ahead or step again from its efficiency in opposition to Richmond?

The Virginia offensive line delivered a serviceable efficiency in opposition to Richmond final week. Brennan Armstrong was sacked as soon as and hurried twice. Not dangerous, however the Cavaliers have been hardly examined to the fullest by an FCS opponent. The Preventing Illini could have greater and stronger athletes up entrance and the UVA offensive line should be regular to maintain Armstrong’s jersey clear. The Virginia receivers cannot harm the Illinois protection if Armstrong is on his again.

4 gamers – McKale Boley, Logan Taylor, Derek Devine, and Ty Furnish – made their first-career begins in opposition to Richmond final weekend. The unit carried out nicely sufficient, particularly contemplating it was the primary time all 5 of them (together with Dartmouth switch John Paul Flores) have performed collectively in a recreation setting. Garett Tujague’s offensive line should proceed to develop and the sport at Illinois can be a giant take a look at. The excellent news is that the Cavaliers ought to get senior sort out Jonathan Leech again from harm this week. Barring any points, he ought to take true freshman McKale Boley’s spot within the beginning lineup. 

Watch the video under to listen to Tony Elliott touch upon the efficiency of the UVA offensive line in opposition to Richmond and his expectations for the group heading into the Illinois recreation:

4. How does Virginia deal with the adversity and a hostile setting?

The Cavaliers have been capable of give Tony Elliott a win in his head teaching debut in opposition to Richmond, however that recreation in opposition to an FCS opponent lacked any semblance of actual strain. That will not be the case when UVA performs a top quality Illinois opponent in entrance of a hostile setting in Champaign on Saturday. The Illini are at the moment favored by 4.5 factors, which takes into consideration the issue of house area benefit. Tony Elliott has been blaring the Illinois combat tune over the speaker throughout follow this week in an try to get his gamers to get so used to the sound that they will not even discover it when it is performed within the recreation. 

The effectiveness of that technique is up for debate, however on the very least, the Cavaliers have needed to learn to keep communication in a loud, distracting setting throughout follow. Virginia did have some communication points in opposition to Richmond final week, together with a few unlawful substitution penalties. Such errors develop into extra probably, and extra pricey, in a loud street setting, so it is good that the Hoos are engaged on that this week. 

The Illini are going to need revenge for final yr’s 42-14 loss at Virginia and they’re additionally coming off of a painfully shut defeat at Indiana final week. The motivation Illinois is bringing into this recreation shouldn’t be misplaced on Tony Elliott, who has made positive to instill in his workforce that they have to match that degree of depth if UVA desires to take the victory on the street. Win or lose, we’ll be taught one thing in regards to the toughness of this Virginia workforce this weekend.

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