Virginia football falls flat on the road, losing 24-3 in a lopsided matchup at Illinois

Regardless of excessive hopes for a second win over Illinois in two years, the Cavaliers discovered themselves overwhelmed and out of whack en path to a 24-3 loss on the highway. Virginia senior quarterback Brennan Armstrong — even with the bevy of confirmed vast receivers at his disposal — struggled in an uncommon exhibiting after recording two interceptions and 0 touchdowns. Altogether, the Cavaliers (1-1, 0-0 ACC) appeared unrecognizable from the crew which dominated the Preventing Illini (2-1, 0-1 Massive Ten) 42-14 in 2021, with too many uncharacteristic errors plaguing them alongside the way in which. 

Within the first minutes of the competition, the Cavaliers truly flexed some defensive energy after an interception of Illinois senior quarterback Tommy DeVito’s go — his first try of the day. A fast three-and-out from the Virginia offense gave the Preventing Illini the ball deep in their very own territory, and as soon as once more the Cavalier protection managed to provide a turnover — a fumble a number of yards downfield from junior operating again Chase Brown. The latter turnover would yield the one factors of the day from the Virginia offense, who turned good area place right into a area purpose on the 11:08 minute mark within the first quarter. 

After one more spectacular possession by Virginia’s protection, issues began to take a flip for the worst. A fumbled punt return from senior vast receiver Billy Kemp led to a simple landing from the Illini, giving them a 7-3 lead off one other mistake by the Cavaliers. The offense — having proven flashes of brilliance towards Richmond — couldn’t discover its footing in any way as one other third-and-out resulted in a profitable drive from Illinois. Because of the operating of Brown, the Illini capped off a quick-hitting collection of performs with a 39-yard landing go to increase their result in 14-3. 

The collection of unlucky occasions continued for Virginia late into the primary quarter and early into the second, with a prolonged punt return, a 43-yard strike from DeVito and an ensuing landing pushing the Cavalier deficit to 18. A fumble restoration from the Virginia protection allowed Armstrong to transform a deep ball to junior vast receiver Lavel Davis Jr. — a play which was subsequently clouded by a missed Cavalier area purpose. Even at such an early juncture, the Illini appeared to have put the nail within the coffin. Each the offensive and defensive traces revealed their weaknesses via poor go safety and substandard run stopping, whereas Armstrong couldn’t join with the vast majority of his gifted receiving corps. 

The second half — capped by just one area purpose from Illinois late within the third quarter — witnessed a whole lack of offensive firepower by each side. Nothing might click on for the Virginia offense even after a halftime reset, with two interceptions from Armstrong solely furthering the battle to place factors on the board. Sophomore quarterback Jay Woolfolk — the starter within the Cavaliers’ 2021 matchup towards Notre Dame — finally noticed some motion and completed the sport as Virginia’s main rusher — having tallied one carry for 31 yards which acquired Virginia the closest to the endzone it had been all afternoon. Nevertheless, the mix of Woolfolk and Armstrong was not capable of ship a landing, turning it over on downs.

“He was throwing off his again foot, he had some vast open guys and, you already know, simply felt the strain and by no means might get settled to have the ability to undergo his progressions,” Coach Tony Elliott mentioned of Armstrong and his linemen’s struggles on Saturday. “So general, offensive line-wise, I used to be upset in how they performed.”

5 sacks befell Armstrong, who by no means appeared to achieve any footing within the lopsided loss. A very overhauled offensive line left the quarterback weak within the pocket on a number of events, but the senior additionally struggled to attach along with his vast receivers all through. junior vast receiver Dontayvion Wicks — the main receiver for the Cavaliers in 2021 — solely caught two passes for 23 yards, whereas Kemp broke his streak of 28 consecutive video games with a reception. 

Alternatively, the Virginia protection seemed stout at occasions and compelled a complete of 4 turnovers. One of many worst offensive performances in latest Cavalier soccer historical past overshadowed the defensive facet of the ball, who, regardless of their inconsistencies defending the run, made spectacular strides. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers must transfer on and study from this defeat as ACC play looms. 

“That was a tough day on the workplace proper there, however hey, you reside and also you study and develop, and we’re gonna discover a technique to get higher from it,” Elliott mentioned. 

An in-state opponent and a latest winner over Virginia Tech awaits in Previous Dominion, as Virginia returns to Scott Stadium Saturday to tackle the Monarchs (1-1, 0-0 SunBelt). Kickoff will begin at 2 p.m., and the sport will likely be televised on ACC Community.