CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA- The Virginia Cavaliers were able to get a victory, with no turnovers since 2009, today in front of a crowd of 38,828.
The Cavaliers came into this game wanting to take control early and thats exactly what they did. On their second offensive drive of the game the Cavaliers were able to find the endzone on a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Jordan Ellis. It was a 13 play, 80 yard drive for Virginia.
Late in the second quarter, Virginia was faced with a fourth and nine from William and Mary’s 34 yard line where Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert completed a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Andre Levrone to put the Cavaliers up 14-0 right before the half. William and Mary struggled in the first half only accumulating four first downs and 68 total offensive yards in which 54 of those yards game on the ground.
On their first drive of the second half, William and Mary converted on a 41-yard field goal by Kris Hooper for their first points of the game. Unfortunately for William and Mary the Cavaliers answered on their next drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Benkert to Olamide Zaccheaus to extend the Cavalier lead to 21-3. The Tribe were able to find the end zone before the end of the game where the Cavaliers walked away victorious in a 28-10 win.
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall praised the team’s effort compared to last years home opener:
“We looked more mature, more confident, looked more consistent, more poised and I think just played a higher level of football in our opener from beginning to end than a year ago.”
Virginia Cavaliers Offensive Standouts:
QB Kurt Benkert: 27-39 626 yards, 3 TD
RB Jordan Ellis: 83 yards, 1 TD
WR Olamide Zaccheaus: 56 yards, 1 TD
Virginia Cavaliers Defensive Standouts:
Malcolm Cook: 13 total tackles – 1 for a loss of 4 yards
Quin Blanding: 12 total tackles
Juan Thornhill: 10 total tackles – 1 for loss of 3 yards
The Cavaliers will take on Indiana Saturday September 9th at 3:30 PM at Scotts Stadium.
