Virginia, which defeated Duke at Scott Stadium last weekend, is looking to end a season with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2003. The Hokies, who finished 3-8 last season, are coming off a 35-28 loss to NC State, and they must win Saturday to become bowl-eligible.
Tech’s offense features two powerful runners: tailback Bhaysul Tuten and quarterback Kyron Drones. Tuten, a transfer from North Carolina A&T, has rushed for 610 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Drones, a 6-foot-2, 234-pound redshirt sophomore, has run for 592 yards and four TDs. He’s also passed for 1,750 yards and 12 TDs, with only three interceptions.
“He’s got a big arm, and they do a great job as far as running the quarterback,” Rudzinski said. “They’ve got a bunch of diverse schemes, and they’re going to do it. In a rivalry game like this, you don’t know if you’ll get that quarterback 15 times or 55 times. But at the same time, he can beat you with his arm. He’s got a big arm and he poses a lot of challenges.”
UVA defensive end Chico Bennett Jr. said: “Drones is a big boy. You gotta put a body on him, that’s for sure. You can’t go out there with a one-arm tackle. You gotta put a body on him and make sure you wrap up.”
Virginia’s defense is an unusual blend of true freshmen (Robinson, Walker, Buchanan, Hardy) and veterans like Bennett, Faumui, Sanker, Ahern, Akere, Westfall, Kyle, linebacker James Jackson and defensive tackle Jahmeer Carter. Ahern has been playing with a broken bone in his hand, and he’s inspired his teammates and coaches with his willingness to play with pain.
“One of the toughest kids I’ve ever been around,” Elliott said.
Rudzinski said: “It’s a great example of what we can persevere through and what we’re willing to do [when playing for] something bigger than ourselves.”
Ahern is one of many Cavaliers who are “playing through injury, through pain, because they love their teammates and they want to see this program do well,” Elliott said. “They want to be part of laying the foundation.”
In celebration of Virginia Legends, Thomas Jones and Rondé Barber, fans at Saturday’s game will receive a special rally towel!
🔶⚔️🔷#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/ywY9rr8asd
— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) November 24, 2023
Injuries have battered UVA’s defense, and “a bunch of young guys have had to emerge.” Rudzinski said. “It’s been awesome to see a bunch of really good…