Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia football's first win shows promise for Bronco Mendenhall

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Virginia football started the season 0-3 including a loss to Richmond. Saturday they ended the losing streak against previously undefeated Central Michigan.

Anyone who’s followed ACC football over the last few seasons knows Virginia football became a doormat. Bronco Mendenhall knew it when he became the head coach last year. It would take time to dig them out. Still, his offenses at BYU were reasons to have positivity towards the program.

It was evident early that it would take a while for the Cavaliers to become relevant. Entering Week 4, they were matched up with a strong mid-major opponent in the Central Michigan Chippewas. The Chippewas came into the contest riding high. They beat a Top-25 Oklahoma State squad in the infamous referee debacle and carried a 3-0 record.

They came to Virginia and failed to show up in the first half. The Cavaliers jumped out to a 28-0 first-half lead. Junior transfer quarterback Kurt Benkert was the catalyst for Virginia. He threw two touchdown passes on the way to building the lead. Regardless, the Cavaliers somehow managed to give away the 28-point lead.

That’s when Mendenhall truly showed his offensive genius. He allowed Benkert to be aggressive resulting in 21 unanswered points and three more touchdown passes.

The Cavaliers head coach showed why he came to Charlottesville. Mendenhall carried his aggressive air-it-out approach from Provo. Virginia hasn’t had a solid starting quarterback since Marques Hagans who started for two seasons (2004-2005). Luckily, it seems they’ve put the decade long question behind them.

The McNeil Effect

Benkert started his career at Eastern Carolina. Current Virginia defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeil coached Benekert during his head coaching tenure at ECU. He named Benkert the starter prior to the 2015 season but an injury derailed his season before it started. McNeil was fired following the season. He would resurface in Charlottesville along with his quarterback.

Benkert decided to use the “graduate transfer” rule to rejoin his old coach. He earned the starting job and immediately made an impact.

In his first four starts, Benkert threw for 1,119 yards, 10 touchdown to five interceptions. In addition to the numbers, he continues to flash his athleticism and arm strength. For instance, on the go ahead touchdown, Benkert illustrated both. He rolled out to his left and threw across his body to a wide open Olamide Zaccheus resulting in a 82-yard touchdown.

In fact, the majority of his throws were absolute dimes. I understand its just one win, but have faith in the program. Mendenhall’s tradition of winning makes the best case that they’ll be back.