Jordan Ellis
FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, Virginia's wide receiver Hasise Dubois (8) breaks past several North Carolina defenders for a score during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. As the start of fall practice approaches, the Cavaliers have to identify the playmakers most likely to fill the voids left by the graduations of Olamide Zaccheaus and Jordan Ellis. Enter Hasise Dubois and Joe Reed, the top returning receivers from a year ago. (Zack Wajsgras /The Daily Progress via AP, File)
Virginia looking for playmakers to help QB Bryce Perkins

By Hank Kurz Jr. Jul. 16, 2019 01:51 PM EDT

Notre Dame safety Jalen Elliott, left, is unable to stop Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) from reaching the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson advance to title game

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2018 05:24 PM EST

South Carolina's Shi Smith (13) runs as Virginia's Juan Thornhill (21) chases during the first half of the Belk Bowl NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Perkins, Zaccheaus lead Virginia over South Carolina 28-0

By Steve Reed Dec. 29, 2018 03:40 PM EST

File-This Nov. 4, 2017, file photo shows Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall reacting after a win over Georgia Tech in an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. Mendenhall said the extra practices have been critical to the development of the team's up-and-coming players as he tries to build the program, but for seniors like safety Juan Thornhill, who will be playing his final game, much more is at stake in the year the leaders have hyped a `new standard' for Virginia. (AP Photo/Zack Wajsgras, File)
Confident Bentley, South Carolina set to take on Virginia

By Steve Reed Dec. 28, 2018 03:27 PM EST

File-This Nov. 4, 2017, file photo shows Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall reacting after a win over Georgia Tech in an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. Mendenhall said the extra practices have been critical to the development of the team's up-and-coming players as he tries to build the program, but for seniors like safety Juan Thornhill, who will be playing his final game, much more is at stake in the year the leaders have hyped a `new standard' for Virginia. (AP Photo/Zack Wajsgras, File)
QB Bentley leads South Carolina vs. Virginia in Belk Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 28, 2018 02:13 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) tosses a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Overtime FG gives Hokies wild 34-31 win over Virginia

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 23, 2018 07:54 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins throws a pass against Ohio in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Nashville, Tenn. Virginia faces Liberty on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Virginia, Liberty meet in rare late nonconference matchup

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 09, 2018 01:10 PM EST

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) loses the ball as he attempts a pass as Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall (34) closes in during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Hall runs wild and Pitt beats No. 23 Virginia, 23-13

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 02, 2018 10:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, Virginia's quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) scrambles away from two North Carolina defenders in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. Pittsburgh faces Virginia on Friday. ( (Zack Wajsgras/The Daily Progress via AP, File)
Pittsburgh, No. 23 Virginia set for ACC division matchup

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 01, 2018 11:52 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2018, file photo, North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora reacts against Virginia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Chapel Hill, N.C. North Carolina (1-5) plays at Virginia (5-2) on Saturday, Oct. 27. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
Virginia expects tough game vs struggling North Carolina

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 26, 2018 12:13 PM EDT

Duke wide receiver Chris Taylor (82) reaches for a pass as Virginia cornerback Tim Harris (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. The pass fell incomplete. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Perkins leads Virginia past Duke 28-14

By Nolan Hayes Oct. 20, 2018 04:05 PM EDT

Miami quarterback Malik Rosier (12) is sacked by Virginia linebacker Zane Zandier (33) and defensive end Mandy Alonso, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Virginia uses defense to beat No. 16 Miami, 16-13

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 13, 2018 10:34 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins drops back to pass against Minnesota during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Minnesota 30-14. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 13 LSU beats No. 2 Georgia 36-16 at Death Valley

By The Associated Pres Oct. 13, 2018 05:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2017, file photo, Miami head coach Mark Richt walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Miami Gardens, Fla. Virginia led 28-14 early in the third quarter at Miami a year ago, but two touchdowns, one defensive, in a span of seven seconds pulled the Hurricanes even, and they scored the last 30 points in a 44-28 victory. The Two schools meet on Saturday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Virginia looks to finish the job in rematch vs No.16 Miami

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 12, 2018 02:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. This season is shaping up to be one of even greater parity in the ACC. The Tigers still have to play N.C. State, Florida State, Duke, and Boston College in their quest for another berth in the College Football Playoff. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
Football parity dominating the ACC _ except at Clemson

By John Kekis Oct. 10, 2018 11:49 AM EDT

Explosive Virginia offense sparks win over Ohio, 45-31

By Terry Mccormick Sep. 16, 2018 01:29 AM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall called the whole situation surrounding Saturday's game against Ohio "weird." Despite the obstacles and...

Virginia seeks better start this time against Spiders

By Hank Kurz Jr. Aug. 31, 2018 06:53 AM EDT
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Bronco Mendenhall remembers the day reality set in at Virginia. Two years ago, the Cavaliers played their...