Virginia coach Tony Elliott is not afraid to tout the positives related together with his workforce getting into the season.
He hopes a lot of these attributes are on show in opposition to Coastal Carolina on Saturday evening in Charlottesville, Va.
“I believe you are going to like what you see,” Elliott mentioned. “The expectation that now we have contained in the constructing might be higher than any expectation (from followers). There is not any excuses.”
Elliott, in his fourth season after final yr’s 5-7 file, has compiled a roster that features 32 transfers and 22 freshmen. Coming in through the switch portal is quarterback Chandler Morris, who spent final yr at North Texas and is the son of Chad Morris, a former teaching colleague with Elliott at Clemson.
“He is every thing that I keep in mind him to be when it comes to the management,” Elliott mentioned. “It was actually, actually good to see that (throughout practices).”
Your complete Virginia teaching employees from final season nonetheless is on board, so the continuity is taken into account a blessing for the Cavaliers, who’ve gained seven of their previous eight season openers.
Coastal Carolina coach Tim Beck, getting into his third season, mentioned there is a totally different mindset among the many Chanticleers in comparison with a yr in the past. They’re attempting to shake off a 6-7 season and so the subsequent step comes with the start of a brand new marketing campaign.
“I am unable to even start to elucidate the distinction within the workforce make-up,” Beck mentioned. “You possibly can simply really feel it. … Our management, basically, as a soccer workforce is healthier.”
Beck named MJ Morris because the workforce’s beginning quarterback for the Virginia sport, although Coastal Carolina is anticipated to offer Tad Hudson and/or Samari Collier taking part in time as effectively.
“A really robust, proficient younger man,” mentioned Beck, who was a North Carolina State assistant coach when Morris performed there in 2022. Morris appeared in seven video games for Maryland in 2024.
Beck mentioned the Chanticleers have had fierce competitors on the receiver place. Jameson Tucker stays a part of the receiving corps after catching a team-high six landing passes final season.
One of many prime defenders within the Virginia secondary can be Ethan Minter, a sophomore at free security.
“Now his physicality is de facto beginning to present,” Elliott mentioned. “He is anticipating performs. He bought his arms on loads of balls, truly picked off a pair in fall camp. … He is in a position to see the large image.”
Virginia gained final yr’s assembly 43-24 at Coastal Carolina, with Anthony Colandrea (now at UNLV) throwing two landing passes. The Cavaliers constructed a 27-10 halftime lead.
–Subject Degree Media
