Football Notre Dame: Virginia Cavaliers Q & A with Streaking the Lawn

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I think we can all agree that the emotional wounds of another heartbreaking defeat in a great match have left all the fans of our Irish Lady Fighting feeling a bit unprepared and vulnerable for the remaining 9 games.

After the Irish had failed in a potential attempt to win the match and eventually lost to Georgia Bulldogs 23-17, No.3, all doubts and questions about whether Notre Dame had already been eliminated from the discussion College Football Playoff immediately began to materialize. If ND wins, though, and gets some results in a few regular season games and conference title, it's still possible for our heroes to sneak into the PCP with a 11-1 record and their only defeat against an elite Georgia team (who would also probably need to make the CFP, probably as a champion of the SEC, in this scenario).

Anyway, for the Irish No. 10 to do the same, they still have many games to play that could annoy them, including Saturday's home game against the Virginia Cavaliers, ranked 18th. Bronco Mendenhall has put in place a solid program that continues to improve each season. The Wahoos will come to South Bend with a stifling defense and an upward hype that would have at least some people thinking that the Irish could be on their guard. after such an exhausting match in Athens.

So, to make sure we're all ready for what might be another tough and tight match between ranked teams, I spoke to Caroline Darney, editor of Streaking the Lawn, to understand the ceiling for this UVA team, how Mendenhall has turned the program around, key players into attack and defense, an All-Riders casino breakout crew, and more.

Discover all the fantastic knowledge Caroline has given us below.

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1. Virginia is 4-0 and appears to be the first pilot for the Coastal Division of ACC. How do you see the rest of the season, what is the ceiling for this team and, becoming completely ahead of ourselves, do you think that UVA could give Clemson a chance to make a living in the title game? l & # 39; ACC?

Caroline Darney: Looking at the rest of the calendar, it's so hard not to be a little behind on ourselves. After this match, it is likely that the Hoos will be favored in all their remaining matches.

Louisville seemed better against ND than I would have imagined, and Carolina does what it is, but I do not really know what to do with Duke or Virginia Tech. Which team from Miami will see Virginia? Whoever fought against central Michigan, or who had a great time against UNC?

Pitt's win for the opening of the season was remarkably huge for things to go in the right direction for Virginia. Following a win over FSU, she broke the conference record 2-0 before the Hoos had a start. I still believe that the Coastal is a place to go in Virginia.

As for giving a run to Clemson for their money … yeeeeesh. They are really good. No one knows better than UVA fans that games are played for a reason, but not losing to more than 20 years in this game seems to be a global victory.

2. The Wahoos record has steadily increased every year under the mandate of Bronco Mendenhall from 2-10 to 6-7 at 8-5 last year. Today, UVA is 4-0 and is in the top 25. What did Mendenhall bring to Virginia and how was he able to reverse the trajectory of one? program that seemed locked in mediocrity under his predecessor, Mike London?

Caroline Darney: Mendenhall has brought improvement and consistency, and that makes me so happy.

The turnaround was difficult. Losing in Richmond to start your term is NEVER what you want, but I think this match showed how much this team has had to move forward. Learning not to lose is one of the most difficult things a new coach can teach a team that has had as much difficulty as Virginia. Mendenhall made progress in recruiting that made all the difference.

The Cavaliers do not have all the flashy names with stars, but they have solid players that fit the system well and can grow under the coaching staff (hmm, that sounds like a national champion program on Grounds also). The cupboard was empty, but Mendenhall has established more progress and depth … we can not exaggerate the importance of that.

3. Let's talk about quarterback Bryce Perkins – what are his strengths and weaknesses, and how do you see him facing a defense of Notre Dame who has played exceptionally well against Georgia, but who may be a little exhausted and to be sidelined this weekend?

Caroline Darney: Perkins is the man. He is a solid, not stellar, passer-by and one of the most elusive QBs in the game. When you think you've packed him, he suddenly finds himself 10 meters off the ground and starts a first.

Virginia has not been a deep bullet / explosive threat, but Perkins is confident, accurate and efficient within 7-15 yards. He made some questionable passes (against William and Mary, mediocre choice against FSU in the first training), but he is a smart player overall who systematically puts the team in a position to succeed. He was asked to run less this year (thank God), but with some questions to OL (the starting center missing the last game), he did not have the time needed for fans of Virginia.

I'm curious to know how that will go, as the Louisville Puma Pass has been able to play a few games in the opening match against the Irish, and Perkins can take advantage of his legs if opportunities arise. It also has a very different QB style from Jake Fromm, so I can see, potentially, problems as the Irish move from a pocket passport to a QB that is a threat to the race.

4. Which players occupy the position on the UVA offensive for which Notre Dame should worry?

Caroline Darney: My fellow writer Paul would oppose the use of the skill and I would not name a lineman, but I will go with Joe Reed and Wayne Taulapapa.

Reed, a wide receiver, is a guy who makes things happen when the ball is in his hands. He rushed for 215 yards on the ground with three touchdown receptions, and added a punt return of 100 shots against William and Mary. The offensive coordinator has also taken the habit of recovering the ball with Reed, so keep your eye open. After the attack, he has the ability to defeat the defenders.

Taulapapa is the main ball carrier. The racing game in Virginia is a little skinny (see: previous comments on offensive line struggles), but Taulapapa is the kind of runner you like to see. His legs never stop moving and he has demonstrated his ability to pick up large distances. He is also outstanding on the goal line with five touchdowns during the season.

5. Which groups of Cavalry defense positions could cause trouble for Ireland on Saturday, and which, in your opinion, could Ian Book and his team exploit to move the ball up and down? What are the big defensive names that Irish fans can expect to hear again and again in this match?

Caroline Darney: Wooo I love this defense. The linebacker, led by Charles Snowden and Jordan Mack, does not forgive. Virginia's defense is tied with Florida in first place in the country with 20 sacks of the season, and this pair has combined for eight sacks and 12 TFLs. I also like high school, and it's hard not to play with American Bryce Hall. I would not like Hall to follow Chase Claypool either.

The most likely way to move this defense on the ground is probably to give Book a solid pocket and Book to take out the ball before the blitz. Virginia likes to set up creative blitzes to create disturbances. It is therefore essential to avoid troubles in the backfield.

Beyond Snowden, Mack and Hall, you'll probably hear a lot from Zane Zandier (ZZ Stop), Aaron Faumui and Joey Blount.

6. Our Lady has a second-year RB named C'Borius Flemister. What are the best / funniest / most ridiculous names in Virginia's lineup, and do some of them compare to those of my C'Bo guy?

Caroline Darney: I have to go with my main guy, Hasise Dubois, as the best name on the list. It's 1. just a fabulous name and 2. SO fun to say with an enthusiastic commentator's voice (you do it now, I know it). On top of that, he is an excellent catcher. So there are usually a few opportunities to say that during a match.

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7. Karaoke battle between Brian Kelly and Bronco Mendenhall – What songs does each coach (s) sing, who has the best stage presence and who has the best charisma, and who ultimately wins?

Caroline Darney: Let me set you up.

It's a restaurant and coaches Kelly and Mendenhall are there. No really wants to sing, but the staff of the ND forces Kelly to make a number. A typical guy, Kelly takes the microphone and heads to the center of the stage. The introduction of the soft battery "Fly Me to the Moon" and Kelly hits the crowd with Frank Sinatra. It is a bit dapper, but the crowd is involved. When he finishes, he looks at Mendenhall – who really did not want to sing and did not plan to do it – and gives him a look at you.

Not one to refuse a challenge, Mendenhall gets up and goes to the DJ. Without hesitation, he tells him what song he wants and goes to the stage. The first notes of "The Sound of Silence" begin and Mendenhall destroys the 3:05 of the haunting melody of Simon and Garfunkel while the entire restaurant is fascinated.

Mendenhall takes this one.

8. You bring together a team to achieve the theft of the century in a casino in Las Vegas. Which Virginia football players / coaches (past or current, your choice) do you convince yourself to join the cause in the "assemble the group" assembly, and what particular skill does each bring to the table?

Caroline Darney: I've been thinking about it for a long time and I'm still not sure if I'm happy with my answers, but that's it.

I take Perkins as the driver of my getaway. Who better than someone who is almost elusive? I definitely have Bronco Mendenhall as team leader. He is a good tactician and brings only people I can count on. Chris Long and Brickashaw Ferguson are my muscles. I mean, go yes. I want former scorer Lester Coleman to be my guy in the truck controlling the stop lights, and finally Heath Miller because he is my favorite.

9. Did Virginia fans recover from the winner of the 2015 Kizer-to-Fuller match? Where is this super-sad fan these days?

Caroline Darney: I do not know what game you're talking about, it does not seem familiar to me.

The very sad fan is probably less sad now that the basketball team has won a national championship (which I am legally required to remind you of).

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10. Prediction time: give me the final score for UVA @ ND, who wins and your reasoning.

Caroline Darney: I come and go according to the day and time, but I will stick to my prediction before the season and say it's going to be a slim victory in ND, like … 28-24. I think Virginia will keep her head up, but against a top-10 team on the road, no ACC team beat ND in the rankings in 20 tries … that's too much.

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I want to thank Caroline for all her thoughtful and fantastic answers to my questions, even the most ridiculous ones. Make sure to check his work, along with the rest of the Streaking the Lawn staff, on their site for all of Virginia / ND's coverage from the enemy's point of view as the game approaches. Saturday (in addition to some of my answers to their questions later this week).

In addition, I strongly encourage you to follow Caroline on Twitter (she's hilarious and loves UVA sports, as well as sports in general), and also check out Streaking the Lawn account for all the last minute stories and news to come this weekend.

That's all for me on this one, guys, give me my preview of the game on Friday and go to ir irish!

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