PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Bryce Perkins was efficient but not flashy in an ugly 10-point loss to Pittsburgh. Perkins completed 17-of-24 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown but was one-dimensional and couldn’t get anything going with his legs. When Virginia’s offense is clicking, Perkins is able to get on the edge and run the football but was held to minus-7 yards on the ground against the Panthers. Look for Perkins to use his legs more against a struggling Liberty offense.
–RB Jordan Ellis has become less of a weapon than he was earlier in the season due to the offensive line troubles. Ellis has broken the 80-yard mark in just one of his last six games and is trying to regain the form he had earlier in the season that saw him go for 146 and 171 yards respectively in two of Virginia’s first three games.
–LB Jordan Mack returned against Pittsburgh after missing four games with a shoulder injury. Mendenhall said after the game that Mack “showed effort but not consistency” as he tries to regain his form. Despite his rustiness, Mack recorded six tackles and will get the chance to test game speed one more time at home this season before the Cavaliers play their final two games on the road.
SERIES HISTORY: This is the first meeting Virginia and Liberty.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The seniors on this team are everything. They are the glue, the mortar, the things that have held everything together. They keep working. They have consistency and embody the core components of this program.” — Coach Bronco Mendenhall
