A look at who has the edge at each position in the Virginia football team’s ACC matchup with Stanford.
Quarterbacks
Virginia QB Chandler Morris completed 69% of his throws through the first three games and he passed for 670 yards and four TDs. He’s also rushed for 113 yards. Morris, a sixth-year veteran and transfer from North Texas, has played extremely well while transitioning into the Cavaliers’ balanced attack after spending each of his first five seasons in an air raid offense. Stanford’s Ben Gulbranson, an Oregon State transfer, has struggled with the Cardinal and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1 to 3. Edge: Virginia
Running backs
This matchup features a handful of talented running backs. Stanford RB Micah Ford, a 6-foot, 220-pound sophomore, has two 100-yard performances in the first three games. Ford ran for 113 yards and a TD in the Cardinal’s Week 0 loss at Hawaii and 157 yards and a score in their win this last Saturday over Boston College. The Hoos, though, are eighth nationally in rushing offense and they’re the only team in the ACC with two RBs that have at least four rushing TDs in J’Mari Taylor (6) and Harrison Waylee (4). Taylor rushed for 150 yards and three TDs in Week 2 against NC State and Waylee rushed for 151 yards and three TDs last week against William & Mary. Edge: Virginia
Receivers/tight ends
Between Morris’ willingness to throw to who is open and UVa offensive coordinator Des Kitchings designing different schemes, the Cavaliers are highlighting the skills of their various WRs each week. Last Saturday, Kam Courtney became the third different WR to lead UVa in receiving in a game this season. He also scored on a 23-yard run on a reverse to start the scoring against William & Mary. The Hoos are finding ways to mix his do-it-all abilities in with starting receivers Trell Harris, Jahmal Edrine and Cam Ross. Stanford TE Sam Roush had a 69-yard TD reception last week to help beat Boston College. Edge: Virginia
Offensive line
Give third-year UVa O-Line coach Terry Heffernan credit. The Cavaliers loaded up on offensive linemen in the portal, but only one of those acquisitions — center Brady Wilson — is currently starting and yet Heffernan has guided the Hoos’ front in a turnaround. They’re one of five teams in the FBS that hasn’t allowed a sack yet and they’ve paved the way for the Hoos to be dominant on the ground. Heffernan, who UVa coach Tony Elliott hired away from Stanford ahead of the 2023 season, has also benefited from former Stanford O-Lineman Drake Metcalf getting healthy. He missed last year with an Achilles injury, but is settled in at right guard for the Cavaliers now. Stanford has surrendered five sacks, but its offensive line has blocked well for Ford. Left guard Nick Fattig is the Cardinal’s best offensive lineman. Edge: Virginia
Defensive line
Former Yale star Clay Patterson is off to a great second season as a member of the Cardinal. The defensive lineman has eight tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the first three contests of the campaign. Simply, the 6-foot-3, 280-pounder is a disruptor. Stanford also has good edge players in Tevarua Tafiti and Ernest Cooper. Both Tafiti and Cooper each have a sack. The UVa defensive line started to put more pressure on the quarterback last week, particularly ends Mitchell Melton and Daniel Rickert, against William & Mary. But that was against FCS competition, so the Hoos need to prove they can rush the passer effectively against a league foe. DT Jahmeer Carter has been stout against the run. Edge: Stanford
Linebackers
UVa is due to return standout LB Kam Robinson against the Cardinal for his season debut. A collarbone injury suffered during training camp forced Robinson to miss the first three contests of the year. He joins a position group that is getting good leadership from James Jackson and production from Landon Danley and Maddox Marcellus. Stanford’s Matt Rose is the ACC’s second-leading tackler with 30 total tackles on the year. Cal transfer Hunter Barth has been a solid addition, tallying 13 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Edge: Push
Secondary
Stanford CB Collin Wright’s interception return for a TD last week helped swing momentum in the Cardinal’s favor during their win over Boston College. The Stanford secondary did an excellent job in the second half of that contest, too, limiting the Eagles to 58 passing yards over the final 30 minutes. That preserved their lead and was a step in the right direction considering they had given up 275 yards through the air in the opening half. The Cavaliers had a miscommunication in their secondary that allowed William & Mary to score on a long TD pass, but other than the first-team group of defensive backs has been steady, especially S Devin Neal and CB Donavon Platt. Edge: Virginia, slightly
Special teams
It’s worth watching whether or not punter Daniel Sparks (hip flexor) can handle his punt and kickoff duties for UVa. He’s one of the best punters in the country. If he can only punt or can’t go at all, the Cavaliers will have to have backup Elijah Slibeck ready. From a return perspective, the Hoos’ 45.5 yards per kick return are the third most in the FBS and they’re 40th in punt return yards. Edge: Virginia
Greg Madia
gmadia@dailyprogress.com
@GregMadia on X
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Greg Madia
UVa Sports Reporter
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