CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 06: Zane Zandier #33 jumps in celebration after Jordan Mack #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers sacks Hollis Mathis. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – UVA football plays its first game as a ranked team this season.
The No. 25 Cavaliers (2-0) face Florida State (1-1) for the first time since 2014, and it’s just the third time since 2005 that FSU has visited Charlottesville. It’s the 19th meeting between the two teams, and the Seminoles hold a 15-3 series advantage.
“The speed and tempo versus Florida State, I think you have to put it in two different categories. It’s the number of plays they run and how fast they run them, but their skill players in particular from an exceptional running back to a fleet of receivers that on any given play they can go the whole way,” UVA head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “The number of balls that go down field, I’m not sure I’ve seen as many in teams I’ve prepared for. And so, they’re certainly talented enough at every position.
“Tempo and speed apply to not only the rate of plays but who is out there running the plays.”
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 06: Hasise Dubois #8 of the Virginia Cavaliers catches a touchdown pass. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
This marks just the third time in series history that FSU isn’t ranked when they face UVA, and the first time the Cavaliers have been ranked and the Seminoles have not.
A win on Saturday against FSU would mark the first 3-0 start to a season by the Cavaliers since 2005. Saturday’s game at Scott Stadium kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
