Virginia got a welcome lift on Wednesday as it began turning the page from its bye week.
The Cavaliers’ initial availability report, released by the ACC, did not include starting safeties Brandyn Hillman and Ethan Minter or receiver Kam Courtney. All three have been out recently, but they are expected to be available Saturday when Virginia (4-5) hosts California (3-6) at 3:30 p.m. The game will air on the ACC Network.
That’s the encouraging part. The less comforting update came on linebacker Maddox Marcellus, Virginia’s leading tackler, who is listed as doubtful. Backup safety Corey Costner is also doubtful.
Virginia is coming off a 51-7 loss at Wake Forest, and the bye week gave the team a chance to recover physically and reset for the stretch run. The Cavaliers need two wins in their final three games to get to six and become bowl eligible.
Getting Hillman and Minter back would be a major boost for a defense that has struggled badly during a three-game losing streak. Hillman, a Michigan transfer, was one of Virginia’s top defenders early in the season, picking off three passes and forcing a fumble in wins over N.C.
State and Norfolk State. He injured his ankle in the 28-25 win over Delaware last month and has not played since.
Minter, a two-year starter, went down a week later against SMU and has missed the last two games, against Duke and Wake Forest. He is tied for sixth on the team with 29 tackles.
They’ll be needed against a Cal offense that leans heavily on the pass and is averaging 275 yards per game. If Marcellus can’t go, the burden on the returning safeties becomes even greater.
“Hillman should be back. He’s back in practice,” coach Tony Elliott said at his weekly press conference Wednesday.
Minter’s back in practice. Corey [Costner] is still day to day, so we’re hopeful by the end of the week he’ll be closer to being ready to play.
Those are the big indicators being ready to play.”
Marcellus, a senior, has started all nine games and has 44 tackles, one more than cornerback Jacobie Henderson. He posted a season-high tackles against Syracuse. His primary backup is fellow senior Caleb Hardy.
Courtney’s return would also help a passing game that has missed him. He ranks second on the team with 18 catches despite sitting out the last three games. He scored his first two college touchdowns against Delaware last month.
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