After Virginia’s offense opened the season humming at 47 points per game, the number that followed against West Virginia was a much colder 27. The Cavaliers had a few flashes, but the overall output was plain and ordinary, and Saturday against Delaware is set up as a chance to snap back in a big way.
A strong bounceback could start on the ground, where the elder statesman of Virginia’s running back group has quietly been the most productive runner. Among Cavaliers with at least 20 carries, Brown leads the team in touchdowns and yards per carry. He’s also out front among Virginia backs in the passing game, with six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Brown has found at least one big play in every game so far, making the most of limited touches in a crowded backfield. Tony Elliott said that if one runner separates from the pack, that player could start to see more work, and he pointed to last season’s rise of J’Mari Taylor as the model. That leaves Brown with a chance to keep his run going against Delaware and maybe move ahead of Jekail Middlebrook for the bulk of the carries.
Virginia’s likely top receiver, Flores, made his season debut against West Virginia and came away with one catch for 26 yards. That reception mattered - it moved the chains on a fourth-down conversion - but it was still only a small first step. Elliott said Flores was still working back toward being 100% healthy.
With a few more days between games, there’s a chance Flores looks sharper and gets more involved Saturday night. Even if the Cavaliers build a comfortable lead, getting him a heavier target load would make sense, whether that comes on go routes or through trick plays.
At quarterback, Pribula’s stat line against West Virginia doesn’t tell the whole story. He dealt with dropped passes, missed contested opportunities, and a line that was overwhelmed by pressure. Even so, he held up well under the circumstances.
Pribula threw for a season-high 197 yards, though his completion percentage dropped by 20% after he attempted eight more passes than he had in the first two games combined. Against Delaware, the setup looks friendlier, and Virginia’s offense would benefit from a cleaner, more efficient showing from its quarterback.
In Other News...
Virginia Must Fix One Costly Problem Before Delaware
Virginias first loss of the season sent Des Kitchings and John Rudzinski back to the film with a familiar mandate: learn from it, dont overhaul it. The Cavaliers had stretches where the offense moved the ball effectively and the defense held up well enough to stay in the game, which is why the tone this week has centered more on correction than panic as they turn toward Delaware.
The clean-up job is clear on both sides. Virginia left too many manageable third downs on the field after putting itself in position to extend drives, and the defense paid for a few explosive breakdowns that let West Virginia finish with 437 yards of total offense. The challenge now is turning those self-inflicted mistakes into a sharper showing before the next kickoff, because the process can stay the same only if the execution does too. [Read more 🡒]
Christian Harmon Could Give Virginia's New Offense Something It Needs
Virginias new-look offense is starting to take shape, and Christian Harmon looks like the kind of addition that fits the vision. The 6-foot-6 wing is transferring in from Arkansas State for the 2026-27 season, bringing a reputation for shooting and playmaking to a roster that should lean more heavily into offensive versatility under coach Ryan Odom.
Harmons arrival gives the Cavaliers another perimeter option who can handle the ball, create shots and stretch defenses, all traits that should matter in a system built around volume and spacing. The bigger question now is how quickly he settles into Virginias rotation, since the early expectation is that he will bring energy and scoring punch off the bench rather than step straight into a starting role. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia's UVA Strong Game Carries A Meaning Bigger Than The Uniforms
Virginia footballs latest uniform reveal comes with a purpose that goes far beyond a gameday look. Ahead of the Delaware matchup, the Cavaliers showed off a design built around patches honoring Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler and D'Sean Perry, a reminder that some of the most meaningful details in college football are the ones stitched into the fabric rather than printed on the schedule.
The game itself will also put Virginia back in a national window, with the ACC Network carrying the matchup as the Cavaliers make a second straight appearance on national television. On the field, the look will be familiar enough for fans who remember the programs blue helmets, blue jerseys and white pants combination, but the message attached to it is the part that will linger long after kickoff. [Read more 🡒]