Home Report Card: Grading out Virginia’s 55-15 win over Abilene Christian
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Report Card: Grading out Virginia’s 55-15 win over Abilene Christian

Chris Graham

Quarterback: A

uva footballThis one is easy. Brennan Armstrong (PFF grade: 93.7) had a career day: 16-of-23 passing, 383 yards, three TDs, plus 52 yards on six carries on the ground.

Lindell Stone (PFF grade: 68.4) was 5-of-5 for 23 yards and a TD in relief.

Tailbacks: B

They just don’t get used all that much.

  • Shane Simpson (PFF grade: 66.7) had two short rushing touchdowns, but only got four carries for nine yards on the day.
  • Wayne Taulapapa (PFF grade: 59.9) had four yards on three carries.
  • Ronnie Walker Jr. (PFF grade: 57.4) got 14 carries, but only went for 36 yards.

Another day where the starting QB led the team in rushing.

Wideouts/tight ends: A

One drop for the group on 28 pass attempts.

Notables:

  • Big day for Tony Poljan (PFF grade: 91.8): five catches on seven targets, 77 yards, one TD.
  • Slot receiver Billy Kemp IV (PFF grade: 78.0) had four catches on four targets for 69 yards.
  • Freshman Demick Starling (PFF grade: 73.2) had two catches on two targets for 11 yards and a TD (the one from Stone).
  • Grad transfer Ra’Shaun Henry (PFF grade: 61.2) only catches touchdowns: his one catch was a 52-yard TD. He has three catches this season: all three are TD catches.

Offensive line: B

Downgrading because the line allowed seven pressures.

Thirteen linemen got snaps. That’s how this one was supposed to go.

  • Right tackle Ryan Swoboda (PFF grade: 67.8): 26 snaps, no pressures.
  • Right guard Chris Glaser (PFF grade: 65.0): 41 snaps, 1 pressure.
  • Center Olusegun Olawitimi (PFF grade: 63.2): 39 snaps, 1 pressure.
  • Left guard Joe Bissinger (PFF grade: 59.4): 42 snaps, no pressures.
  • Left tackle Ryan Nelson (PFF grade: 56.7): 35 snaps, 1 pressure.

Defensive front: A

UVA held Abilene Christian to 62 yards rushing and registered 26 QB pressures.

Key players:

  • Outside linebacker Matt Gahm (PFF grade: 80.6): four tackles, four pressures, one sack, one pass breakup.
  • Outside linebacker Elliott Brown (PFF grade: 75.7): three tackles, four pressures, one pass breakup.
  • Defensive end Mandy Alonso (PFF grade: 74.9): one tackle, four pressures.
  • Inside linebacker Zane Zandier (PFF grade: 73.5): seven tackles, two pressures.
  • Outside linebacker Noah Taylor (PFF grade: 73.0): two tackles, three pressures.
  • Outside linebacker D’Sean Perry (PFF grade: 70.7): one tackle, one pressure, INT return for TD.
  • Defensive end Adeeb Atariwa (PFF grade: 70.6): two tackles.

Secondary: B+

Abilene Christian threw for 278 yards on 28-of-45 passing.

Notables:

  • Corner De’Vante Cross (PFF grade: 69.0): two tackles, one catch on two targets in 33 coverage snaps for 6 yards.
  • Corner Nick Grant (PFF grade: 67.0): one tackle, one catch on two targets in 22 coverage snaps for 20 yards.
  • Safety Coen King (PFF grade: 59.0): five tackles, five catches on six targets in 33 coverage snaps for 40 yards.
  • Safety Antonio Clary (PFF grade: 57.0): three tackles, four catches on four targets in 30 coverage snaps for 24 yards.
  • Safety D’Angelo Amos (PFF grade: 44.1): three tackles, one catch on five targets in 38 coverage snaps for -2 yards, one penalty.

Special Teams: B

  • Kickoff specialist Justin Duenkel (PFF grade: 68.9): eight kickoffs, five touchbacks, one fair catch, 43 return yards.
  • Placekicker Brian Delaney (PFF grade: 65.9): 7-for-7 on extra points.
  • Punter Nash Griffin (PFF grade: 60.0): two punts, 37.0 yard average, no return yards allowed.
  • Punt returner Billy Kemp IV fair-caught all four of Abilene Christian’s punts.
  • Kick returner Perris Jones (PFF grade: 59.9) had one return for 16 yards.

Story by Chris Graham

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].