The Virignia Cavaliers are now 3-1 in opening games in the Tony Elliott era after their 48-7 rout last weekend against Coastal Carolina. This week will undoubtedly provide a more challenging test as they head to Raleigh to face Dave Doeren and his North Carolina State Wolfpack.
NC State ended up putting a mark in the win column at the conclusion of their rivalry matchup against East Carolina, but it was not without stress
as they squeaked out a 24-17 victory. NC State is looking to start its season off with two wins for the first time since 2022, and Virginia is attempting to duplicate their start from last year in beating an ACC opponent (even though this particular game is a non-conference game) in week two to start its own season off 2-0.
Here are my five key players in Virginia’s matchup vs. NC State.
1. QB Chandler Morris
Not having QB1 as a key player seems illegitimate from the jump, so here he is. Morris is healthy and expected to “play his tail off,” according to Tony Elliott, and he will need to for the ‘Hoos to claim victory Saturday afternoon. Where he becomes a “key” player will be his ability to use his legs on Saturday. NC State and their first-year defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot will most certainly bring pressure. Virginia needs to give Morris time, and QB1 needs to be able to move around the pocket and escape for a run when needed.
2. DE Fisher Camac
Virginia totaled one sack and four total tackles for loss last week against an inferior and smaller Coastal Carolina team. All sacks and TFLs came from transfers, and Fisher Camac accounted for half a sack, half a TFL, and five total tackles. The senior DE from UNLV, along with the rest of the Cavaliers’ defensive line, will need to cause chaos in the backfield and pressure NC State QB MJ Morris.
3. WR Cam Ross
Who else besides the MVP from Week 1? Cam Ross is that dude, and if he can provide week in and week out at wide receiver and be a trusted kickoff returner for Virginia, this team will at least be fun to watch. Virginia fans are owed an athlete who can excel in both areas, following the Chris Tyree experience.
4. RB Xavier Brown
Xavier Brown didn’t have nearly the game he did last year against Coastal Carolina, when he rushed for 170 yards on Conway in 2024, but he will be an impactful player this season in Virginia’s backfield, so why not start this week?
NC State did well against ECU’s run game, only allowing 30 total rushing yards. UVA will need both J’Mari Taylor and Brown to contribute on Saturday, but I would love to see the physicality of Brown come out against the Wolfpack and really wear down that defense.
5. K Will Bettridge
Will Bettridge may need to prove his worth as a Campbell trophy nominee on Saturday. I don’t see a way this game isn’t close, and we may see No. 41 trotting onto the field late in the fourth quarter, attempting a meaningful field goal. The senior has posted an 85.7% success rate over his last two years, going 18-21 in both 2023 and 2024, and got his 2025 season off to a solid start, going 2-3 last week, with his lone miss coming from 52 yards.
