Take a bow, Des Kitchings. The Virginia Cavaliers’ offense is on fire.
Despite failing to average more than 23.3 points per game in his first three seasons as Virginia’s offensive coordinator, Kitchings has completely reversed course this year. Through three games, one of them being against FCS opponent William & Mary, the ‘Hoos have showcased one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
Virginia’s offense is ranked 18th nationally in scoring offense, 8th in total yards (556.0 yards per game)
and is 8th in total rushing yards. During the ‘Hoos explosive 55-16 win over the Tribe, their offense recorded a new school-record 700 yards and graduate running back Harrison Waylee notched a school-record 97-yard touchdown run. The total yardage record hadn’t been broken since Virginia recorded 691 yards against Davidson in 1968. The ‘Hoos also have the highest scoring offense in the ACC with 17 touchdowns.
Saturday’s win also marked the first time Virginia hasn’t punted during a game since 2019.
Not a bad start to say the least.
Starting quarterback Chandler Morris passed for 264 yards against Coastal Carolina despite only playing in three quarters, threw for 257 yards against NC State and for 149 against William & Mary in just the first quarter. He’s also completed over 68.4 percent of his passes in all of his games so far this season.
His performance so far has been efficient enough to rank him as Pro Football Focus’s fifth-best quarterback in the ACC. He’s the only ACC quarterback with a passing grade above 78 and a rushing grade above 75.
It also helps that the Cavalier offensive line has not allowed a single sack all season, one of just five FBS teams that have kept their quarterback clean at this point of the year. Starting center Brady Wilson is currently PFF’s highest-ranked center in the ACC and 12th-best in the country with a grade of 75.1. Wilson, who transferred to Virginia from UAB in December, has only allowed one sack in his entire career, according to PFF. Left guard Noah Josey is the ACC’s sixth-highest-ranked guard with a grade of 70.5.
Not only have they been keeping Virginia’s quarterbacks’ jerseys clean, but that offensive line has been paving the way for one of the best rushing attacks in the country. The ‘Hoos have four rushers who have already gained over 100 yards on the ground, and their three top rushers are all averaging at least 6.5 yards per carry.
North Carolina Central transfer J’Mari Taylor has taken the country by storm, leading Virginia with 213 yards, and is currently the ACC’s sixth-highest graded running back on PFF with an 80.7 grade. Taylor also leads the ACC in rushing touchdowns with six, while Harrison is tied for third in the conference with four.
With a game against No. 7 Florida State looming on September 26, Virginia shouldn’t be too proud of itself just yet, but the offense is very much ahead of schedule.
