Virginia huddled around its starting center, Jackson Matteo, looking for words of encouragement. The Cavaliers found themselves in a 17-0 hole against Boise State Sept. 25 and 7:53 remained in the first quarter.
“(Matteo) was the first person to get the team together and say, ‘Hey, we got to be better right now, do it for the man next to you,’” UVA wide receiver Ryan Santoro said. “That’s a testament to the way he’s stepped up.”
Matteo has become a leader on the offensive line this season for Virginia (1-4, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) after an offseason transformation from the player he once was.