Some of the faces on the sideline may be new. But the overall result remains the same.
New Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall has enacted wholesale changes in the football program during his first eight months. But few of them paid off in the season opener. The Mendenhall era began with a thud Saturday as the Cavaliers lost to Richmond 37 – 20. In a battle of FBS vs. FCS teams, Virginia never really posed much of a threat.
The Cavaliers couldn’t hold onto the ball on offense and couldn’t stop Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta on defense. UVA surrendered four turnovers, including a costly red zone fumble, and appeared stunned by Richmond’s aggressive offensive attack.