U.Va. may have found its offensive identity
Is it possible that with three consecutive diesel-fueled runs by Keith Payne in Saturday’s 34-13 season-opening win over Richmond, the University of Virginia offense discovered its identity?
When the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Payne rushed for 43 yards on three lookalike carries, bulldozing defenders in a startling display of force, Virginia might have stumbled upon what it does best.
“We’re nowhere a complete package with the running game,” Virginia coach Mike London said. “For the first game, first opportunity, after spending spring practice and early camp trying to find out who we were — there’s some things we gotta work on, but for the most part, I was satisfied.”
The Cavaliers knew they had a powerful goal-line runner in Payne, a graduate of Oakton High. Of the nine plays Virginia ran inside the 10-yard-line, seven were carries by Payne, and four produced touchdowns.
But more telling was the way Virginia attacked Richmond on its first possession of the third quarter — using Payne (16 carries, 114 yards) three straight times as a battering ram.
The yards were not just the product of Payne’s extraordinary power, they were facilitated by an offensive line that shoved the Spiders backward. By the time Payne was hit on each of the runs, he was at least five yards past the line of scrimmage, and the contact came from Richmond defenders who were in retreat.
“When I see the whole line moving forward, I do get influenced,” Virginia offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said of his play calling.
The line, led by three-year starting guards B.J. Cabbell (6-6, 305) and Austin Pasztor (6-7, 320), paved the way for a balanced offense that rolled up 488 yards with an equal mix of runs (35) and passes (35). In the first start of his career, sophomore Oday Oboushi (6-6, 295) was particularly impressive, as much of Virginia’s rushing yards came his way.
“You’ve got to be physical,” Lazor said. “When you’re in a situation where you’re being successful running it, there’s no reason to stop calling it. I believe it is an attitude that builds for your whole team. I’m hoping that offensively we can affect the way the whole team plays.”
