Virginia’s offensive coordinator, Des Kitchings, addressed the media on Wednesday to talk about the Cavaliers’ upcoming game against Wake Forest.
As Virginia football prepares for its ACC opener on Saturday, they are set to face a Wake Forest team with an experienced defensive lineup, highlighted by a formidable defensive line.
Kitchings shared insights after practice on Wednesday regarding the match against the Demon Deacons.
Here’s what he had to say:
What’s their defense like?
They’re disruptive up front. About seven of their 11 defensive starters are seniors or super seniors, which is impressive. They’ve played a lot of good football, they’re well-coached, and their defensive front can really make an impact.
Reflecting on Saturday’s game, what did you see from Anthony Colandrea in his first start this season?
He got off to a strong start. We had a chance to take control during the middle eight, and after the two-hour break, the players responded well. However, we didn’t finish strong in the fourth quarter, which is crucial for completing the game. Colandrea managed his mistakes effectively; he learned from them, such as the sack in the red zone that forced us out. So there’s certainly room for growth there.
But overall, he played fast and with confidence, which is what we’ve seen in fall camp. It was great to see that translate to the game.
Did you notice his potential for explosive plays during fall camp?
Yes, we’ve seen that potential thanks to the skilled players we have. While the plays themselves matter, it’s the execution—breaking tackles and making plays downfield—that counts. We hope to maintain that momentum moving forward.
You made efforts to involve Chris Tyree in the game despite some drops. How do you assess his performance, and what’s the plan ahead?
There were definitely missed opportunities. We had chances to utilize his speed, both behind and beyond the line of scrimmage, so he’ll continue to be a focus for us because his speed is a unique asset. Also, it was encouraging to see other players like Trell Harris, Malachi Fields, and Kobe Pace find success, and good to have Xavier Brown back. Jack Witmer also showed growth in his role. As we transition from week one to week two, we need to see significant improvement, especially with the tough challenge we face in Winston-Salem. Coach Clawson and his team have done an excellent job over there during their tenure.
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