21st-ranked Cougars collide with Cavaliers

Sep 17, 2014 - 3:54 PM Provo, UT (SportsNetwork.com) - Coming off a huge win at home over a top 25 program, the Virginia Cavaliers set their sights on another nationally-ranked opponent, as they take on the 21st-ranked BYU Cougars on Saturday afternoon at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

There is no question that Mike London is on the hot seat at Virginia, as the Cavaliers have struggled to make significant progress under his watchful eye. However, the 2014 season has started off well, with two wins in the first three games, including knocking off last week's 21st-ranked squad Louisville in Charlottesville, 23-21. The victory gave the Cavaliers two wins on the season, matching the amount of wins the team had all last year. It also ended a 10-game losing streak in ACC play and an 11-game losing streak against FBS competition.

Getting a third win this week won't come easy, as Bronco Mendenhall's Cougars have certainly earned their spot in the top 25, with wins over Connecticut (35-10), Texas (41-7) and most recently, Houston (33-25). After opening up a 23-0 lead against Houston, BYU did just enough late to keep the visiting Cougars at bay.

"I'm glad that we continued to battle, continued to fight," Mendenhall said. "We had some offensive momentum in the first half, and we moved it when we needed to. Overall, it was a hard fought win. There's plenty to work on, but a lot of things that I was pleased with."

These two teams opened the 2013 season against one another, with Virginia earning a 19-16 win at home. The Cavaliers have won three of the four all-time meetings with BYU.

The Cavaliers haven't had much to cheer about over the last couple of seasons, but that could change this time around. The team managed only 285 yards of total offense against the Cardinals, but still did enough to squeak out a victory over a good Louisville team.

On the year, the Cavs are averaging a modest 333.7 yards per game, but there has been some balance. The quarterback position lacks a true gun slinger, but there is value in depth, as Greyson Lambert, Matt Johns and David Watford can all contribute. Lambert has started all three games, having completed 67.7 percent of his throws for 376 yards, with two TDs and three INTs.

Sophomore tailback Taquan Mizzell (14 rec, 52 yds) and junior wideout Canaan Severin (11 rec, 107 yds, 2 TDs) have gotten the most looks in the passing game. Senior tailback Kevin Parks (173 yards, 3.3 ypc, 1 TD) hasn't found his groove yet on the ground, although he could at any time after earning All-ACC honors a year ago.

Virginia has had its most success in the early going on the defensive side of the football. The Cavaliers have done a real nice job against the run (84.7 ypg) and are yielding just 354.0 yards of total offense per game. Big plays have come in a flurry for Virginia, which has already recorded 12 sacks and 13 takeaways in the first three games.

All-American safety Aaron Harris (24 tackles) notched his first interception of the season last week against Louisville, after leading the nation in that category in 2013. Senior middle linebacker Henry Coley has played extremely well thus far, leading the team in tackles (6.0), TFL (6.0), sacks (3.5) and forced fumbles (2).

Being able to hold the explosive Cardinals in check and earn the victory was certainly a morale boost for the Cavs, according to their defensive leader.

"It was a very emotional moment for myself and a lot of guys on the team," said Harris. "We strive and try to work hard and get better each week. Some weeks we come up short, and for a second there it looked like it was resignation the helm. Tom Mason, who has served as the team's defensive coordinator since 2008, will act as the interim head coach.

"I would like to thank all the people here at SMU that have supported the vision we have had here," Jones said. "I feel we have made SMU relevant again in football by going to four bowls in my six years as a Mustang. I am thankful for the opportunity I was given and wish only the best for the player, coaches and administration at SMU."

"June's decision to resign was his own," SMU Director of Athletics Tom Hart said. "And we thank him for his efforts and wish him the best."

Texas A&M holds a 44-29-7 advantage over SMU in an intrastate rivalry that dates back to 1916. In the three matchups since 2011, the Aggies have outscored the Mustangs, 136-30.

Kevin Sumlin's high-octane offensive attack has not skipped a beat in the 2014 campaign, as the Aggies are putting up 54.3 ppg and 595.7 ypg, which rank second and fourth in the nation, respectively.

Kenny Hill took the torch from Johnny Manziel in the offseason and has performed well in the early going. The gun slinger is completing greater than 69 percent of his passes for 1,094 yards with 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Even with the success of the offense, Hill was not satisfied with the unit's 38-point performance against Rice, inferring that the Aggies left a lot of points on the field.

"We just weren't really clicking and we weren't executing the way that we want to," Hill said. "We are going to get that fixed and be ready to go."

Malcome Kennedy has emerged as Hill's go-to receiving option with 24 receptions for 258 yards and a touchdown, and he's one of five receivers with double-digit catches and at least 150 yards. Speedy Noil (12 receptions, 197 yards, TD) is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury.

The effective rushing attack consists of three high-quality rushers - Trey Williams (22 carries, 142 yards, two TDs), Brandon Williams (20 carries, 119 yards) and Tra Carson (18 carries, 96 yards, four TDs).

As outstanding as Texas A&M's offense has been, it's the vast improvement of the defense that makes this squad a legitimate contender. The unit gives up just 13.7 ppg.

Myles Garrett is one of the nation's best pass-rushers with 6.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks to go with another four QB hurries. Howard Matthews has a team-best 24 tackles, and Armani Watts and Deshazor Everett each have an interception.

SMU boasts one of the nation's worst offenses in the early going this season, as it has scored just six points in two games, while amassing a mere 171.5 ypg.

To make matters worse, quarterback Neal Burcham (27-of-48, 158 yards, two INTs) will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury. Kolney Cassel (14-of-29, 154 yards, TD) will make his first career start, with Matt Davis (4-of-8, 45 yards, TD) waiting in the wings.

Der'rikk Thompson has team highs in both receptions (eight) and yards (95), while Nate Halverson (four receptions, 65 yards) has the team's lone touchdown.

The Mustangs' rushing attack has been especially bad, as they rush for negative-7 yards per game. Kevin Pope is the lead back with 14 carries for 42 yards.

SMU's defense hasn't been good either, allowing 44.0 ppg and 463.5 ypg, although it deserves a little bit of credit for holding Baylor to its lowest point total of the year (45 points).

Jonathan Yenga leads the way with 15 tackles, Ajee Montes has 13 tackles and a fumble recovery and Hayden Greenbauer has 12 tackles and an interception. The unit has registered just one sack, courtesy of Zelt Minor.