FSU football: 5 keys to victory for Noles against Virginia Cavaliers
By Kelvin Hunt
Contain UVA Quarterback
UVA quarterback Bryce Perkins is a senior who got his first taste of action as a starter last season. He’s a former three-star dual threat quarterback that’s lived up to that billing while at UVA.
Perkins rushed 212 times for 923 yards in 2018, averaging 4.4 yards per carry while scoring nine touchdowns. He’s right on those averages through two games in 2019.
As a passer, Perkins completed 225 of 349 passes (64 percent) for 2,680 yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2018.
He’s been less sharp with his arm through two games, completing just 60 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and two interceptions this season.
FSU’s biggest problem this year has been stopping the running game of opposing offenses, but they’ve yet to face true dual-threat QB.
UVA will run read option, QB draws and other assortments to get Perkins in the mix and he’s not a small guy at 6’2 215 pounds.
FSU must contain his run game and force him to beat them with his arm. UVA wasn’t great when they were put in third and long situations last season and I’d be willing to say the same this season.
The key is going to be having success on first and second down and putting them in predictable passing situations.