Virginia Cavaliers Football

The Virginia Cavaliers football team, representing the University of Virginia (UVA), competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) within the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The team was established in 1888. Since then, UVA's football program has left a lasting impact on the sport, influencing modern game ethics and safety regulations. Home games are played at Scott Stadium, located on the UVA campus in Charlottesville.

Virginia Cavaliers Football Introduction

UVA football team was formed in 1886 when two graduate students, Charles Willcox and Richard Reid Rogers, introduced the sport to the University of Virginia (UVA). With a strong influence from Princeton and Yale, they established football in the South, where it was previously absent. UVA quickly emerged as a powerhouse, they had 28 consecutive winning seasons from its inception in 1888. Notable achievements include being the first Southern program to defeat Yale, which was a formidable opponent in 1915.

Throughout its history, UVA football has been affiliated with various conferences, including the Southern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), where it currently competes. The team has engaged in long-standing rivalries with North Carolina and Virginia Tech. Despite early disputes over conference championships, UVA's football legacy is marked by its role in shaping college football in the South.

Virginia Cavaliers Football History

The University of Virginia's football history traces back to 1886 when graduate students Charles Willcox and Richard Reid Rogers introduced the sport to the South. In the beginning, students engaged in informal games, but by 1887, they organized a football team. Their first official game was against Pantops Academy, which resulted in a historic win for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Virginia football saw notable moments during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including its first inter-college game against Johns Hopkins in 1888 and the establishment of the South's Oldest Rivalry with North Carolina in 1892. The program claimed several Southern championships during this period, highlighted by a 116–0 game against Princeton in 1890.

The early 1900s period saw changes in coaching and successes. Players like Bradley Walker and Eugene N. "Buck" Mayer contributed to winning seasons. The team's rivalry with VPI (now Virginia Tech) intensified, with memorable matchups in the early 1900s.

In 1912, Virginia joined the South Atlantic Intercollege Athletic Association (SAIAA) and saw the opening of Lambeth Stadium in 1913. The following years witnessed significant victories, including a landmark win against Yale in 1915.

The program faced challenges during World War I, leading to disruptions in play, but resumed activities in 1919 with notable games against Vanderbilt and North Carolina. Coaching changes and conference affiliations characterized the 1920s, with Virginia joining the Southern Conference in 1921.

Virginia Cavaliers Football Coach

The Virginia Cavaliers football team has had 41 coaches throughout its history. Head coach Antonio "Tony" Elliott currently guides the team. He took on the role as the 41st head coach on December 10, 2021, replacing Bronco Mendenhall.

Upon taking the position, Elliott made significant coaching staff changes, bringing in John Rudzinski from the United States Air Force Academy as the defensive coordinator and Desmond Kitchings from the Atlanta Falcons as the offensive coordinator. Rudzinski's previous defense ranks in the top 5 nationally for scoring defense in 2020 and total defense in 2021, while Kitchings brings experience as a co-offensive coordinator at NC State and Vanderbilt, as well as a running backs coach in the NFL.

Here is a full list of head coaches and the duration they served as head coach:

Virginia Cavaliers Football Stadium: Scott Stadium

Scott Stadium, officially known as The Carl Smith Center, is the home of David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium. It is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, on the grounds of the University of Virginia. The Virginia Cavaliers football team plays at Scott Stadium, which was built in 1931 and is the oldest active FBS football stadium in Virginia.

Apart from football games, Scott Stadium also hosts various other events. Some notable concerts have taken place here. It was the venue of the Virginia High School League's Group AAA Division 5 and 6 football state championship games. The stadium has also hosted significant lacrosse events, including the Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1977 and 1982 and the ACC Women's Lacrosse Tournament in 2008. The stadium has a seating capacity of 61,500 and has a grass surface.

Virginia Cavaliers Football Rivals

Virginia Cavaliers' football program has many teams that compete with it. Some of the notable rivalries are:

Virginia Tech

The rivalry between Virginia and Virginia Tech dates back to 1895. They have been playing each other annually since 1970. The Commonwealth Cup has been given to the winner since 1996. Virginia won the Cup in 2019, breaking a 15-game losing streak. The win also secured their spot in the 2019 Orange Bowl, their first New Year's Six bowl. Virginia Tech leads the series with a 60–38–5 score.

North Carolina

The South's Oldest rivalry, dating back to 1895, is with North Carolina. They've played yearly since 1919, making it the longest series in the ACC. The rivalry's name comes from their dominance in the South between 1895 and 1910. According to Virginia records, North Carolina leads the series 63–59–4, but Virginia has had the upper hand since 1983, with a record of 24–14–1.

Virginia Cavaliers Football Record and stats

• Virginia Cavaliers have won five conference titles and one division championship.

Conference championships

Division championships

Virginia Cavaliers Football Roster

The Virginia Cavaliers football roster includes a variety of players from diverse backgrounds.

On the offensive side, the players include:

On the defensive side, notable players include:

Virginia Cavaliers Football Schedule

The Virginian Cavaliers football 2024 regular season matchups are as follows: