Virginia coach Tony Elliott isn’t afraid to tout the positives associated with his team entering the season.
He hopes many of those attributes are on display against Coastal Carolina on Saturday night in Charlottesville, Va.
“I think you’re going to like what you see,” Elliott said. “The expectation that we have inside the building is probably greater than any expectation (from fans). There’s no excuses.”
Elliott, in his fourth season after last year’s 5-7 record, has compiled a roster that includes 32 transfers and 22 freshmen. Coming in via the transfer portal is quarterback Chandler Morris, who spent last year at North Texas and is the son of Chad Morris, a former coaching colleague with Elliott at Clemson.
“He’s everything that I remember him to be in terms of the leadership,” Elliott said. “It was really, really good to see that (during practices).”
The entire Virginia coaching staff from last season still is on board, so the continuity is considered a blessing for the Cavaliers, who’ve won seven of their past eight season openers.
Coastal Carolina coach Tim Beck, entering his third season, said there’s a different mindset among the Chanticleers compared to a year ago. They’re trying to shake off a 6-7 season and so the next step comes with the beginning of a new campaign.
“I can’t even begin to explain the difference in the team makeup,” Beck said. “You can just feel it. … Our leadership, in general, as a football team is better.”
Beck named MJ Morris as the team’s starting quarterback for the Virginia game, though Coastal Carolina is expected to give Tad Hudson and/or Samari Collier playing time as well.
“A very tough, talented young man,” said Beck, who was a North Carolina State assistant coach when Morris played there in 2022. Morris appeared in seven games for Maryland in 2024.
Beck said the Chanticleers have had fierce competition at the receiver position. Jameson Tucker remains part of the receiving corps after catching a team-high six touchdown passes last season.
One of the top defenders in the Virginia secondary will be Ethan Minter, a sophomore at free safety.
“Now his physicality is really starting to show,” Elliott said. “He’s anticipating plays. He got his hands on a lot of balls, actually picked off a couple in fall camp. … He’s able to see the big picture.”
Virginia won last year’s meeting 43-24 at Coastal Carolina, with Anthony Colandrea (now at UNLV) throwing two touchdown passes. The Cavaliers built a 27-10 halftime lead.
