The Virginia Cavaliers started the 2025 season hot against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Saturday evening.
Following a slow start in the first quarter, the Wahoo offense exploded for 28 points in the second stanza as quarterback Chandler Morris and his receivers settled in. John Rudzinski’s defense was stout all game long, limiting the Chanticleers on the ground and relying on a nearly entirely new secondary to lock down the back end.
With the ‘Hoos sitting 1-0 after the season opener, we have four quick takeaways from the win.
Chandler Morris is the real deal – if healthy
Everything was peachy for the Wahoos until the 11:00 mark in the third quarter.
Morris had shot out of a gun alongside a rejuvenated receiving corps in the second quarter, and the offense was driving in pole position to extend its 28-point lead.
Then, the transfer quarterback scampered for 28 yards before getting popped in the head. He went down for a moment before walking off the field and into the locker room under his own power. Morris came back to the sideline in the fourth quarter with ice on his left shoulder.
Tony Elliott told ACC Network that Morris’ prognosis “doesn’t look like it’s too bad, but [we’re] going to be precautionary and let Danny [Kaelin] finish out the game.”
Before going down, Morris was everything Elliott could’ve asked for. He threw for 264 yards and two scores on a 70.4% completion percentage in just over two quarters of play. Morris made all the throws offensive coordinator Des Kitchings asked him to. He hit receivers down the field, over the middle, and in the flats on check downs. He made good decisions – beyond the one not to slide on his 28-yard rush.
As long as Morris is healthy before long, he looks like an above average ACC quarterback who could lead the Wahoos to bowl eligibility this fall. Of course, it’s been one game, and Coastal Carolina’s defense is far from the toughest that the Cavaliers will face this season. But Morris checked all the boxes in game one.
Cam Ross is lightning in a bottle
Morris was only outplayed by his favorite game one target, Ross.
The James Madison transfer was absolutely electric in his first game in the orange and blue. He caught seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown in the third quarter, setting a program record for the longest kickoff return touchdown.
He finished the night with 224 all-purpose yards and two scores.
Ross’ emergence as UVA’s speedy slot receiver is reminiscent of the success Malik Washington had for the Cavaliers in 2023. Ross is probably even speedier than Washington – who’s now with the Miami Dolphins. After Chris Tyree was a disappointment in the slot last season (24 catches, 123 yards, 0 TDS), Ross looks set to be a big play threat for the Cavalier offense this season.
He wasn’t the only receiver to make plays against the Chanticleers. Trell Harris caught three balls – including an absurd one handed snag at the goal line – for 93 yards. Jamal Edrine added 24 yards and a score on three receptions.
UVA defense tackles well in first test
The defensive line didn’t cause overwhelming pressure up front, but Virginia’s front seven made plenty of plays against the run and was in quarterback MJ Morris’ face enough to hold the Chanticleers to a mere seven points.
Coastal Carolina averaged just 3.0 yards per rush with 91 yards on 30 carries. The Chanticleers’ longest run went for 10 yards as Virginia’s linebacking corps was everywhere. When Coastal backs made it to the second level, Wahoo safeties Ethan Minter, Devin Neal and Caleb Hardy crashed down with speed to make clean tackles.
The Wahoo secondary was similarly stout. With nine pass breakups, only 163 yards allowed in the air, and an interception the Cavaliers’ back seven held the Chanticleers in check and gave the pass rush time to disrupt Morris from time to time. Minter’s interception was a highlight as he punished Morris for testing the ‘Hoos deep.
Rudzinski’s defense will face more dangerous offenses as the season progresses, but this was an encouraging, if not very flashy, first outing.
Virginia’s special teams could be a strength
A blocked punt, a kickoff return for a touchdown, and three punts averaging 50.3 yards (including a 55-yarder from backup Eli Slibeck) were highlights for special teams coordinator Keith Gaither on Saturday night. Will Bettridge’s missed 52-yard field goal and Kam Courtney’s muffed punt – eventually recovered by the ‘Hoos for a 15-yard gain – were the only blemishes on an otherwise impressive day for the Wahoos’ special teams units.
The operational side of the game has been a head-scratcher at important moments for the Cavaliers in the last three years. Through 6o minutes of action against an outmatched opponent, that hasn’t been the case in 2025.
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