Florida football: 3 Virginia Cavaliers to watch at the Orange Bowl
We are just days away from No. 6 Florida football taking on Virginia in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Here are Virginia players to watch on game day.
After our brief hiatus of covering Florida football, we are now just days away from the Capital One Orange Bowl.
The Gators arrived in Miami yesterday while No. 24 Virginia will be in South Florida on Thursday.
Now, however, the countdown begins for No. 6 Florida football and the Cavaliers to battle at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Today, we are going to look at three Virginia Cavaliers you need to know about for Monday’s bowl game.
As a refresher, the Cavaliers lost to Clemson in the ACC title game in Charlotte back on Dec. 7. They are making their third consecutive bowl appearance. They defeated South Carolina, 28-0 in last year’s Belk Bowl and lost 49-7 to Navy in the 2017 Military Bowl.
Here’s a look at the three Virginia Cavaliers you need to watch at the Capital One Orange Bowl:
Bryce Perkins, quarterback
Senior quarterback Bryce Perkins has been a dominant force for the Cavaliers this season.
But, it’s not just his passing that Florida football needs to be concerned about. He’s also got a lot of mobility.
He leads the Cavaliers in rushing with 1,005 yards on 213 carries and 11 touchdowns this season. Although you can take away 260 yards in losses, leaving a net of 745 yards — still a team high.
In the passing game, Perkins was 292-for-456 with 3,215 yards and 18 touchdowns in the air. He did, however, throw 18 interceptions. Regardless, Virginia throws way more than they run, making Perkins a player to watch for the Florida football defense.
Perkins was recently named to the All-ACC second team by the conference and the Associated Press as well as the Dudley Award winner as the top Division I college football player in Virginia.
Hasise Dubois, wide receiver
The leading target for Perkins this season has been senior wide receiver, Hasise Dubois.
Although fellow senior wide receiver Joe Reed has gotten a lot of press for being a kick returner (he is currently on the injured list), it’s Dubois who has the bulk of the reception yardage.
This season, Dubois has 65 catches for 979 yards and four touchdowns — averaging 75.3 yards per game. He doesn’t have the most catches, but he seems to make the most of those he gets from Perkins.
His longest is 67 yards, making him both a deep threat and one who can get yardage after the catch.
That means he will be one the Florida football secondary will need to keep an eye on.
Jordan Mack, inside linebacker
Virginia senior inside linebacker Jordan Mack could give the Florida football offensive line fits on Monday.
For the season, the Campbell Trophy finalist and Jim Tatum Award winner has 8.5 tackles for loss.
He also has no issue getting to the quarterback with a team-high 7.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries.
It all means his ability to work the gaps on the offensive line is solid. He was named All-ACC second team by the Associated Press and is third in tackles for the Cavaliers with 69.
However, it’s his ability to pressure the quarterback that makes him one Florida football will have to watch on Monday.
Next. Just who is Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall?. dark
Remember, No. 6 Florida football will take on No. 24 Virginia at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.