One that’s endured more hardships and losses than on-field successes in their careers. The group of upperclassmen have never given in, though, and if the Cavaliers (5-5, 3-3 ACC) can win in upset fashion against No. 13 SMU (9-1, 6-0) at Scott Stadium, they’ll become bowl eligible.
UVa has yet to reach that benchmark under third-year coach Tony Elliott, and it hasn’t played in a postseason contest as a program since 2019. The Hoos need just one win in their last two games to change that, but Saturday is the chance to do so on their home field. “It’d mean everything.
It’d be so awesome,” senior wide receiver and Charlottesville native Malachi Fields said, “just because I haven’t been able to play in a bowl game since being here.” Said sixth-year defensive end Chico Bennett Jr.: “It’d mean a lot because it would just show all that we’ve been through, and as Coach Elliott says, 'We’re definitely deserving of it, but you have to earn it.
' I think it’d be a testament to all the hard work we’ve put in.” And it would showcase the unwavering pursuit of moving UVa forward after difficult times as well. Fields and Bennett along with fellow veterans like star safety Jonas Sanker, defensive tackle Jahmeer Carter and defensive end Ben Smiley stayed with the Cavaliers in the aftermath of former coach Bronco Mendenhall’s resignation and Elliott’s hiring.
They remained in place, too, following the horrific murders of teammates Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Pe.