2021 Virginia Cavaliers football team

The 2021 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cavaliers were led by sixth-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall and played their home games at Scott Stadium. The team competed as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

2021 Virginia Cavaliers football
Fenway Bowl, Canceled vs. SMU
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
Record6–6 (4–4 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRobert Anae (6th season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorNick Howell (6th season)
Co-defensive coordinatorKelly Poppinga (4th season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumScott Stadium
Seasons
 2020
2022 
2021 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 15 Wake Forest xy 71  113 
No. 20 NC State 62  93 
No. 14 Clemson 62  103 
Louisville 44  67 
Florida State 44  57 
Boston College 26  66 
Syracuse 26  57 
Coastal Division
No. 13 Pittsburgh xy$ 71  113 
Miami (FL) 53  75 
Virginia Tech 44  67 
Virginia 44  66 
North Carolina 35  67 
Georgia Tech 26  39 
Duke 08  39 
Championship: Pittsburgh 45, Wake Forest 21
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

After finishing their regular season with a 6–6 record, the Cavaliers accepted a bid to play in the Fenway Bowl, where they were due to face the SMU Mustangs. On December 26, the Cavaliers withdrew from the game, due to COVID-19 issues; the bowl was subsequently canceled.[1]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 47:30 p.m.William & Mary*ACCRSNW 43–042,982
September 1111:00 a.m.Illinois*
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
ACCNW 42–1436,036
September 187:30 p.m.at No. 21 North CarolinaACCNL 39–5950,500
September 247:00 p.m.Wake Forest
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
ESPN2L 17–3738,699
September 307:30 p.m.at Miami (FL)ESPNW 30–2837,269
October 93:00 p.m.at LouisvilleACCNW 34–3340,320
October 1612:30 p.m.Duke
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
ACCRSNW 48–038,489
October 237:30 p.m.Georgia Tech
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
ACCNW 48–4045,837
October 3010:15 p.m.at No. 25 BYU*ESPN2L 49–6657,685
November 137:30 p.m. No. 9 Notre Dame*
  • Scott Stadium
  • Charlottesville, VA
ABCL 3–2848,584
November 203:30 p.m.at No. 18 PittsburghESPN2L 38–4845,183
November 273:45 p.m.Virginia Tech
ACCNL 24–2946,445
December 2911:00 a.m.vs. SMU*ESPN Cancelled_

[2]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
APRVRVRV
CoachesRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Coaching staff

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NamePosition
Bronco MendenhallHead coach
Robert AnaeOffensive coordinator, Inside Receivers Coach, Tight Ends
Nick HowellDefensive coordinator, Secondary Coach
Kelly PoppingaCo defensive coordinator, linebackers coach
Ricky BrumfieldSpecial teams coordinator, Cornerbacks coach
Mark AtuaiaRunning backs coach
Jason BeckQuarterbacks coach
Marques HagansWide receivers coach
Shane HunterSafeties coach
Clint SintimDefensive line
Garett TujagueOffensive line coach

Players drafted into the NFL

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Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
3 73 Jelani Woods TE Indianapolis Colts

References

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  1. Adelson, Andrea (December 26, 2021). "Military, Fenway Bowls Canceled Because of COVID-19 Issues". ESPN. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  2. "2021 Virginia Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.