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22 CAVALIER CORNER FOOTBALL PREVIEW The Wahoos Look To Build On Last Year's Success 2018 SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Time Sept. 1 Richmond (ACCNE) 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at Indiana (BTN) 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 Ohio (ACCNE) 3 p.m. Sept. 22 Louisville TBA Sept. 29 at NC State TBA Oct. 13 Miami TBA Oct. 20 at Duke TBA Oct. 27 North Carolina TBA Nov. 2 Pittsburgh (ESPN2) 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 Liberty TBA Nov. 17 at Georgia Tech TBA Nov. 23 at Virginia Tech TBA ACCNE — ACC Network Extra BTN — Big Ten Network BY BRAD FRANKLIN F OR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX years, UVA went back to the postseason in 2017 and did so to the surprise of many. Now, having to replace four key con- tributors, head coach Bronco Mendenhall and his Wahoos are hoping to surprise folks once again. The schedule certainly sets up well for the Cavaliers to go back to the postseason again this fall, but it could be bumpy in spots: UVA has to replace its quarterback as well as the ACC's leading tackler, the school's all-time leading tackler and the one defensive lineman that caused the most chaos in opposing backfields. And if all of that didn't seem daunting enough, Virginia is also in the midst of an offensive transition. The Hoos will be a more run-oriented team this fall, leaning heavily on the read-option look that offen- sive coordinator Robert Anae ran during his most successful times at BYU. Overall, Mendenhall and his staff have addressed depth issues with several well- stocked recruiting classes as well as trans- fer additions. Despite some of the question marks (most notably in the trenches), the defense returns eight starters, the offense will return its most dynamic playmaker as well as many of the other skill position guys, and the entire program is a year more mature with arguably an easier schedule. Here's a breakdown of what to look for from the Wahoos this season. TOP PLAYERS Fourth-Year H-Back Olamide Zac- cheaus — After breaking Billy McMul- len's single-season receptions record last fall — finishing with 85 —on his way to second-team All-ACC honors, the Garden State native returns as the clear go-to play- maker on a team that desperately needs him. The 5-8 Zaccheaus was a big play magnet as a third-year, racking up 895 receiving yards (No. 5 all time on UVA's single-sea- son list) and is currently the only player in school history with two career receptions of 80 yards or more. He'll be not only the veteran among Vir- ginia's receivers this fall, but he'll also be the most versatile. He is listed as an H-back and will line up out wide, in the slot and even in the backfield. Given the shift to a read-option look, you can expect him to handle the ball early and often be it via the pass, the toss, the pitch or the handoff. No player will carry more on his plate this season than Zaccheaus, who was named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award given annually to the nation's top wide re- ceiver. For both him and the team to be suc- Olamide Zaccheaus, who hauled in a single-season school-record 85 receptions for 895 yards and five touchdowns in 2017, will be UVA's go-to guy as a fourth-year this fall. Listed as an H-back, he will line up out wide, in the slot and in the backfield. PHOTO BY PETE EMERSON/COURTESY UVA 2018