Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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finished third in the ACC in tackles for loss (14.5) and sixth in sacks (7.0), helping him earn second-team all-conference honors and become a third-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Virginia's defense recorded 2.83 sacks per game in 2014 (20th best nationally), and their defensive line also helped hold opponents to 3.4 yards per rush (19th best nation- ally.) Those areas could take a hit while the Cavaliers try to replace Harold. Key Player: Even though the defense lost both Harold and outside linebacker Max Valles to the NFL, it does return safety Quin Blanding. The 6-1, 215-pounder — Rivals.com's No. 1 safety and No. 5 overall prospect nationally in the 2014 class — was a consensus Freshman All-American and earned second-team All-ACC honors after finishing last sea- son with 123 total tackles, which ranked second in the ACC and 12th nationally. Season Outlook: This could be a make or break year for head coach Mike London. Even though his program's 5-7 overall record in 2014 is an improve- ment over the 2-10 finish in 2013, London is 23-38 (.377) in five seasons in Charlottesville. Like Texas, the Cavaliers have major issues on offense — they averaged only 6.6 yards per pass attempt (No. 88 nationally) and 3.7 yards per rush (No. 101 nation- ally) in 2014. GEORGIA TECH • SEPT. 19 2014 Record: 11-3, 6-2 ACC Last Meeting: Georgia Tech 33, Notre Dame 3 (2007) Toughest To Replace: The Yellow Jackets' triple- option backfield was hit hard by graduation, losing Zach Laskey, Synjyn Days, Charles Perkins and Tony Zenon, making quarterback Justin Thomas the lone returning rusher from their top five in 2014. The de- parted quartet accounted for 422 carries and 2,511 rushing yards, with Laskey producing 851 yards and nine touchdowns on 171 attempts en route to sec- ond-team All-ACC honors. Georgia Tech ran the ball 56.4 times a game and attempted only 14.5 passes a game last year, so it will be vital to find capable ball carriers to support Thomas. Key Player: Thomas, a redshirt junior, is unequivo- cally Georgia Tech's most vital returner. He started all 14 games for the Yellow Jackets last year, rushing for 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns on 190 attempts, while passing for 1,719 yards and 18 touchdowns with only six interceptions. Georgia Tech doesn't pass often, but makes it count when it does. The Jackets averaged 9.3 yards per attempt to rank third nationally in that category last year. Season Outlook: Despite the heavy backfield losses, and the departures of starting receivers turned NFL Draft selections DeAndre Smelter and Darren Waller, there is a lot of optimism surround- Virginia safety Quin Blanding earned consensus Freshman All-America honors in 2015 after ranking second in the ACC and 12th nationally with 123 tackles. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA