By just about any measure, the Virginia Cavaliers defense last year was bad.
Total defense: 121st
Rushing defense: 123rd
Pass defense: 87th
Pass efficiency allowed: 93rd
Sacks: 107th
TFLs: 114th
Turnovers forced: 82nd
First down defense: 103rd
Somehow, Virginia was 28th in red zone defense. How does that happen? Who knows. Virginia gave up so many big plays, there weren’t many red zone opportunities.
Returning Starters
There were issues throughout the defense, but there were also bright spots.