Cavs seek points from all over

Some of the drills seem mundane in nature.

Average fans might even look at those on display in Virginia’s open practices and wonder if they wrongly stumbled into Klockner Stadium.

Yes, as odd as it looks, soccer balls have made there way back onto the practice fields during the Cavaliers’ training camp sessions for the first time since former kickers Connor Hughes and Kurt Smith dominated in orange and blue uniforms.

“I bet it looks a bit odd,” chuckled Virginia punter Jimmy Howell.

The drill that incorporates the circular balls was installed to help Virginia’s players improve on blocking punts.

It sends a stronger message: The Cavaliers are desperate for non-offensive touchdowns.

Last year, en route to a 5-7 record, Virginia managed just one touchdown without its offense on the field. That lone defensive score came on a 60-yard interception that was returned for a score by cornerback Vic Hall.

“It is all about non-offensive touchdowns this year,” Howell said. “We have failed to do that and anybody will tell you that. It is a matter of getting offensive touchdowns, defensive touchdowns and

incorporating special teams with blocked kicks and returned kicks.”

It was apparent during Virginia’s open practice on Thursday as the offense appeared to finish the session in a dead heat with the defense.

“They might have won or we might have won but when it is all said and counted, the defense didn’t put the ball in the end zone and that is all that matters,” said defensive end Nate Collins. “That is all that we are worried about this training camp on defense.

“That is how you can change a game in the blink of an eye.”

It remains unclear how Virginia will handle its return units, a focal point for special teams guru Ron Prince, the program’s former offensive coordinator.

For now, Hall appears to have the inside track on punt returns — a rarity for a starting quarterback, the position he appears set to fill.

Regardless, improvements appear obvious in regards to blocked kicks, both punts and field goals.

“That intensity speeds us all up in practice, which isn’t bad at all,” Howell said. “It lets us know where the good parts are and what we need to work on because they are the best the we are going to face and we are the best that they are going to face.

“It has been a real good competition out there.”