The numbers don’t lie for struggling Cavs

The numbers are staggering.

On the heels of releasing its offensive coordinator, Mike Groh, Virginia’s football team expected instant results.

For myriad reasons, that has not been the case.

Heading into Saturday’s game against Boston College, the Cavaliers (3-6, 2-3 ACC) rank among the worst in the ACC in numerous categories.

That explains their woeful performance to date.

In rushing offense, a year after losing Cedric Peerman, Virginia has failed to average 100 yards a game and stands 11th in the league statistically in the category. Nationally, only 10 programs stack up in a poorer position.

It is nearly as bad in terms of passing — the Cavaliers rank 10th in the league and No. 104 in the country, averaging almost 280 yards less than Houston, the nation’s top air attack.

“We know we can move the ball,” Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell said two weeks ago. “We can turn it around and put points up on the scoreboard through the air.”

The Cavaliers, ranked No. 119 of 120 in total offense, played without Sewell last week at Miami, but had their full complement of players on defense.

That still led to 515 yards allowed, which helped drop Virginia further in national defensive rankings.

The Cavaliers, despite numerous eye-catching performances, have failed to conquer the run on defense of late and stand No. 49 in total defense. That figure sits eighth-best among ACC teams.

“We know we can be better against the run,” Virginia linebacker Aaron Clark said. “It is just a matter of staying in your lanes and making plays. We have to be better at that.”

Special-teams work has been just as shady this season, leaving the Cavaliers among the worst in the league in numerous categories.

The most notable, however, has been in kickoff returns as the combination of Chase Minnifield and Perry Jones combined to manage just 17.96 yards per attempt, leaving the program at 115th overall nationally.