CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS) -- The Cavaliers are officially back in action. UVA kicked off their fall camp Wednesday afternoon with their first practice back since April.

UVA's first practice comes just one day after being picked last in the Preseason All-ACC poll, but on the field spirits were high. It's a ranking Elliott himself said he's not completely shocked by given last year's record and the unknown of this year's team. While fall camp is a time to block out the outside noise Elliott still felt the need to address the poll. When he did so, he was met with the same reaction he had; it didn't phase anyone. 

"If our only motivation is where someone picked us in the poll, I mean you know what, we're not gonna have the proper competitive stamina because, you know, then now all we're doing is we're working to the circumstance, the situation as opposed to what do we believe we're capable of, and all I'm worried about is where we finish," said UVA football head coach Tony Elliott, "You know, that's all that matters."

The Cavaliers were also somewhat overlooked in preseason All ACC team selections. Virginia received just one nod for punter Daniel Sparks. Sparks, who led the ACC in 45.9 yards per kick was also named to the Ray Guy Award watchlist. The Ray Guy Award is an honor given to the nation's best punter and Sparks is one of just 50 punters across the nation to be named to the watchlist. 

Despite the lack of preseason accolades UVA is unbothered. For them, all that matters is how they end the season. After posting a 3-7 season and finishing 126th nationally in scoring offense, the Cavaliers are ready to change the perception of UVA football, and plan to use all doubt as motivation. 

"I think, you know, being doubted is something that is motivating," said UVA senior quarterback Tony Muskett, "especially when Coach Elliott said the only people that really believe in us are the people in the room right there. You know, when your brother is playing for you just as hard as you're playing for him, and really no one outside the team believes in you, it just makes your bond that much deeper."

From the very beginning of practice it was clear this team has a renewed sense of purpose, as Mike Hollins led the team in wahoo jacks to open play. UVA isn't playing for outside approval, they're playing for something bigger than themselves. While Elliott is still working on specific ways to pay tribute to the three players lost in last November's shooting, he says the best way the team will honor them is just through playing and playing hard. 

"It's gonna light a fire under us and continue to make us go out there and work hard," said senior safety Antonio Clary, "But we don't really care about what social media says because at the end of the day, that's a preseason poll. We're worried about what the poll says at the end of the season."

UVA faces Tennessee one month from the start of practice in Nashville.