Injuries continue to rack up on Cavaliers defense
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va (CBS19 SPORTS) -- It was another week of heartbreak for the Cavalier football team this week -- not only in the loss column.
Two more players on the defensive side of the ball, Dre Walker and Malcolm Greene, left the game early due to injuries -- straining a unit that has already been decimated with injuries this season.
"We're not going to make any excuses," UVA head coach Tony Elliott said after the game. "It's next man up. That's another reality in football. It doesn't matter because the team on the other side is not going to say 'oh you're down to freshman we're going to back off.' No they are going to turn it up, so our guys have to be ready."
The injuries gave new life to the Eagles, who outscored the Cavaliers 20-3 in the second half. Senior Josh Ahern has been one of the many players that have been in and out of the lineup due to injury this season and like Elliott, he said it's important for the next guy to be ready when his number is called.
"Obviously it sucks to lose guys, but we're adopting the next man up mentality," he said. "If you got to go, you to to go, so you can't use it as an excuse whatsoever."
Elliott confirmed post game that senior Kam Butler is out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a pectoral injury last week against NC State. Senior Ben Smiley is expected to be back this week after missing the last three games due to a concussion.