Chris Kuehnhold
Writer
When surveying the landscape of college football, the University of Virginia doesn’t stand out as a perennial power. In fact, many wouldn’t identify the program as relevant in today’s jargon. Having had only one season of 9 or more wins dating back to 2008, the 2025 season in Charlottesville, Virginia becomes a true rags to riches story. However, there is much more than meets the eye to this incredible season.
In 2022, under first year head coach Tony Elliott, the Cavaliers limped to a 3-9 season. Despite their struggles on the field, nothing could have prepared the team for the evil that presented itself on November 13, 2022. That day, while returning from a field trip to Washington, Dc to attend the “Ballad of Emmitt Hill” play as part of an African American playwrights class, gunfire rang out on board the bus. Ultimately, four members of the football team were shot with three of those losing their lives.
The players that had gone on the field trip were Mike Hollins, D’Sean Perry, Devin Chandler, and Lavel Davis Jr.
D’Sean Perry was a junior linebacker from Miami, Florida that appeared in six games.
Devin Chandler, a wide receiver from Huntersville, NC was a junior redshirting at the time.
Lavel Davis Jr, a wide receiver from Dorchester, SC was junior, however, due to a previous redshirt season and a medical redshirt season, classified as a freshman on the roster. Davis was one of 61 players and eight ACC student-athletes on the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year watch list as well as the FWAA Freshman All America watch list. He had appeared in every game in 2022 up to that fateful day.
Hollins, who survived the shooting, was a running back from Baton Rouge, La that had appeared in every game as well. Now a coach on the Cavaliers staff, Hollins had this to say about his fallen teammates: “The three guys we lost, Devin, Lavel and D’Sean, were the ultimate servants. The ultimate people of compassion. And I wake up every day and just want to keep that flame going. That’s how I feel the most connected to those guys.”
Beginning with the 2023 season, the University of Virginia, created a specific “1.15.41 Memorial Scholarship Fund”, with three team members each season receiving the scholarship in their honor. Each player on the team wears decals featuring the uniform number of all three players. The memory of the victims remains a significant emotional component of the program, with events like “UVA Strong Day” and other memorials held annually. On the 2025 roster, there are approximately 20 players remaining from the 2022 roster with each carrying memories and lessons from the tragedy with them.
Head coach Tony Elliott and the players frequently mention the victims, dedicating their successes to them and their families, using the tragedy as a powerful source of inspiration. Assistant coach Mike Hollins, one of the victims, received the 2025 NCAA Inspiration Award. Upon completion of the regular season, head coach Tony Elliott had this to say about the families of the three slain Cavaliers: “Hopefully tonight is just an opportunity for them to find some joy in the program their sons were a part of.”
After a long three years, there finally came some closure in the tragedy that rocked UVA football. On November 21, the perpetrator, whose name I will not mention, of the violence that unfolded on that fateful day was sentenced to five live sentences plus 23 years. On Saturday, following their victory over in state rival Virginia Tech, Coach Elliott dedicated the win to the families of the victims.
In short, one should never underestimate the emotional bonds that are created through tragedy. Often, we see teams bond together through such things. I’m reminded of several teams over the years that have done such-Colorado rallying around Sal Aunese, Texas AM after the bonfire, Marshall after the plane crash. These incidents often create a drive to win in the fallen members honor. With the turnaround that Virginia has shown this season, it is definitely hard to ignore that factor.
When the No. 22 Pitt Panthers (7-2, 5-2) take on the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-2) on Saturday, the Panthers will have All-American RB Desmond Reid back to full health. Reid has been fighting through injuries all season, but according to head coach Pat Narduzzi, Reid is ready to play. “He’s as healthy […]
Broadcast Information No. 12 Clemson (1-1, 0-0) (-9.5) at Georgia Tech (2-0, 0-0) Time: noon EST Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia TV: ESPN Georgia Tech welcomes in the Clemson Tigers to kick off ACC play. This match-up will set the pace for both teams. Both teams seek to make […]
TJ Chapman
Editor
Pitt QB Eli Holstein threw 4 TD passes as the Panthers beat Central Michigan 45-17 on Saturday. The Pitt defense, led by LB Rasheem Biles, limited the Chippewas to 40 rushing yards. Head coach Matt Drinkall’s squad rushed for 236 yards a week ago against San Jose State. Game Summary Expecting a heavy dose of […]
