University of Virginia football players had a pretty important season opener in their sights – a September 19 matchup against arch-rival Virginia Tech. And then they didn’t, as Virginia Tech cancelled one week before gameday because of coronavirus protocols.

The Duke game was quickly moved up to September 26, but losing the Tech game was deflating for a group that had put in so much effort for the opportunity to play in 2020 and was gearing up to defend the Commonwealth Cup. If the players’ comments this week are representative of the entire team, though, the Hoos are refocused and more than ready to kickoff 2020 against the Blue Devils.