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Virginia’s offensive makeover in head coach Tony Elliott’s first season didn’t come close to having the desired effect in 2022. Year two will depend greatly on the play of a new quarterback: either returning junior Jay Woolfolk, who saw mostly reserve duty his first two seasons, or newcomers Tony Muskett and Anthony Colandrea.
Muskett and Colandrea have been on campus since January and proved more than competent during the Cavaliers’ Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday at Scott Stadium. Muskett, a graduate transfer from FCS program Monmouth, and Colandrea, a true freshman from St. Petersburg, Florida, both had their moments, showing the ability to lead an offense and make plays.
It was an encouraging sign for a program charged with replacing record-breaking quarterback Brennan Armstrong, who transferred to North Carolina State in the offseason.
“He’s had really good command of the offense,” offensive coordinator Des Kitchings said of the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Muskett, who completed 11 of 14 passes for 149 yards and a 68-yard touchdown to wide receiver JR Wilson.
“He made some plays for us. The nice throw to JR down the field on the post. Intermediate, short, deep, he’s been really, really good throwing the ball for us, so that’s really exciting, and the guys outside are making plays for him.”
The 6-foot, 182-pound Colandrea was 18 for 29 for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
“He balled out today,” Wilson said of the first-year quarterback. “He actually surprised me with the plays and throws he made, the shots he took. With his arm talent, there is no knowing what he could do.”
Elliott said, “You got to kind of see his swagger come out.”
Woolfolk, who participated in spring practice in a limited capacity while also serving as the top relief pitcher for the No. 7 UVA baseball team, was unavailable for the spring game. He pitched 1⅔ innings of relief and earned his fifth save of the season in the Cavaliers’ home win over Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Although new to the program, Muskett believes the offense is operating at a different level this year after finishing last in the ACC in points per game (17) and an assortment of other metrics while also finishing first in turnovers lost per game (2.2).
He said he watched film of the offense last year, including the spring game, and noticed that players were “hesitant” at times. He insists that wasn’t the case during spring practice.
“Guys are flying around. We’re having fun,” said Muskett, who worked extensively with the first team this spring. “That’s the biggest thing that I’ve noticed.”
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Muskett and Colandrea talked about their mutual admiration for each other as they wrapped up spring practice. Muskett raved about the energy the young Colandrea brought to the room, and Colandrea spoke of how beneficial Muskett’s guidance has been to his development.
Muskett was a two-year starter at Monmouth, passing for 5,687 yards and 51 touchdowns for his career while twice earning first-team All-Big South honors.
“I love this guy. He’s the best,” Colandrea told reporters while within earshot of Muskett. “You’re the best, man.”
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Kitchings called Muskett and Colandrea “football junkies.” Neither showed nerves in their first action at Scott Stadium. They didn’t hesitate to slide out of the pocket to try to extend a play or even tuck the ball and run.
“To have those guys like that [who are] wired that way, you love that as a coach,” Kitchings said. “Because now they become a true extension of you out on the field.”
Colandrea, who completed 64.2% of his passes for 3,137 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior at Lakewood High School, enrolled early to get a leg up on school and football. Kitchings said he was attentive in the meeting room and enthusiastically watched tape. And his personality jived well with the rest of the team.
“He’s a fun-loving kid,” Muskett said of Colandrea. “He can sling it out there. He’s got a ton of arm talent. I love being around him on a daily basis. He makes things fun for me.”
Muskett finished his Monmouth career as the program’s all-time leader in pass efficiency (150.14) and is second in the school’s record book in completion percentage (64.2) and fourth in passing touchdowns.
When asked about his skill set and how it fits Virginia’s offense, Muskett said he views himself as a point guard trying to get the ball to an assortment of skill players, including wide receivers Malik Washington, a transfer from Northwestern, Malachi Fields, Wilson, Demick Starling and Jaden Gibson.
“It’s just my job to get them the ball in space because they’re the ones that are the great athletes,” Muskett said. “I don’t even know if I could jump and touch the rim anymore, but they’re the ones out there making great plays and running super far, so whatever I can do to get them the ball in space and let them shine, that’s what I’m going to do.”