Virginia delays travel, Fenway Bowl status in question

Virginia announced Friday that the Cavaliers football team has postponed its travel to the Fenway Bowl, scheduled to kick off on Dec. 29 at 11:00 a.m. ET, as the university exercises caution after a round of COVID-19 tests.

Virginia said it was supposed to depart from Charlottesville, travel to Boston and begin preparation for the Fenway Bowl on the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 25. However, the Cavaliers — which underwent an additional round of COVID-19 testing on Friday — decided to postpone its travel plans until Dec. 26 while it awaits the results of the COVID-19 tests.

The Cavaliers finished the 2021 regular season with a 6-6 record, earning an invite to the Fenway Bowl, where they are slated to face the 8-4 SMU Mustangs.

Virginia set to face SMU in Fenway Bowl for Mendenhall’s last game

In rather surprising fashion, Virginia’s 55-year-old head coach Bronco Mendenhall — who has coached at Virginia since 2016, amassing a 36-38 overall record with four bowl appearances in six seasons — announced that he would step down after the 2021 season, leaving the Fenway Bowl against SMU as his final game coaching the Cavaliers.

“It’s my team,” Mendenhall said, reiterating that he had no doubts in making the decision, “and I want them to have their best chance to have another great experience together, but also to express my appreciation and selfishly be with them. My days aren’t as good when I’m not, same with my staff, and so that was never even an option.”

Virginia later named Tony Elliott as Mendenhall’s successor. However, Elliott isn’t slated to take over the program until after the Fenway Bowl, leaving Mendenhall one last game — that is, if the Cavaliers are able to play and avoid potential COVID-19 complications.

“I love [Mendenhall]. He’s a great person and he’s an even better coach. I just think he does things the right way and I love him for that. And everything he’s taught me in my five years,” senior defensive end Manny Alonso said, via The Daily Progress. “All the principles that he taught us about, he really means it and displays that in the way he coaches football.”