Virginia names Anthony Colandrea starting quarterback ahead of 2024 season

Virginia has named Anthony Colandrea its new starting quarterback ahead of the 2024 season, the program announced on Saturday in a press release.

The sophomore will start the season opener against Richmond on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. ET with a broadcast on ACCNX/ESPN+.

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Anthony Colandrea made a name for himself as a true freshman in 2023, starting six of the eight games he appeared in. He showed some real promise during that stint, though the team was a little up and down.

He finished the year 154-of-246 passing for 1,958 yards and 13 touchdowns, though he did throw nine interceptions. The talented young quarterback also had some rushing ability, running 73 times for 225 yards during the season.

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His 154 completions were a single-season freshman record, as were his passing yardage total and his total offense (2,183 yards). He threw for more passing yardage than any other true freshman quarterback in the Power 5 in 2023.

Anthony Colandrea ranked ninth in the ACC in passing yards and passing touchdowns, throwing a touchdown in seven of the eight games he played in.

Colandrea’s first start in 2023 came against James Madison on Sept. 9, when he went 20-for-26, 377 passing yards (UVA freshman single-game record) along with two touchdown passes. The 377-yard passing effort was the fifth highest of any ACC quarterback in 2023. He earned the first of two ACC Rookie-of-the-Week honors for his week two performance. He tallied his first collegiate win over Duke at Scott Stadium on Nov. 18. Colandrea finished 21-for-30 with 278 yards passing and three touchdowns in the 30-27 victory over the Blue Devils.