Miami football best player for each 2020 ACC opponent

Virginia Safety Joey Blount

Virginia safety Joey Blount was third-team All-ACC in 2019 after recording 95 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Blount finished second in Virginia in tackles and led the Cavaliers in interceptions in 2019. In the Cavaliers 17-9 loss in Miami in 2019, Blount led UVA with eight tackles.

Three times in 2019 and six times in his career, Blount has had double digits in tackles. Blount will receive notice for All-ACC on some preseason watch lists.

The biggest game Blount had in 2019 was in Virginia’s season-opening win over Pittsburgh with seven tackles, two TFLs, two sacks and an interception. Like their games against Pittsburgh, the Hurricanes games the last two seasons against Virginia have been defensive battles.

Virginia won 16-13 in Charlottesville in 2018 and Miami won 17-9 at Hard Rock Stadium in 2019. The revised schedule allows Miami to play Virginia at home for the second straight season in 2020.

Blount did not record a tackle but had an interception in the Virginia victory over Miami in 2018. New Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and QB D’Eriq King will have to account for Blount who will be one of the most key players on the Cavaliers against the dual-threat that King will provide against Virginia.