Virginia Loses Top Defensive Player Prior To Duke Game

Virginia lost its top defensive player when cornerback Bryce Hall injured his ankle last Friday.

In his weekly press conference, coach Bronco Mendenhall confirmed that Hall underwent surgery and is out for the year.

"He's in good spirits," Mendenhall said. "We expect a full recovery. He sustained a left ankle injury. He had surgery Sunday morning. He is recovering well. He will not return this season, and we'll help him rehab for his next opportunity. Rehab timeline is uncertain depending on his healing."

The injury will clearly have an impact on Virginia’s defense, but the emotional impact will be just as serious.

“Bryce has had and does have a huge impact on our program,” Mendenhall said. “On the bus after the game he was sitting right behind me, and I turned, and one of the few times – I usually have something kind of quick-witted to say to our players, and nothing came. I said, ‘Yeah, I've got nothing.’”

De'Vante Cross, who had been a backup free safety, is expected to replace Hall in the lineup.

The team will need to move on without him starting with Duke.

"Bryce was right in the core of that developing the simple idea that no one believed more than him," Mendenhall said. "So believe was what – he does believe in our program. He asked his teammates to do that. I think it was hard for us to keep the players away from him when he was out there. They wanted to surround him. They wanted to touch, support him. And they will."

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