Steve DeShazo

Joined: Jun 2, 2026

Steve DeShazo spent 39 years as sports editor, reporter and columnist for The Free Lance-Star newspaper in Fredericksburg, Va. He has covered University of Virginia sports for more than four decades, dating to his undergraduate days in the 1980s when he crossed paths with Ralph Sampson. He currently resides with his wife Christine in Arlington, Va., where he enjoys live music, playing pickup basketball and walking his 100-pound dog, Bear.

Aug 29, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Noah Vaughn (3) rushes the ball during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

Aug 29, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers cornerback Omillio Agard (20) celebrates a defensive stop during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

Aug 29, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott before the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

Aug 29, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Landon Danley (32) celebrates a fumble recovery during the second quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

Right tackle Monroe Mills made his Virginia debut Saturday.

There wasn't a ton of competition in Week Zero, but four Virginia football players earned Atlantic Coast Conference player of the week honors at their respectiv

Aug 29, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers safety Brandyn Hillman (6) gestures to the crowd during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

CJ Bailey called it "bad luck." Virginia's defenders might beg to differ. Following the worst statistical start of his college career, Bailey was asked to evalu

Aug 29, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Beau Pribula (7) hands off to running back Jekail Middlebrook (21) during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

Football coaches are notorious perfectionists, but even Tony Elliott and his staff will have a tough time finding much to complain about when they review the ta

Xavier Brown celebrates a massive touchdown.

Maybe now they'll get more than one vote in the AP poll. Preseason skepticism -- at least externally -- surrounded the Virginia football team. Even after winnin

Sep 6, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) runs with the football guarded by Virginia Cavaliers safety Devin Neal (27) during the first half of the game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Season openers don't get much bigger than this one, as Virginia hosts NC State on Saturday. Here's what you need to know about the Cavaliers' first contest of

Nov 1, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarter back CJ Bailey (11) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Mention NC State football to any Virginia fan, and one name almost automatically immediately arises: CJ Bailey. And with good reason. The junior quarterback tor

Sep 22, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Mike Hollins (7) is tackled by North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Sean Brown (0) during the third quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The eve of gameday has arrived after an offseason odyssey. At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Virginia and NC State will battle for first place in the ACC. It is a high-sta

Nov 29, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Maddox Marcellus (11) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

One of the few times Virginia's defense failed to rise to the occasion last season was the Cavaliers' Week 2 nonconference loss to N.C. State. The Wolfpack roll

Nov 22, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. (1) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Huskies at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Football

Virginia will be without its projected No. 1 wide receiver for Saturday's season opener against N.C. State, while star linebacker Kam Robinson remains a game-ti

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Cazeem Moore (6) pressures Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) in the second half during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The most important abililty, it's often said, is availability. As Virginia and N.C. State prepare for Saturday's high-stakes season opener, both teams have had

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott runs off the field after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels in overtime at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Ahead of the Cavaliers’ season opener Saturday against NC State, the Virginia On SI staff submitted their predictions for the season. Below, read the forecast f

Nov 1, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Kam Robinson (5) reacts after sacking California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (not pictured) during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Football

In last year's matchup, Virginia's defense had few answers for N.C. State's C.J. Bailey. The mobile quarterback ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in

Steve DeShazo

Joined: Jun 2, 2026

How can Virginia's offense evolve after its impressive opener?

Virginia Football Snap Count Analysis: Biggest Winners, Losers and Role Changes

Tony Elliott's two big decisions paid off handsomely in Virginia's opener

National media discovered Virginia is no one-year wonder

ACC recognizes four Cavaliers after dominant opener

Virginia's defense made a statement in opener against NC State

Whose stock rose and fell in Virginia's season opening win?

Virginia's opener shows that last season wasn't a fluke

Here's what you need to know about Virginia's season opener against NC State

Here are five key NC State players Virginia needs to watch today

Staff predictions — how will Virginia fare against NC State?

These three defensive players will be key to Virginia's hopes against NC State

Virginia Releases First Availability Report Ahead of Saturday's Game vs NC State

Virginia-NC State outcome may be determined by who's available

Staff predictions for the 2026 Virginia football season — great success abound?

Might Virginia's defense play spy games against NC State QB CJ Bailey?