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.

Oct 17, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott argues a call during the first half against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Oct 10, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Beau Pribula (7) passes the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) passes the ball as Virginia Cavaliers defensive tackles Anthony Britton (55) and Jason Hammond (91) pressure in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Oct 10, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Da'shawn Martin (18) catches a touchdown pass as Syracuse Orange defensive back Chris Peal (12) defends in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Football

Sep 11, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Kam Robinson (5) looks on during the second quarter against the Norfolk State Spartans at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Saturday will definitely offer one first for the Virginia football team. The Cavaliers hope to reverse a couple of other trends as well. Shooting for their ini

Oct 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws the ball against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Despite a loss at Louisville last month, there are plenty of numbers that make the case that SMU is the second-best team in the ACC this season. The Mustangs ar

Sep 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; UC Davis Aggies quarterback Treynor Cleeland (5) throws the ball over SMU Mustangs defensive end Marques White (16) during the second quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Anyone old enough to remember life before the Internet also may recall the last time SMU was a national football power. The Mustangs went a combined 41-5-1 fro

Football

Tony Elliott understands the magitude of Virginia's assignment this week. His Virginia Cavaliers (4-2, 2-1 ACC) travel to SMU (4-1, 2-1) looking for a statement

Oct 10, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Xay Davis (25) gestures after gaining a first down against the Syracuse Orange in the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Football

At least six games remain on Virginia's 2026 football season. How the Cavaliers navigate the second half of their schedule will determine whether or not there'

Oct 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) runs with the ball against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Before the season even began, Virginia fans already had circled this Saturday's visit to SMU (noon, CW Network) as arguably the biggest challenge of the fall. T

There are no style points or asterisks attached to victories. It's a binary choice, measured exclusively by points on the scoreboard. Virginia's come-from-behi

Sep 5, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange linebacker Keyshawn Johnson (14) sacks New Hampshire Wildcats quarterback Brooks Bentley (7) causing a fumble during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Football

Like Virginia, Syracuse is coming off its worst defensive performance of the season. Unlike the Cavaliers, the Orange managed to win its last game. Despite allo

Sep 5, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange running back Tylik Hill (20) runs with the ball during the second half against the New Hampshire Wildcats at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Football

It's probably not surprising that a program which produced Jim Brown, Donovan McNabb and Marvin Harrison is capable of putting a lot of points on the board. In

Virginia guard Chance Mallory talks to the media at the 2026 ACC Tipoff in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Nell Redmond/ACC Photo)

Basketball

Once Ryan Odom knew that he'd have one of the nation's most experienced men's basketball teams, he prioritized challenging it as much as possible. Odom's Virgin

Oct 3, 2026; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Beau Pribula (7) throws the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

In a span of three weeks, the vibe around Virginia's football program has gone from optimism to uncertainty. Discouraging performances away from home against We

Virginia head coach Ryan Odom talks to the media at the 2026 ACC Tipoff in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Nell Redmond/ACC Photo)

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Ryan Odom has been on opposite sides of two of the most disappointing games in Virginia basketball history. As coach at UMBC, he led the Retrie

Steve DeShazo

Joined: Jun 2, 2026

Three things we learned from Virginia's loss to SMU

Staff Predictions for Virginia at No. 24 SMU: Can UVA Pull Off the Upset?

Three key defenders Virginia needs against SMU if they hope to pull the upset

Three Key Offensive Players for UVA against SMU: Who Needs To Step Up vs The Mustangs?

Three key matchups in Virginia's critical game against SMU

The SMU statistic that should concern Virginia fans the most

Here are 10 things Virginia fans should know about SMU football

Football

Notes and Quotes From Tony Elliott's Media Availability Before SMU

Football

Bowl Projections for Virginia Football Following Their Win Over Syracuse

The three biggest storylines in Virginia's visit to SMU Saturday

Stock report after Virginia's comeback win over Syracuse

Football

Three Syracuse defensive players to watch against Virginia On Saturday night

Three Syracuse offensive players to watch against Virginia On Saturday night

Notes, quotes and takeaways from Virginia Basketball At ACC Media Tipoff

Three questions Virginia must answer against Syracuse

These factors played a huge role in Cavaliers' roster retention