Look at the possessions from the UVA game:
UVAs 1st series: After a 50+ yd KO return, they started on our 34. We held them to 16 yrds and a FG.
2 Series: 4 plays Punt
3 Series: 3 Plays Punt
4 Series: UVA recovered onsides kick in GT territory. GT held UVA to FG.
5 Series: 4 plays Punt
6 Series: 3 plays punt
7 Series: 5 plays fumble
8 Series: Kickoff Return TD
9 Series: 3 plays Punt
10 Series: 1 play INT TD
11 Series: 8 plays for 78 yds TD
12 Series: UVA intercepted the ball on our 30. Scored TD
13 Series: 4 plays Punt
14 Series: 3 plays Punt
15 Series: UVA starts on the GT 43 due to poor punt. GT holds UVA to FG.
16 Series: 3 plays Punt
17 Series: 3 plays Punt
18 Series: UVA drives 64 yds for TD
19 Series: End of game
So, we can argue that the D surrendered 31 points, but only 14 of those points came on sustained drives. The D was constantly given poor field position, and still managed to hold UVA to FGs instead of TDs.
So, for all you guys who keep blaming the D for everything, what exactly is it that you want? UVA had 18 possessions. We played well on most of them. Conversely, our offense DID NOT make use of their possessions to actively move the ball. much less score. Of our 36 points, the Defense, which we seem to want to blame for this loss, scored 7. At some point, every defense makes mistakes, and when you keep giving the opposing team short fields, it's going to magnify those mistakes.
Now, is our D good? No. It's middle tier and inconsistent. But it's no longer bad, and that's an improvement I don't think we're willing to admit. I think we'll see even more progress next year, and hopefully build some depth along the way.