Despite late comeback, No. 16 UVa falls 27-20 in ACC title game

After a long, often frustrating game for No. 16 Virginia (10-3, 7-2 ACC), Chandler Morris’ four-quarter pass to Eli Wood to tie the ACC Championship in the final minute of regulation sparked hope that the Cavaliers could still win their first-ever outright conference title.

But Morris’ next throw, an interception that Duke’s Luke Mergott hauled in on the first offensive play of overtime, snuffed out that spark and handed Duke the ACC Championship 27-20.

In a rematch of UVa’s 34-17 regular season win over the Blue Devils, the Cavaliers played behind all game. Duke (8-5, 7-2 ACC) began with a grueling 16-play, 75-yard opening drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown reception from Darian Mensah to Jeremiah Hasley. 

But the drive nearly ended 10 plays in, with Duke electing to punt on 4th and 7 before the Hoos were called for jumping offsides. The Blue Devils then elected to go for it and got it, extending the drive, which ultimately took 9:38 off the clock. It’s the longest drive in ACC Championship Game history.

When Morris and the offense finally retook the field, they drove 47 yards in eight plays. But a tackle for loss and sack back to back forced UVa to try a 45-yard field goal, which Will Bettridge was unable to hit.

But the Wahoos had a chance to redeem themselves when Corey Costner snagged an interception off of Mensah, giving the ball back to Virginia at the 23. With the short field, the Hoos found the end zone in just three plays when J’Mari Taylor, one play removed from hitting the 1,000-yard mark on the season, hauled in a reception from Morris and punched it in from 11 yards out. It was his first receiving TD of the year.

But Duke responded by going on yet another lengthy touchdown drive, this time 13 plays for 75 yards, taking up 8:02, which included two more fourth down conversions. (It’s now the second-longest drive in ACC Championship game history.)

Neither team scored for the rest of the half, as Duke entered the locker room up 14-7.

After the intermission, Morris and the Hoos put together a lengthy drive of their own — 17 plays, 86 yards in 7:41 — but had to settle for a field goal. (It’s now the third-longest drive in ACC Championship Game history.)

Their next two drives ended with Morris’ first interception of the day and then a turnover on downs, as the Duke defense continued to stifle UVa’s once-reliable offense.

During that stretch, the Blue Devils made it to the red zone twice, but settled for two more field goals both times to extend its lead to 20-10. The Cavaliers added another field goal with 3:54 remaining to cut the lead back down to one possession, and after the defense came up with a stop, the Hoos got the ball back at their 4-yard line with just 1:44 remaining.

With their backs against the wall, Morris drove the Hoos 96 yards in 10 plays, aided in part by holding and pass interference calls on the Blue Devils. UVa capped it off with the touchdown from Morris to Wood late. In overtime, the defense nearly delivered their own heroics when they stuffed Duke three straight times at the 1, but Mensah found Jeremiah Hasley on 4th and goal to put the Blue Devils back on top.

It was Morris’ second INT of the day that sealed Duke’s win, as UVa called a trick play that failed miserably. After initially handing off to Taylor, Morris faded left and caught a lateral from his star RB. He then looked downfield and tried to sling it in a tight spot to Wood. But two defenders were there and Mergott came down with the ball to ignite the Duke celebration.

Morris finished the day 21-for-40 passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns to go with his two INTs. Mensah went 19-for-25 for 196 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He was tabbed afterwards as the game’s MVP.

Taylor finished with 65 yards on 15 attempts, with Harrison Waylee carrying some of the load, rushing for 66 yards on 11 attempts. Nate Sheppard finished with 97 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown for the Blue Devils.

Duke finished with a 34:24 to 25:36 time-of-possession advantage.