Postgame Takeaways: Cavaliers keep momentum with win over Cards
No. 24 UVa found a way to get it done on Saturday and beat Louisville 30-27 in overtime. With the win, the Cavaliers moved to 5-1, 3-0 ACC on the year and now remain firmly in control of their own destiny in the conference race.
Following each game this season, we’re going to break down five takeaways. So let’s dive into the victory over the Cards.
1. Wahoos put together a gutsy win to earn their bye week.
It’s one thing to win. It’s another thing to win on the road. It’s another thing to win on the road against an undefeated team. And it’s another thing to win on the road against an undefeated team after you’ve lost a 10-point lead.
But that’s what UVa did on Saturday afternoon.
It’s hard to put too fine a point on just what it took the last two weeks to win the two overtime games that the Hoos did, but they found a way in both instances. They made a number of important plays in important spots, especially when those plays had been hard to come by at other times in the game.
Whereas UVa was able to answer every punch that FSU threw, it took a village for sure on Saturday in Derby City. The Cavaliers had to not only believe but they also had to have a short memory, which can be a tough thing for teams without a history of winning.
Through this season thus far, UVa is teaching itself those lessons.
2. The offensive line desperately needs a week off.
Without several important pieces, Virginia’s O-line was able to still run all over FSU. Without its starting left tackle for much of Saturday’s game too, things were even harder.
Virginia put up just 237 yards of total offense, including just 88 on the ground. The Hoos were 6-for-16 on 3rd down and 2-for-3 on 4th. They averaged just 2.8 yards per rush and gave up a pair of sacks.
But in the biggest possession of the game, they got a huge play on 1st down on a beautiful throw from Chandler Morris to John Rogers to set up an even shorter field, with Morris getting them all the way to 2 before J’Mari Taylor punched it in.
When the team needed it, the offense found a way. Now, they need to get some guys healthy, especially along the line.
3. Defensive scores were absolutely huge.
On a day when UVa’s offense was uncharacteristically meager, the defense helped tremendously. Not only did the Wahoos hold Louisville to just 54 rushing yards but both Donovan Platt had a scoop-and-score and Kam Robinson had a pick-six.
It’s obvious to say that without those plays, the Wahoos don’t come back east with an unblemished conference record.
On a day when the D racked up five sacks and held the Cards to 7-for-17 on 3rd down and 1-for-2 on 4th, it’s fair to give that group it flowers.
So far this year, the D hasn’t been a huge asset in the way the offense has been. At Louisville, the defense was especially important and timely.
4. This level of confidence and momentum is unusual.
How many games like that has UVa lost? Heck, the Cavaliers lost what felt like a somewhat similar game to Louisville the last time they made the trip.
And yet, just as in the win over the Seminoles, Virginia found a way in large part because of its confidence.
To lose Morris when the Hoos did and then to not miss a beat and score what looked like the easiest game winner in OT, it says a lot about the team, the program, and the momentum its building.
5. The Cavaliers have a reasonable path to the CFP.
Finally, you might want to read that again. Okay, one more time.
Yeah, this feels crazy to type but it’s every bit as accurate as it is unreal.
The Wahoos will be in the driver’s seat in the league race, which sets up a scenario where even if they lose the ACC Championship, they sneak into the field. Win it? And, yeah….
In the vernacular of our current generation: What a time to be alive.
