Postgame Takeaways: Wahoos put on a show for the ages in FSU win
UVa got up early and then had to come back late before making huge plays in multiple OTs on Friday night to upset No. 8 Florida State 46-38. With the victory, the Cavaliers moved to 4-1, 2-0 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 dramatic win over the Noles.
1. UVa’s running game is legit.
UVa put together scoring drives of 81, 75, 74, and 75 yards in what was one of the most physical trench games in recent memories. Simply put, down arguably its two (if not three) offensive linemen, the Wahoos bullied the Seminoles on the ground and racked up 229 yards rushing. Simply put: This was an eye-opening performance for the O-line and Virginia’s ability to run whenever it needed to spoke volumes about the potential of this team.
That was made most clear on the drive where QB Chandler Morris dinged his throwing hand on a helmet in the third quarter. It was the third play of what ended up being a 12-play, 74-yard scoring drive that took 6:13 off the clock. Following that 8-yard completion to Trell Harris when Morris injured his hand, UVa ran the ball nine times, culminating in his own 7-yard rushing TD with 3:45 left.
There was a lot of impressive things on display in this game but Virginia’s ability to bully FSU in the running game might be the most amazing.
2. The Wahoos answered the call.
On its second scoring drive of the night, UVa went 15 plays and had not only faced a 2nd and 18, a 2nd and 11, and 3rd and goal from the 11…but converted all of them. All told, Virginia finished 7-for-13 on 3rd down and converted both of its 4th-down attempts, too. Add in the way the team never seem phased by losing its early lead or having to claw back in OT to stay even before putting the go-ahead score on the board, and it’s safe to say the Wahoos were primed for the fight on Friday night.
3. Kam Robinson was everywhere.
It sure does help a defense to have a guy like No. 5 that they can use like a Swiss Army Knife, huh? The uber-talented linebacker finished with 10 tackles, a sack, a TFL, and QBH. Combined with safety Devin Neal and his 12-tackle performance, Robinson and the defense made enough plays to get the job done even if there were some tackling issues at times overall that need to be cleaned up.
4. The aggressiveness and belief showed.
Credit to Tony Elliott and his staff for practicing what they preach. The UVa head coach talked postgame about how the most important factor was belief, that guys believed this could happen not just on Friday night but in the months and practices and film sessions leading in. He praised his guys for not just their play on the field but also the way they went about handling their business in preparation all week.
But it was Elliott’s faith in his team and his aggressive mindset to go for a pair of early 4th downs that underscored why the Wahoos were there and what they wanted.
Can’t be in a fight if you don’t step into the ring. Against a Top-10 team in front of a national audience, Virginia did that and came out on top in part because it never backed down.
5. The crowd was giving some serious 90s vibes.
Finally, even aside from the (incredible) 1995 throwback uniforms, Scott Stadium was alive like it was the 90s all over again. The Hill and student section were packed to the gills, the crowd was amped and never waned, and the field storm was a thing of beauty.
In a college football world that sometimes can drain a lot of the fun out of it, UVa turned the clock back to a time when it was successful in a myriad ways.
Charlottesville vibrated at a different frequency and if fans couldn’t help but think about more nights like that one.
