It has been over 20 years since UVA last broke into the top 12 of college football. Today, UVA Football moved up another three spots to No. 12 in the AP Poll following its 31-21 victory over the California Golden Bears. The Hoos now stand alone atop the ACC after Georgia Tech, previously undefeated in conference play, fell to NC State in a wild shootout. Miami also suffered an overtime loss to SMU on Saturday, further securing UVA’s position. UVA is now off to their best start since 1990, and just three wins away from a guaranteed ACC Championship appearance. With UVA’s ranking only improving, the Cavaliers have the potential to make the playoffs by finishing within the top 12 — an impressive feat for a team that went 5-7 just last year. Before the start of the year, UVA was predicted to finish with a similar record, and likely part ways with head coach Tony Elliot.
Against California, the Hoo’s offense exploded for another 450-plus-yard game behind J’Mari Taylor’s two-touchdown performance. The Hoos have averaged nearly 200 rushing yards per game this season under their star running backs leadership. Taylor transferred from North Carolina Central University this past January and started off the game against California Golden Bears football with a signature 25-yard touchdown finish with 122 rushing yards.
Quarterback Chandler Morris, another transfer from North Texas, had a solid day with 262 passing yards and no interceptions. Through the air, UVA has averaged 250 yards per game, powered by Morris and his favorite receiver, Trell Harris. Harris notched another game as UVA’s lead receiver, hauling in five passes for 68 yards.
A few concerning special teams plays made the game closer than it needed to be, including a missed field goal and failed fake field goal attempt. In an attempt to seal the game in the fourth quarter, UVA also failed on a fourth-and-two, giving Cal a brief chance to tie the game. Yet an interception returned for a touchdown by Kam Robinson finally lifted UVA over Cal. In his post game press conference, head coach Tony Elliot called the play “good complimentary football,” an important characteristic for a team gearing up for a postseason run. “This is where we got to try to prime up and get rolling on all cylinders,” Coach Elliot remarked about the Hoos’ attitude for the rest of the season.
The game was also a classic example of UVA’s elite play in crunch time, who are 4-1 in one-score games this season. Hoos football is now stressfully referred to as the “Cardiac Cavs” for their countless wins that have come down to the final minutes. As one of the elite teams in college football, UVA has been facing every team’s best shot each week and weathered them with remarkable poise.
UVA’s final three games are against Wake Forest, Duke, and Virginia Tech. If they win out, UVA will secure a spot in the ACC championship on December 6th. For UVA fans who remember the team’s wild run starting after its victory over FSU in September, it is possible that the Cavaliers’ Cinderella story will continue into College Football Playoff competition for the first time in school history.
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