Virginia Pulls Stunning Upset, Knocks Off No. 10 North Carolina 31-27
An upset for the ages.
The Virginia Cavaliers, 1-5 on the season, winless in ACC play and no victories against an FBS opponent in over a year, went into Chapel Hill and knocked off No. 10 North Carolina on the road 31-27 on Saturday night in perhaps the most shocking upset in college football this season.
Virginia trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half, but the Cavaliers outscored the Tar Heels 17-3 over the final 20 minutes of the game. Tony Muskett found Malik Washington for a 14-yard touchdown to give UVA a 31-27 lead with less than nine minutes to play. The Cavalier defense then held strong for three-consecutive Tar Heel possessions to earn the win. The game was sealed on an incredible defensive play, with Paul Akere hitting Drake Maye from behind as he released his pass and James Jackson making a diving catch for the game-winning interception.
Virginia's rushing offense was the key, amassing 228 yards on the ground, the most for the Cavaliers against an ACC opponent in two years. Mike Hollins punched in three touchdowns on the ground on his own. Tony Muskett completed 20 of his 30 passing attempts for 208 yards and a touchdown, the 14-yard score to Malik Washington in the fourth quarter. Washington had himself another fantastic game, catching 12 passes for 115 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
With a program that has been around since 1882, Virginia had never defeated a top-10 ranked opponent on the road... until Saturday night. After what could be a program-defining victory, Virginia improves to 2-5 on the season and 1-2 in ACC play. The Cavaliers will look to build on this momentous win next week when they visit Miami on Saturday.
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