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LIVE Updates - Virginia Cavaliers vs NC State Wolfpack Football

Can the Cavaliers start the season 1-0?
Xander Tilock|
Nov 8, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers players run onto the field prior to their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers players run onto the field prior to their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In this story:

Virginia Cavaliers

Fourth quarter: Virginia wins 34-8.

NC State's 12th drive: The Wolfpack move the ball, but the clock hits triple zeroes and Virginia wins 34-8.

Virginia's 12th drive: The Cavaliers insert backups and run the ball. Sparks punt lands inside the NC State 20.

NC State's 11th drive: Bailey is taking a seat. The Wolfpack are rolling with a backup quarterback in garbage time. NC State goes three-and-out once again.

Virginia's 11th drive: The Cavaliers are calling it. Backup quarterback Eli Holstein is in the game with a multi-touchdown lead and roughly six minutes to play. Bettridge nals a 42-yard field goal to take an insurmountable 34-8 lead.

NC State's 10th drive: The Wolfpack go four-and-out.

Virginia's 10th drive: Eating up nearly half of the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers slugged down the field and scored on a one-yard touchdown by Xay Davis. Virginia leads 31-8.

Third quarter

Virginia 10th drive: Cavaliers end the quarter with a fourth-and-one awaiting at the NC State 43.

NC State ninth drive: After beginning at their own 40, the Wolfpack march down into Virginia territory. They author a five-minute touchdown drive despite a big sack from Jaylen Jones. NC State goes for two and successfully completes the conversion. Cavaliers lead 24-8.

Virginia ninth drive: The Cavaliers go three-and-out.

NC State eighth drive: The Wolfpack go three-and-out.

Virginia eighth drive: Pribula to Coleman for 20 yards, then to Courtney for eight yards. On a flea flicker, Pribula throws a 47-yard touchdown to Da'Shawn Martin. Cavaliers lead 24-0.

Second quarter: Virginia leads 17-0 at halftime

Virginia seventh drive: The Cavaliers run the ball twice, the clock runs out.

NC State seventh drive: Virginia forces a three-and-out.

Virginia sixth drive: Middlebrook runs for a gain of nine, then a gain of 15. Three plays later, the Cavaliers punt.

NC State sixth drive: The Wolfpack push down into the redzone, where Hillman forces a fumble by Bailey as he tried to scramble. Fumble recovered by the Cavaliers.

Virginia fifth drive: Pribula runs for a gain of 22. Two plays later, he is sacked for a loss of 10. Daniel Sparks punts the ball and NC State returns it midfield.

NC State fifth drive: Six plays, another punt by the Wolfpack. This punt by Jackson Waller lands at the Cavaliers' 11-yard line.

Virginia fourth drive: Five runs for gains, followed by Pribula's first completion (second passing attempt). Pribula's pass goes for seven yards to Connor Cox. Next play, Pribula completes a pass to Xavier Brown for roughly 20 yards, and Brown runs it the distance for a 45-yard touchdown. Cavaliers lead 17-0.

First quarter: Virginia 10, NC State 0

NC State fourth drive: Five plays, the Wolfpack punt it away to the Virginia 23.

Virginia third drive: Pribula runs for a gain of 22 yards. Xavier Brown rushes for a one-yard touchdown. Cavaliers lead 10-0.

NC State third drive: Bailey's pass deflected by Fisher Camac, intercepted by Brandyn Hillman.

Virginia second drive: Pribula runs for 18 yards, Jekail Middlebrook runs for 10 yards. Pribula stuffed on third down. Will Bettridge made 47-yard field goal. Cavaliers lead 3-0.

NC State second drive: Another three-and-out. Virginia defense stands strong.

Virginia opening drive: Beau Pribula runs for a first down, but three plays later, the Cavaliers punt.

Start of game — NC State opening drive: Virginia forces a three-and-out. Caleb Hardy sacks CJ Bailey for a loss of two yards.

Pregame

Star linebacker Kam Robinson is not in the starting lineup today. He was questionable as a gametime decision.

Here is the starting lineup for Virginia's first game of the year. Today's captains are QB Beau Pribula, RT Monroe Mills, DT Jason Hammond and LB Maddox Marcellus. Note that Tony Elliott rotated game captains for the first several games last year, until the Cavaliers elected permanent captains ahead of the team's ninth game.

Offense:

  • QB Beau Pribula
  • RB Jekail Middlebrook
  • WR Jacquon Gibson, Kam Courtney and Ty’Lyric Coleman
  • TE Dakota Twitty
  • LT McKale Boley
  • LG Noah Josey
  • C Drake Metcalf
  • RG Makilan Thomas
  • RT Monroe Mills

Defense:

  • DE Fisher Camac
  • DT Jason Hammond and Anthony Britton
  • BANDIT Matthew Fobbs-White
  • LB Maddox Marcellus and Landon Danley
  • CB Omillio Agard and Jacobie Henderson
  • SPUR Donavon Platt
  • S Brandyn Hillman and Ethan Minter

At long last, gameday has arrived. At 3:30, Virginia and NC State will play the first ACC game of the 2026 season. The result of this matchup could play a major role in the greater ACC landscape this year — and the Cavaliers are hoping to break a four-game skid against the Wolfpack.

This article will be continually updated throughout the day. Before kickoff, more articles can be found here.

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Published | Modified
Xander Tilock
XANDER TILOCK

Xander Tilock serves as the lead editor for Virginia on SI. He previously spent four years as a Senior Writer/Sports Editor for The Cavalier Daily, where he authored the publication’s most articles since 2017 and was named Literary Writer of the Year in 2023. Xander has been referenced on ACC Network, Yahoo Sports, Sirius XM ACC Radio, UVA Today, The Virginian-Pilot, and dozens of other publications nationwide. Outside of journalistic endeavors, Xander graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia in 2026. He is also a proud owner of the Green Bay Packers — and for a final twist, you can find him acting, writing, directing, and producing films and plays. Follow Xander on X @xandertilock

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