Virginia Dominates Louisville 27-3 in their first ACC contest of the year!

By:LaMonte Thomas Jr.

Headline Photo Credit:Darrell Owens-LMS Network

Saturday the mood was vibrant in Scott Stadium, known to the fans as “Hooville.” A sea of orange and blue filled the stands on Military Day. Though the Cavaliers had lost the last three meetings against Louisville, a confident energy was in the air. The Cardinals replaced seven starters on defense, and its heisman trophy winner QB Lamar Jackson now takes the field on Sundays for the Baltimore Ravens. 

The game started with a defensive mentality on both sides, as neither team corralled a drive over 8 or 9 plays; UVA kicker  AJ Mejia missed a 32 yd field goal after the 8 play, 61 yd drive; The true freshman would not kick field goals the rest of the game. UVA then turned to kicker Hunter Pearson, who managed to convert 2 fgs of 28 and 24 yds; giving them a 6-0 lead over Louisville at halftime. Although Virginia managed to gain 87 yds on the ground, neither team had any luck with the passing game in the 1st half, combining for 101 yds total.  

The Wahoos erupted in the 2nd half, as quarterback Bryce Perkins avoided a Louisville blitz before breaking a 36 yd run to LOU 15. The run was highlighted by an electrifying hurdle over Louisville safety Dee Smith at the Louisville 20. Perkins then hooked up with RB Chris Sharp for a 3 yd TD. 

Louisville failed to capitalize on a key turnover in the third quarter, as Perkins’s pass for Olamide Zaccheaus was intercepted by Rodjay Burns and returned to Virginia’s 3 yard line. Two rushing attempts by Jeremy Smith and one by Trey Smith fell short, ending in a field goal by Cardinals kicker Blanton Creque. Virginia led 13-3 going into the fourth, and their mere dominance would be the story thereafter. 

After Bryce Hall picked off Louisville quarterback Jawon Pass at the end of the third, UVA’s Perkins found Joe Reed over the middle as he scampied for a 44-yd TD. Pass’s day would get worse, as a  strip- sack by Aaron Faumui was recovered by Sophomore linebacker Charles Snowden who had a monster game (7 tackles 1 for loss, sack and fumble recovery with five minutes left to play)The turnover led to a 8-yd TD run by Bryce Perkins, who again displayed amazing athleticism, hurdling a defender at the goal line. Virginia wrecked Louisville 27-3 to protect home field. They move to 3-1 as they are on the road next week at Wake Forest, and the NCAA leader in all-purpose yards- WR Greg Dortch from Highland Springs High School. Louisville moves to 2-2 as they host Florida State, who holds the same record.