Virginia wins 31-21 over North Carolina, leads ACC Coastal Division!

By:Darrell Owens

Headline Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network

The night before the North Carolina (1-5) and Virginia (5-2) matchup at Scott Stadium, Charlottesville and the rest of The state of Virginia had to deal with what meteorologist would call a northeaster, a very unique rain storm with impressive amounts of wind and rain. Myself, had a one-on-one encounter with the storm broadcasting Friday night high school football in Nottoway County, Virginia. I left that game soaked and wet. I also knew I was heading to Charlotteville in the morning to cover Virginia vs North Carolina and accepted that the weather would be the same as the night before. Well, the football gods smiled upon the Virginia faithful and myself, as the sun would come out bright and shiny and we would be in store for cool 62 degree weather and a very competitive football game!

Virginia received the ball first and started this game off perfectly with a 13 play, 83 yard drive which featured a heavy dose of Quarterback Bryce Perkins & Running Back Jordan Ellis. Perkins would finished that drive off with a 10-yard touchdown run, giving UVA the early 7-0 lead.

North Carolina would fire right back going on a 11 play, 75 yard drive. North Carolina Junior Quarterback Nathan Elliott, would throw a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass to WR Dazz Newcome tying this game up at 7-7 a piece. On Virginia’s next possession, Perkins would find Junior Wide Receiver Joe Reed for a 27-yard touchdown pass right before the end of the 1st quarter putting The Cavs back on top 14-7 at the end of the first.

Halfway threw the (7:32) 2nd quarter , Virginia Kicker, Brian Delaney knocks in a 37-yard field goal to extend UVA lead 17-7. Before halftime, the Tar Heels would strike again, Elliott would find his Tight End Carl Tucker in the end zone on a 16-yard touchdown pass to close the lead down 17-14.

Early In the 3rd quarter (13:11), Perkins continued to show off his arm with 33-yard touchdown pass to Junior Wide Receiver Hasise Dubois increasing Virginia’s lead to 24-14 over North Carolina. The Cavs would start the 4th quarter on the right foot, as Perkins would found his TIght End Evan Butts for a 16-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone to put the game out of reach, Virginia was now leading 31-14. The Tar Heels would score one last time as RUnning Back Michael Carter would pound his way into the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run, but the Tar Heels time would run out! The Cavs would win this game 31-21 over The Tar Heels.

North Carolina now (1-6, 1-4 ACC) had some shining moments in this game and keep it close up until halftime. Unfortunately Virginia won the time of possession in this game by 18 minutes. It’s hard to keep it close when you don’t have the football.

Virginia would move their record on the season to (6-2, 4-1 ACC), also becoming Bowl eligible in the process.  UVA QB Bryce Perkins had a great day for the Cavs going 18 for 27 with 3 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing. Cavs WR Olamide Zaccheaus (213) would became Virginia’s all-time leader in receptions passing Billy McMullen (210) during the game. The Virginia’s defense has been great at home in Scott Stadium, allowing only 12.5 points per game. The question is how far can this Virginia team go? Can they win the ACC? Currently they lead the Coastal division and that’s the first step. Let’s see how the Cavs do over the next few week.

Virginia next game is Friday vs Pittsburgh at Home.

North Carolina will take on Georgia Tech next Saturday in Chapel Hill.