Virginia
Hitting the Keys: Looking Back at Our Five Keys to Virginia vs. Boston College
After Virginia football’s signature win over Boston College, we take a look back at our keys to victory for the Cavaliers, analyzing how they executed each one:
If you want to read the original article: UVA Football: Five Keys to a Virginia Victory over Boston College
Limit Big Plays
The Cavaliers did a decent job on this key. Boston College’s longest play from scrimmage was a 34-yard catch by Kamari Morales, which was one of five plays that went for 20+ yards for the Eagles. Only one of those plays, a 29-yard touchdown catch by Morales, went for a touchdown as the UVa defense forced the Boston College offense to gradually drive down the field if they wanted to score. Most importantly, four of those five big plays came in the first half as the Cavalier defense smothered the Eagles in the second half.
Ironically, Virginia’s defense had the longest play from scrimmage when the Boston College offense was on the field in a 40-yard fumble recovery touchdown by Jonas Sanker to put Virginia up 24-14. A clutch heads up play by Sanker sealed the Virginia victory at Scott Stadium. Overall, Virginia succeeded with this key, as Boston College struggled to find rhythm offensively after some early success and could never have a true momentum sparking moment when Castellanos and co. were on the field.
Win the Second Half
The Cavaliers executed this key to perfection, outscoring Boston College 18-0 in the second half with all those points coming in the fourth quarter. This total could’ve been higher if it weren’t for a missed field goal by Will Bettridge and Virginia’s turnover on downs on the Boston College two yard line, which will be discussed in a later key.
One of Tony Elliott’s buzz words this season has been “complementary football” and the Hoos demonstrated that to perfection. In the fourth quarter, Virginia scored 15 points off turnovers with a Chico Bennett interception setting up a 30-yard touchdown catch by Malachi Fields that was placed beautifully by Colandrea two plays later, and then Sanker had the fumble recovery touchdown on the ensuing Boston College possession.
Further, the halftime adjustments that Elliott and his coaching staff made were pivotal to Virginia’s success in addition to the belief the team maintained that the game was far from over at halftime despite having zero touchdowns in the first half.
UVA Football Report Card: Handing Out Grades for Virginia vs. Boston College
No Turnovers
When Colandrea throws zero interceptions, the Cavaliers are 3-0 in the last two years. Against Boston College, Colandrea played a clean game with zero interceptions, showing maturity and poise in the pocket. Looking at the running backs, Kobe Pace and Xavier Brown secured the football, producing zero fumbles, complementing Colandrea’s performance. Although the UVa offense did not have the greatest day, it played steady and executed when needed.
Pound the Rock
The Virginia rushing attack did not have its best outing, but not its worst performance. The Cavaliers finished with 121 yards on the ground, with Kobe Pace leading the way with 83 yards on 19 carries. The rushing attack wore down the Boston College defense as Virginia persistently ran the ball, which eventually led to a 20-yard rush by Pace that opened up the BC defense, allowing Colandrea to find Fields for the game-winning touchdown. Virginia rushed the ball 37 times on Saturday, which certainly took a toll on the Eagles’ defensive line.
Play Smart Football
The decision that needs to be discussed is the 4th and goal on the two yard line where Coach Elliott opted to go for it and failed to convert. The smart and conservative decision is to kick the field goal, you have a depleted wide receiver core, kicking is probably your best option. The second option is if you go for it you get the ball to your playmaker in Malachi Fields, Virginia failed to do either of those options.
It was a series of poor decisions during that sequence that luckily did not cost the Cavaliers.
Besides that one play, Virginia did well in this key, playing clean special teams and limiting penalties (five for 28 yards).
Virginia Football Opens as Home Underdog vs. Louisville in Week 7
UVA Football Report Card: Handing Out Grades for Virginia vs. Boston College
By the Numbers: Breaking Down Virginia’s Win Over Boston College
VIDEO: Sanker, Colandrea, Pace & More React to UVA’s Win Over Boston College
UVA Football: Five Takeaways From Virginia’s 24-14 Win Over Boston College
Virginia
Annandale teen and grandmother killed in Christmas day crash
A Fairfax County family is demanding justice, saying the driver who caused a crash that killed a grandmother and a high school student is out free while they’re grieving an unimaginable loss.
The Vu family, from Annandale, was at a holiday dinner on Christmas day, but on their drive home, Virginia State police say another driver rear-ended the Vu family’s van on the Beltway in Fairfax County.
Duy Cao was driving the van — her 75-year-old mother, Su Nguyen, and her 15-year-old daughter, Annie Vu, were killed.
The family said according to Virginia State police, the driver who hit them was going more than 100 miles per hour.
“I don’t know how to, how to live,” Cao said, sitting alongside her husband An Vu, as the couple
gasped through their grief and recover from their own injuries.
There were six people in their van, and everyone was rushed to the emergency room, including their son, Annie’s brother, 12-year-old Andy.
“When he came out of it, his first question was, you know, ‘Where is Annie?’” said Kathie Vu, Annie’s godmother.
She says Annie’s brother was just released from the hospital four days ago and is struggling to cope with losing his sister and grandmother.
“My mom, the best. My mom, she came here, 11-years-old. She takes care of my children,” Cao said.
Nguyen was a devout catholic who helped raise the kids while their parents worked. Annie was a bright student at Annandale High School, where the principal says grief counselors have been made available for students.
At the beginning of this school year, Annie introduced herself to her classmates in her AP Seminar class at Annandale High School. Her principal shared with News4 what she wrote about herself. She told her classmates to count on her to always be hard-working, respectful and collaborative. She talked about her family and how her grandmother taught her to speak some Vietnamese. She hoped to major in biology at the University of Virginia saying, “although I don’t know what to do in the healthcare field, I’m sure I want to help others.”
“The other day, I heard my brother-in-law say, ‘There will be no more Christmas now.’ They’re always going to come into this time of year thinking about what happened,” Kathie Vu said.
The Vu family is demanding answers about the man who hit their car. Virginia State Police have not released his name nor any charges. The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney says reckless driving charges were filed, but News4 hasn’t been able to confirm that via court records.
While News4 has not been able to confirm if reckless driving charges have actually been filed against the driver who allegedly caused this deadly crash, the prosecutor’s office says it is waiting for the results of a toxicology test. Once those results are back, it could determine what charges the driver might face.
The family says that misdemeanor charge isn’t enough, they want him tried for involuntary manslaughter.
“I want everybody to pray for my mother-in-law and for my daughter so they can, you know, in heaven,” An Vu said.
Virginia
Former Oklahoma Sooners DB transferring to West Virginia
The Oklahoma Sooners are fully in the swing of transfer portal season in early January, as they’re making additions to the roster and seeing former players land at their new schools. The portal officially opened on January 2nd, and it will be open until January 16th.
One of the latest players to find his new school is former OU defensive back Maliek Hawkins, who has committed to West Virginia. Hawkins is the son of former Oklahoma defensive back Mike Hawkins Sr., who played for the Sooners in 2002 and then played multiple years in the NFL. He’s the younger brother of former OU quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who started five games in Norman over the last two seasons. Both Hawkins brothers are now headed to Morgantown, with the older Hawkins hoping to win the starting QB job, and the younger Hawkins hoping to crack the rotation at cornerback.
Hawkins was a member of Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class, signing with the Sooners as a three-star recruit. He played in just one game during his true freshman season, and now arrives at WVU as a package deal with his older brother.
Despite the Sooners expecting to return starters Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory at the CB spots in 2026, the portal exits of Hawkins, Devon Jordan, Gentry Williams, and Kendel Dolby have thinned the depth at that position. With Jacobe Johnson also expected to return, Oklahoma will be looking to add a key rotational cornerback or two in the transfer portal ahead of next year.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
Virginia
Virginia state trooper injured in Beltway crash following pursuit
ALEXANDRIA, VA. – A Virginia State Police trooper was injured in a crash during a pursuit on Interstate 495 Sunday afternoon, according to the Virginia State Police.
At 3:47 p.m., a trooper attempted to stop a Honda Accord for reckless driving on Interstate 495 westbound. The vehicle refused to stop, leading to a pursuit, a press release says.
The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle exited at Van Dorn Street. The trooper terminated the pursuit to avoid a collision with another vehicle, resulting in the police vehicle going off the road and striking a tree.
Trooper’s condition and ongoing investigation
What we know:
The trooper involved in the crash suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, according to the release. The injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The incident is still under investigation by Virginia State Police to determine the exact circumstances and any potential charges against the driver of the Honda Accord.
What we don’t know:
The identity of the driver of the Honda Accord and whether they have been apprehended remains unknown at this time.
The Source: Information from a Virginia State Police press release.
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
Business1 week agoInstacart ends AI pricing test that charged shoppers different prices for the same items
-
Business1 week agoApple, Google and others tell some foreign employees to avoid traveling out of the country
-
Technology1 week agoChatGPT’s GPT-5.2 is here, and it feels rushed
-
Politics1 week ago‘Unlucky’ Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle