Virginia
Hitting the Keys: Looking Back at Our Five Keys to Virginia vs. Louisville
After Virginia football’s close defeat to Louisville, we take a look back at our keys to victory for the Cavaliers, analyzing how they executed each one in their first ACC loss of the year:
If you want to read the original article: UVA Football: Five Keys to a Virginia Victory over Louisville
An Injured Virginia Secondary Rises to the Occasion
With Antonio Clary out for this game, the Virginia secondary entered Saturday depleted and needed backups to step up to the big stage. Ethan Minter did just that with an interception in the fourth quarter to help maintain the Virginia lead, a massive play by the true freshman safety, embracing the next-man-up mentality. Despite that one play, the Cavaliers secondary struggled at other times, including allowing a 61-yard gain in the air by Ja’Corey Brooks, which, thankfully only ended in a field goal. The UVA secondary gave up some big plays, but was not the primary reason this game ended in a loss.
Pressure Pressure Pressure
The Cavaliers struggled to get pressure on Louisville’s Tyler Shough, managing to record only two sacks and one quarterback hit. Allowing Shough to have time allowed him to get into a rhythm, which, towards the end of the game, ended up being the dagger for the Cavaliers as Shough looked way too comfortable on that game-winning touchdown drive.
Need a Spark Play
Did a spark play happen? Yes
Did Virginia capitalize on the momentum? No
Xavier Brown’s 46-yard touchdown reception to take the lead was the spark that Virginia needed. A massive touchdown in the fourth quarter put the Cavaliers ahead and in a firm position to pull off the upset against an ACC foe. Despite this, Virginia appeared to be lost offensively after the touchdown. Anthony Colandrea and Malachi Fields miscommunicated on multiple routes on drives after the touchdown, which was extremely sloppy and concerning, especially in the game’s final quarter. Virginia appeared to have almost taken their foot off the gas as their offensive efficiency faltered after the massive touchdown—a disappointing end for the Cavaliers.
Establish the Run
148 yards on the ground for the Cavaliers on Saturday, not great.
On the ground, Anthony Colandrea led the way with 84 yards rushing. At times, Kobe Pace showed flashes of the Virginia running game getting started. Still, it never truly sparked, putting more weight on the depleted wide receiver unit that struggled, especially in the critical moments.
Depleted Wide Receiver Core Steps Up
Malachi Fields led the way with 129 yards in the air, filling the void for Trell Harris and Chris Tyree, who both missed their second game in a row. Behind Fields, Kameron Courtney, Jaden Gibson, and Andre Greene Jr. struggled to create separation on their routes, creating tough throws for Colandrea, especially on that final drive where the sophomore needed more options for where to throw the ball. UVA needs to get its WR room healthy as soon as possible.
UVA Football Report Card: Handing Out Grades for Virginia vs. Louisville
By the Numbers: Breaking Down Virginia’s Loss to Louisville
UVA Football: Five Takeaways From Virginia’s 24-20 Loss to Louisville
VIDEO: Malachi Fields, Anthony Colandrea & More React to Louisville Loss
Virginia
Events canceled due to unhealthy air quality in central Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Events scheduled for Friday, July 17 are being canceled across the Richmond area due to poor air quality making it unsafe to be outside.
City of Richmond
- All camp programs are indoors on Friday.
- Outdoor city pools will also be closed Friday. Indoor swimming is available at Bellemede Community Center Pool (1800 Lynhaven Avenue, open until 8 p.m.) and Swansboro Pool (3160 Midlothian Turnpike, open until 8 p.m.).
- The scheduled Festival of the Arts performance at Dogwood Dell (KOS BAND) has been canceled.
- The Salvation Army at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue will be a center for cooling and air quality relief from 2 p.m, on Friday, July 17 to 8 a.m. Saturday, July 18 and from 12 to 5 p.m.
Colonial Downs
Colonial Downs in New Kent canceled live racing for Friday but will continue on Saturday at an earlier-than-normal 11:30 a.m. post time. Military Appreciation Day at Colonial Downs is still on for Sunday, July 19.
Weather Updates
Some areas in Virginia area under a Code Purple Alert, which means everyone should limit their time outside, especially children, older adults, and those with lung and heart diseases.
Click here to track the air quality near you.
Copyright 2026 WWBT. All rights reserved.
Virginia
Did you know West Virginia has an official state gun?
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia has plenty of state symbols, be it the black bear as the state animal, the cardinal as the state bird or the rhododendron as the state flower, but did you know that the Mountain State also has its own official gun?
The Hall Flintlock Model 1819 was first manufactured in Harpers Ferry by John H. Hall in 1811 and was adopted by the United States Army in 1819, making it the first breech-loading rifle ever adopted by a country’s military.
All of this information is listed in Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, which was introduced and passed during the 2013 West Virginia Legislative session, and officially recognizes the Model 1819 as the official firearm of the State of West Virginia.
On top of being created in West Virginia, the resolution also points out that the rifle saw use during the Civil War, an event that directly led to West Virginia’s statehood.
While having an officially recognized state firearm may seem far-fetched, West Virginia is not the only state that has one. As a matter of fact, a fifth of the states in the country have officially designated a state firearm, including West Virginia’s neighbors in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Virginia
Virginia Tech HC James Franklin Gives High Praise For Clemson’s Dabo Swinney
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In this world of college football, with the transfer portal and recruiting battles, bad blood is present more than ever before between head coaches.
That’s not the case between the Virginia Tech head coach and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, however. In fact, Franklin revealed at ACC Kickoff on Thursday that the two are actually close friends, dating back to their time at the Nike trip that various coaches take over the summer.
“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said on Thursday. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends.”
The long-time Penn State head coach is making the move to the ACC after being fired from the Nittany Lions in October. 12 seasons of being with the program had Franklin hold a 44-21 record against top 10 opponents, an impressive record for a new conference foe of Swinney’s.
But when that trip comes around, there’s a camaraderie between Swinney and Franklin and both of their wives. In fact, the two hang out with each other instead of the other coaches at times. It simply comes to an “edgy” time in college athletics that raises tempers.
“I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily like the type of people that love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs,” Franklin said. “It’s hard when you just compete year-round.”
On Swinney’s end, there are a few who could immediately come to mind among Clemson fans. Perhaps the most recent would be Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, who played the most significant role in the tampering of former linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
It’s a select list of coaches who make the good side of the Tigers’ head coach, and Franklin is certainly on that list. On the other hand, Hokies’ head coach has Swinney on his own shortlist.
“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson, and what he’s done for the ACC,” he said.
The two will see that close relationship face off at Memorial Stadium this upcoming season. Clemson will host the Hokies on Oct. 24 in what could be a potential title-eliminator for the ACC Championship.
Of course, the last game that we’ve seen the Tigers play in was against Franklin’s former team in Penn State at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. That game ended in a 22-10 contest that saw a foundation of Franklin players end Clemson’s season in disappointment.
Swinney will see many of those players once again in October, including starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, in that contest. The anticipated Hokie starter recorded 260 yards and two passing touchdowns on the Tigers in the Bronx that day.
Although friends become foes, another ACC coach has given Swinney his flowers for what he’s been able to do for the conference. In the upcoming moments, Franklin will look to prepare his team to prove itself on one of the biggest stages in the ACC, while Swinney looks to put his team back at the top of a conference he’s dominated for over 15 years.
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