Virginia Averts Upset Bid by ODU on Farrell’s Game-Winning Field Goal

The UVA offense wakened simply within the nick of time. 

After mustering simply 13 factors via the primary 59 minutes of the sport, the Virginia offense was in a do-or-die state of affairs as Previous Dominion took its first lead of the sport with 1:01 left on the clock. Brennan Armstrong responded to the problem, main the Cavaliers down the sphere on a 6-play 56-yard drive to arrange a chip-shot 26-yard subject objective from Brendan Farrell. 

It was no certain factor nonetheless, as Farrell had simply missed a 36-yarder just some minutes earlier. This time, Farrell put the ball between the uprights, giving himself some private redemption and permitting Virginia to keep away from the upset bid by ODU with a nerve-wracking 16-14 victory on Saturday at Scott Stadium. 

The offense confirmed up late and Farrell was the hero on the finish, however for practically the whole thing of the sport, the Virginia protection carried the Cavaliers ahead. ODU’s solely two touchdowns got here in hurry-up conditions on the finish of the half and on the finish of the sport. Between these two scoring drives, Virginia pressured Previous Dominion to punt on five-consecutive drives, together with two three-and-outs, and the Cavaliers pressured eight ODU punts within the recreation. 

UVA held Previous Dominion to solely 118 yards of complete offense within the second half, greater than half of which got here on that remaining drive. Virginia sacked ODU quarterback Hayden Wolff 3 times within the second half and the Cavaliers did effectively to close down the ODU working recreation, which managed simply 89 yards on the bottom. 

Regardless of scoring solely 16 factors, the UVA offense regarded a lot better this week when in comparison with the unit’s 3-point efficiency at Illinois final Saturday. The Cavaliers put up 513 yards of complete offense, virtually 300 yards greater than they totaled towards the Illini. Brennan Armstrong went 20/37 for 284 passing yards and moved previous Matt Schaub as UVA’s all-time chief in profession passing yards. Keytaon Thompson was nice with 9 receptions for 118 yards and Dontayvion Wicks lastly confirmed flashes of his former self with 4 catches for 85 yards. Lavel Davis Jr. got here up with an enormous 30-yard reception on the ultimate drive of the sport. UVA additionally recorded 229 dashing yards with true freshman Xavier Brown main the pack with 88 yards on 9 carries. 

The rationale these 513 yards of complete offense did not end in extra factors is as a result of UVA turned the ball over 3 times, together with twice contained in the ODU pink zone. Virginia scored just one landing, a one-yard punch-in from Mike Hollins within the first quarter. 

However, the Virginia protection did very effectively to guard the lead till the ultimate minutes. When UVA’s defensive unit lastly faltered, the offense put its finest foot ahead and delivered the game-winning drive, capped off by the Farrell subject objective. 

There’s actually quite a bit to enhance for Tony Elliott’s Cavaliers, nevertheless it’s at all times higher to study from a win than a loss. 

Up subsequent, Virginia heads again on the highway to open up ACC play at Syracuse on Friday at 7pm.

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