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Game Recap
The Virginia Cavaliers were successful in their previous meeting against the North Carolina Tar Heels, and they didn't afford UNC any payback this time around. The Cavaliers sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 44-41 victory on Saturday. That was the first win for Virginia since their win over the Duke Blue Devils five weeks ago.
Virginia's offense came in ready to rumble, picking up 27 points in the first half. UNC countered with 20 points. Virginia almost let the game get away from them in the second half, but they had just enough oomph to take it.
The Cavaliers' QB Brennan Armstrong did his thing and passed for three TDs and 207 yards on 23 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 66 yards. Near the top of the highlight reel was Armstrong's 71-yard TD bomb to RB Shane Simpson in the first quarter.
Virginia's defense was a presence as well, as it got past the Tar Heels' offensive line to sack QB Sam Howell five times for a loss of 23 yards. Leading the way was LB Charles Snowden and his 3.5 sacks. Snowden now has 4.5 sacks this year.
WR Dyami Brown put forth a good effort for the losing side as he caught 11 passes for three TDs and 240 yards. One of the most thrilling moments was Brown's 54-yard TD reception in the first quarter. The contest brought the Cavaliers to 2-4 and dropped the Tar Heels to a mirror-image 4-2.
Virginia has the luxury of staying at home another week and will welcome the Louisville Cardinals at 8 p.m. ET Nov. 7 at David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium. Unlike Virginia, U of L will be stumbling in off of a defeat. UNC is staying on the road next Saturday to face off against Duke at noon ET Nov. 7 at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Duke also lit up the scoreboard in their last matchup, so this could be a high-scoring matchup.
