Virginia delivered one of the most shocking upsets of the season on Saturday with a 31-27 win over No. 10 North Carolina, in Chapel Hill.
In at least one respect, the win was unprecedented. It is the Cavaliers’ first road win over a top 10 opponent in program history. It is also their first win over a top 10 team since beating Florida State in 2005.
For perspective, Virginia’s only win this season had been against William & Mary of the FCS. Their last win over an FBS opponent was against Georgia Tech 366 days ago. UNC, boasting Heisman hopeful Drake Maye, entered the game undefeated and a 24-point favorite.
Virginia had to dig itself out of a 24-14 hole midway through the third quarter, but proceeded to score 17 points on their next three drives to put the Tar Heels on their back foot. Their final points came one a 14-yard touchdown in which Malik Washington refused to go down.
UNC clearly had the firepower to come back, but a three-and-out on their next drive gave Virginia the ball with a chance to finish off the game. They were on the verge of doing so, and then they fell victim to what is regarded as one of the worst rules in sports.
Virginia running back Mike Hollins got the ball to the end zone, but lost control a yard short and watched his teammates fail to recover what could have been a game-sealing touchdown. Instead, the play turned into a fumble out of the end zone, an automatic touchback for UNC.
UNC seemed on track to take the lead on the next drive, but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete for a turnover on downs at Virginia’s 20-yard line. They got the ball back with 1:12 left, but a Maye interception ended the game.
The umpire camera provided a uniquely good look at the play.
Virginia quarterback Tony Muskett finished the game 20-of-38 for 208 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while Maye was 24-of-48 for 347 yards, two touchdowns and that final pick. The real star of the night was the Virginia run game, as Hollins, Muskett and Perris Jones combined for 199 rushing yards on 41 carries.
Few programs have seen as dark a stretch as Virginia in recent years, as the aftermath of the shooting that killed Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. and wounded Hollins can still be seen on the Cavaliers’ uniforms. Saturday was the brightest moment the program has seen since that tragedy, and a potential step forward under second-year head coach Tony Elliott.
