The Cardiac Cavaliers couldn’t pull out another heart-stopper, falling for the second time this season and the first in over two months on Saturday night. Virginia lost, 16-9, to the Wake Forest Demon
Deacons, dropping to 8-2 on the season and 5-1 in the ACC. The result fundamentally changes the outlook for the remainder of UVA’s season.
After starting quarterback Chandler Morris left the game due to injury in the second quarter, UVA’s offense couldn’t get much of anything going. To be fair, the Wahoo attack didn’t do much with Morris in the game, either. A Kam Robinson blocked punt produced the first three points of the game after the Cavaliers went three-and-out after Robinson gave them the ball at the Demon Deacon 24-yard line.
UVA tacked on another field goal when Kaelin pulled the ball on a keeper and dashed 54 yards to the Wake Forest eight-yard line. Again, though, Virginia couldn’t capitalize on a big play and settled for adding three points to their lead.
The ‘Hoos seemed to have relative control of the game, albeit despite some head-scratching play calling and a backup quarterback who didn’t look comfortable throwing the ball. Then Wake returned a punt for 88 yards to the house to take a 7-6 lead. UVA’s issues compounded with Kaelin fumbling the ball on a drop back in the two minute drill a possession later. That gifted the Demon Deacons a field goal before the half.
Virginia’s most successful drive – beyond the one carried by the long Kaelin run – came out of the half when they marched 58 yards in nine plays. Yet the Cavaliers couldn’t overcome a second down false start from J’Mari Taylor, so they sent Will Bettridge out for his third attempt of the night. He split the uprights to bring the ‘Hoos within one, 10-9.
UVA and Wake Forest battled for field position for the remainder of the game, split up by two bombing field goals from Connor Calvert who booted kicks from 50 yards and then 49 to put the Demon Deacons up by seven points. Despite a late stop and a two-minute drive down to the Wake Forest five-yard line, Virginia lost the game on a turnover on downs when Kaelin lofted a ball to Jahmal Edrine in the corner of the endzone and it was broken up.
The loss highlights the reality that UVA couldn’t continue to walk the tight rope in close games against inferior competition and not expect to take a fall. Morris’ injury was unquestionably the most impactful factor in the final result, at least from the Virginia side of the field.
But this is what happens when you continue to play with fire. The offense hasn’t been good enough for weeks, and that trend continued against Wake. The ‘Hoos had two great opportunities to score touchdowns early – including once with Morris on the field – and they couldn’t convert.
The loss means a couple things:
- Virginia no longer controls its destiny to make the ACC Championship game. The Cavaliers are now tied atop the conference at 5-1 with Georgia Tech, Pitt, and SMU with Duke half a game behind at 4-1. There could be some absurd tie-breaking scenarios that determine who plays in Charlotte on December 6.
- To state the obvious, this puts the final nail in the coffin of any hope UVA could earn an at-large bid to the College Football Playoff. The path is via the ACC Championship and the auto bid it comes with.
Morris’ injury and his timeline now becomes the most relevant storyline down the stretch. UVA still has a bye week after playing Duke next Saturday and before playing Virginia Tech, so that could provide a cushion if he can possibly return this season.
Frankly, from where this writer sits, simply finding a way to beat the Hokies for the second time in 22 years would be a win at this point. Maybe that’s too pessimistic of an outlook. Perhaps Tony Elliott can rally the troops and make a push towards bigger objectives, ones that seemed very attainable entering Saturday evening. Still, taking a step back, a 9-3 season (should UVA lose to Duke) with a win over Virginia Tech would represent a resoundingly successful fourth year of the Elliott era, even if it feels like a lost opportunity.
We’ll see how it unfolds. As always, we’ll have you covered from the Rotunda to Homer and back.
