Linebacker Kam Robinson made his second game-winning play in three games for the Virginia Cavaliers (8-1, 5-0) on Saturday afternoon.
After Virginia’s offense failed to convert a potential game-sealing 4th-and-2 deep in Cal territory, the Golden Bears got the ball back at their own 14-yard line down 24-21 with :45 remaining. While they had no remaining timeouts, the big play potential of quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele still posed a threat.
Robinson shut the door on any shenanigans on first down,
dropping into coverage and picking off a Sagapolutele heave to the middle of the field. While he could’ve gone down and set up the Wahoo offense for a victory formation, he took the rock to the house, notching his second pick six of the season as he returned the ball 35 yards to the house.
That put the ‘Hoos up 31-21 (and, conveniently for some, put them ahead by more than 5.5 points) with :29 left on the clock.
Robinson has absolutely flourished in his junior year in Charlottesville. He finished Saturday’s win with an interception, six tackles, a tackle for loss and half a sack. His pick six was hardly his first big play in 2025.
Just two weeks ago he made a game-winning tackle for loss by forcing a Washington State safety to give the Cavaliers a 22-20 come-from-behind victory in Charlottesville.
A game before that, he intercepted a pass by Louisville quarterback Miller Moss and returned it for six, scoring points that were crucial for the ‘Hoos to send that game to overtime and, eventually to win it.
On the season, Robinson has 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in six games played. He’s been the star of the Wahoo defense since returning from injury. As UVA becomes a player on the national stage down the stretch of the season, Robinson keeps stepping up in the biggest moments.
