I want to thank UVA Football coach Tony Elliott and his staff for not extending a fourth consecutive game to overtime.
Also, I’m grateful that the Cavalier offense seems to be back to its early-season form.
With that, let’s take a look at the operational breakdowns.
Operations Breakdowns
Offense Game Recap & Game Grade: 86.44 (B)
While the finishing touch of scoring touchdowns was not championship level, between the end zones the offense appeared to be back on track.
It felt like the last couple of weeks that J’Mari Taylor’s early-season burst and sharp cuts were not as crisp. Against the Bears, that burst, and crispness, seemed to have returned to a much higher level than recent games. Actually, the offense as a whole seemed had lost some moxie.
Virginia’s touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone (inside the 20 yard-line) continues to be inconsistent. That said, part of the issue Saturday was the missed opportunity to score three points with the fake field goal, and as always seems to be the case, some bizarre play calling that steam rolls at a couple drives.
Good news is, as it relates to PPPi40 (Points Per Possession Inside the Plus-40), the Hoos recorded a 4.42 number, giving them just over a 50 percent chance to win.
Following three weeks of subpar third-down conversion performances, the Cavaliers returned above the 50 percent mark, converting 10-of-19 attempts for 52.6 percent rating. The ‘Hoos have posted 50 percent-plus third-down conversion rates against six of their nine opponents, The last time that happened was in 2019 and 2018. The biggest difference between this year and those two seasons, it took Virginia 13 games to get to number six.
But after the last three weeks of average grades of 72.84, the offense put up a solid 86.45. Led by the play of Terry Heffernan’s offensive front with a 91.09. Thanks to the stellar protection of Heffernan’s crew, Chandler Morris recorded an 87.3, just ahead of the wide receivers and tight ends with an 87.29. The backs also exceeded the B-line with an 80.11
Defense Game Recap & Game Grade: 94.01 (A)
Virginia’s defensive line has played exceptionally over the last three weeks. Their average grade over that period is a 94.2. They, along with the Cavalier linebackers, limited the Bear run game to eight net yards, a number not surpassed since Washington held Cal to -40 yards in 2017. Adding the secondary, John Rudzinski’s defense hemmed in the Cal passing game confining the home squad to their third lowest yards per completion average (4.61) of the season.
Virginia’s pass defense was strong posting a 94.56 grade while the run defense recorded a 98.7. Overall, the third-down defense scored a 98.1 while floating a 93.44 on first down defense. The Cavalier defensive front led the units with a 95.77, followed by the linebackers with the secondary coming in with a 92.19.
I would be remise if not acknowledging Kam Robinson’s picksix, staking UVA to clear victory and placing the Hoos at sixth nationally in defensive TDs.
Special Teams Recap & Game Grade: 83.87 (B)
The punt return operations came in first among the special teams with a 90.52. Their kickoff return brothers came in second with an 87.3 The punt coverage operation put up a solid 82.4 followed by the place-kicking op with an 82.37. Closing out the special teams were the kickoff unit with a 76.8.
California Grades & Notes
Offense – Grades: 86.44 (B)
- Quarterback: 87.3 (B)
- Running backs: 80.11 (B-)
- Wide receivers & tight ends: 87.29 (B)
- Offensive line: 91.09 (A-)
Offense – Quick Takes & Notes
Highlights: The biggest highlight from my perspective was the offense returning to its early-season proficiency and balance.
Not so bright: Going back to the FSU game, Virginia’s offense has been a little feast or famine. In the first four games of the season, the Cavaliers posted just three, three-and-outs. Over the last five outings the offense has produced the other 18 three-and-outs in UVA’s 108 drives. Eighteen three-and-outs in 63 drives is 29 percent of Des Kitchings’ offense, while their opponents are 13 of 65 for just 20 percent. In the last three games, 30 percent of UVAs drives were three-and-out.
- Florida State: 2-of-13
- Louisville: 2-of-11
- Washington State: 5-of-12
- North Carolina: 5-of-15
- Cal: 4 of 12
Notes & Stats
- The ‘Hoos got back on track offensively with 262 yards through the air and 194 on the ground. Their 456 total yards were the fourth highest in a game this year.
- Running back J’Mari Taylor rushed 21 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. It marked his second, 100-yard rushing performance of the season and sixth of his career.
- Taylor is also ranked fifth nationally with 11 rushing touchdowns.
- After earning just 43 first downs in the previous three games, UVA recorded 23 against the Bears. That’s 53.5 percent of their previous three outings.
- Cavalier football is ranked 18th in the nation in scoring offense; 18th in first-down offense; 16th in offensive third-down conversion rate with a 50 percent figure.
- Virginia’s offensive line may have played their best game of the season. Yes, they allowed two sacks, but with exception of two additional QB hurries, UVA’s triggerman was very secure.
Defense – Grades: 94.01 (A)
- Defensive line: 95.77 (A)
- Linebackers: 94.07 (A)
- Secondary: 92.2 (A-)
Defense – Quick Takes & Notes
Highlights: UVA dropped the Bears for 83 lost yards.
Not so bright: The double-pass play midway through the third quarter really had to be anticipated. I went back through the game, and that formation was never set prior to that play.
Notes & Stats
- Cal boasts one of the most prolific receivers in college football. Jacob De Jesus entered Saturday evening’s game with 55 receptions (6.88/game) and 492 receiving yards. The ‘Hoos limited De Jesus with two receptions, 49 yards and no TDs.
- The Cavaliers have held five opponents under 100 yards rushing. The last Wahoo defense to keep six teams below 100 yards rushing was Nick Howell’s 2019 crew.
- Virginia held Bears QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to zero TDs, tying for the fewest in a game this season. The ‘Hoos two INTs ties for second most by Sagapolutele in a 2025 contest.
- Corey Costner’s interception at the end of the third quarter was the first turnover by the Bears since they had four against Duke on Oct. 4.
- The 21 points UVA’s defense allowed tied for second fewest of the season for Cal. The Cavaliers have held six of their nine opponents under 21 points this season. The last time that happened was in 2018.
- The ‘Hoos continued their zero lost fumbles and the Cavalier third-down defense has held all nine opponents under a 42.86 percent third down conversion rate, and six under 33.3 percent.
- In addition to being named a Butkus Award semifinalist, Kam Robinson has been named the ACC Linebacker of the Week for a third time this season.
Special Teams – Grades: 83.87 (B)
- Kickoff return: 87.3 (B)
- Kickoff coverage: 76.8 (C)
- Place kicking: 82.37 (B-)
- Punt return: 90.52 (A-)
- Punt coverage: 82.4 (A-)
Special Teams – Quick Takes & Notes
Highlights: Virginia’s punt return defense held Cal to the lowest punt return average (6.67) of the season while posting not only a championship level grade but the highest mark of the five special team units.
Not so bright: The fake field goal was not bright, was ineffective and not necessary.
Notes & Stats
- After posting championship-level grades for previous four contest, kicker Will Bettridge posted his first missed field goal (48 yards) and his first B- in five game weeks.
- Daniel Sparks continues to put up gaudy punt numbers. Over the last four games, he’s averaged 48.3 yards per punt, no blocked kicks, just one touchback, four fair catches, 13 boots over 50 yards and nine punts dropped inside the 20.
- UVA’s special teams have improved over the 2025-2026 campaign. In the first four games of the season the Wahoo special teams averaged an 84.4. The last four games they’ve averaged an 87.94.
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