Last week was a bittersweet week for me. Virginia took down Cal and showed some life after two lifeless events prior against Washington State and North Carolina. That followed later that evening with my lifelong favorite baseball team winning their third World Series in the last six seasons. Before you call me a homer, starting in 1988, I suffered through 27 years of zero World Series wins and zero World Series appearances. Kind of like the Hokies; dominance over the ‘Hoos.
ICYMI
- Wake Forest 16, ‘Hoos 9: The road to an ACC title-game spot hits a detour for UVA Football
- UVA Football: What’s the latest on Chandler Morris? Update on his status for Saturday
I won’t claim the Virginia loss to Wake was more brutal than that 27-year stretch, but there is a lot about Saturday night that creates a serious amount of questions and concerns about the state of college football.
From broadcasting to officiating, gambling, unrestricted player mobility and coaches like Curt Cignetti.
I was disappointed Saturday night because of the Cavaliers loss, because a good young man was injured by the negligence of two other players, a lack of control by the people on the field charged with maintaining control.
I’m not sure I like the path college football is taking.
That’s enough pontification from me; I guess we should at the game grades.
Operations Breakdowns
Offense Game Recap & Game Grade: 79.20 (C+)
I’ve read a herculean number of sports articles over the last few days that began something like, “the UVA offense was simply not running on all four cylinders.” Or “the Virginia offense was clearly out of sync.” You think? Utter brilliance. Where do sports journalists come from in 2025? Some of the most asinine, obvious observations you can imagine.
Look, only the most oblivious (using a lot of OB words here) sports fan on the planet could miss the fact that the Cavaliers starting quarterback was injured by two late hits from Wake defensive backs Davaughn Patterson and Travon West.
ICYMI
Up to that point in the game, Chandler Morris was floundering as the offense produced three points, 27 yards of total offense, was 0-of-3 on third down and 0-of-1 on fourth, and was averaging 2.3 yards per play. But Daniel Kaelin acquitted himself above average, going 18-of-28 for 145 yards and a 64 percent completion rate. Kaelin carried the ‘Hoos inside the Wake 5 to complete the drive Morris began, but failed to get into the end zone, some they would not accomplish all evening.
Overall, UVA’s running backs kept the Cavaliers in the game, and both the backs and receiving group had chances to win the contest. The backs led the offense with an 85.67 mark while the end and wideouts posted an 81.65. The road graders up front had a bit of up-and-down evening and ended up with a 78.25 while the quarterback tandem end the game with a 71.22.
Defense Game Recap & Game Grade: 95.48 (A)
The Wahoo defense’s play was exceptional. John Rudzinski’s group recorded its highest grade of the season against the woeful Wake offense; a 95.48. The operation was led by the secondary with a 97.59, followed by the defensive line at 95.54 and coming in with a solid number were the linebackers with a 93.31.
The stats paint a bleak picture of the Demon Deacon offense performance Saturday evening. So, the pass rush, while not getting any sacks, did have four QBHs, and the defense collectively produced nine PBUs and 10 run stuffs (runs stopped for no gain or less). The Wahoo defense also held the visitors to 0-of-6 on power rushes (2 yards or less that covert a TD or first down).
The linebackers and secondary had a stellar night, grading out with 98.3 passing grade average. Not a single Deacon had more than 22 yards receiving, and the next highest was 12 total yards. The running game was a little better with a 139 yards and 3.39 yards per carry.
The Cavaliers defense has been notable in its last three games:
- Total Offense Allowed: 819 Total Yards Allowed | 273 YPG
- Total Rushing Allowed: 292 Total Rushing Allowed | 97.3 YPG
- Total Passing Allowed: 527 Total Yards Allowed | 175.7 YPG
This loss cannot be laid at the feet of the UVA defense. Even more so considering that two of Wake’s FG scores came from drives that started in Cavalier territory.
Special Teams Recap & Game Grade: 77.9 (C)
For the first time since the Florida State game, the UVA special team’s operation fell below a 78 grade. The only championship-level units was the kicking operations, posting a 96.71. Behind them was the punt return crew with an 85.81. Kickoff return and kickoff coverage place third and fourth with 73.13 and a 79.68 for the coverage unit.
Needless to say, the punt coverage unit not only ending the night with their worst mark of the season, but they also earned the dubious distinction of have posted the worst grade of the entire season among all three operations. Going back and looking at that return, it appeared the ball hitting the ground caused one of the outside defenders to drop contain and pulled the coverage team out of their lanes, which caused a costly missed tackle.
Wake Forest Grades & Notes
Offense – Grades: 79.2 (C+)
- Quarterback: 71.22 (C-)
- Running backs: 85.67 (B)
- Wide receivers & tight ends: 81.65 (B-)
- Offensive line: 78.25 (C+)
Offense – Quick Takes & Notes
Highlights: The defense.
Not so bright: Losing Chandler Morris.
Notes & Stats
- For the first time in 10 games, the Cavalier offense failed to score a touchdown.
- After 11 consecutive games, dating back to last season, the ‘Hoos lost a fumble. At least they did it with a bang losing three total.
- Virginia’s 5.43 yards per carry was the third highest average of the year.
- The 21.43 percent was the team’s lowest third-down conversion percentage of the seson.
- The nine points the Hoos scored was the first time a Virginia offense has scored less than 10 points in a game since the SMU game last year; a span of 10 games.
Defense – Grades: 95.48 (A)
- Defensive line: 95.54 (A)
- Linebackers: 93.31 (A)
- Secondary: 97.59 (A+)
Defense – Quick Takes & Notes
Highlights: The defensive line, the linebackers and the secondary.
Not so bright: I thought their play was pretty close to flawless.
Notes & Stats
- With their 3.17 yards per play of total offense, Virginia held Wake to the lowest total offense mark since 2016 against Louisiville (2.93 YPP)
- The Deacs 29.41 percent conversion percentage was the second worst of the season for Wake Forest.
- Virginia’s defense held a sixth team under 20 points in a season since 2018.
- The visitors’ 12 first downs were the second fewest allowed by the Cavalier defense.
- The 39.1 percent completion percentage the UVA defense held the Wake offense to is the lowest for the Deacs since Oct. 28, 2023, against Florida State.
Special Teams – Grades: 77.99 (C)
- Kickoff return: 73.13 (C)
- Kickoff coverage: 79.68 (C+)
- Place kicking: 96.71 (A)
- Punt return: 85.81 (B)
- Punt coverage: 54.66 (F)
Special Teams – Quick Takes & Notes
Highlights: Will Bettridge connecting on all three of his field goal attempts.
Not so bright: Virginia’s second punt of the game.
Notes & Stats
- With its second blocked punt of the 2025-26 season, the Hoos have blocked two punts for the first time since the 2013 season.
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