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UVA Football

UVA Football: ‘Hoos faces FSU in ACC Saturday prime time showcase

Chris Graham

uva footballYour place for pregame coverage and live in-game updates as #25 UVA faces Florida State Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium.

In-Game Blog

Promising opening UVA drive ends with Bryce Perkins intercepted at the FSU 13. As we saw last week, Perkins, when pressured, escaped the pocket, then threw late against his body. I said last week that this should be a concern. Several readers took issue with me.

Virginia had third-and-13 from the 40. I’m thinking, get the ball to the 35 or closer, you go for it. Call: draw. Gain to the 32. Field-goal unit sent out. Brian Delaney good from 49. It’s nice, again, having a kicker.

Anatomy of that FSU score: bad decision by Billy Kemp on the punt return led to bad field position. Nash Griffin shanks the punt after a three-and-out. Joey Blount can’t leave well enough alone after the D tackles Cam Akers for an eight-yard loss and piles on. Late hit sets up the even shorter field.

Wayne Taulapapa gets the TD, but that series for UVA: great block by Lamont Atkins to free up Bryce Perkins for a big play, nice design and execution on a wheel route to get into plus territory.

Florida State picks up the first down on the first set of downs on that drive, then goes tempo, and like in the second quarter of the Pitt game, Virginia can’t keep up.

Virginia gets the ball into plus territory with nine seconds left. For some reason, Perkins threw a deep sideline into coverage and was INT’d.

A false start set Virginia back on the opening drive on the set of downs that ended with the INT. On the second drive of the second half, after picking up a first down, the ‘Hoos have an illegal-formation penalty, then burn a timeout. Basic stuff not being done with precision.

Short field with the penalties on the previous UVA drive allows FSU to put a 53-yard field goal on the board with a modest 23-yard drive.

Florida State came into this game with its back against the wall. Credit to Willie Taggart and his staff for preparing their guys.

Robert Anae saw something. Short passing game gets UVA down the field. Bryce Perkins was 9-for-9 passing for 52 yards on the TD drive.

FSU picks up a third-and-10 from its own 25, scores five plays later. Too easy. ‘Noles are 3-of-6 on third-and-medium and third-and-long.

Bryce Perkins was 5-of-7 for 48 yards on that drive. As I was typing that sentence, Brian Delaney missed the extra point. Wow.

Six plays, 72 yards. Leaving 2:34 on the clock for FSU. Bryce Perkins with the highlight-reel two-point conversion. Wow. Just wow.

Four 15-yard penalties extend the FSU drive. Which ends on a running back tackled inside the 5 as time expires.

Matchup

Florida State (1-1, 0-0 ACC) at No. 25 UVA (2-0, 1-0 ACC), 7:30 p.m.
Series: Florida State leads, 15-3; Last meeting: FSU, 34-20 (2014)
Line: UVA -7.5

Game Day Timeline

3:30 p.m. – Band Rehearsal (Carr’s Hill Field)
3:30 p.m. – Paid public parking lots open ($15)
5:30 p.m. – Fan Fest at Aquatics Fitness Center (live music on AFC patio at 5:45 p.m.)
6 p.m. – Scott Stadium gates open
6:30 p.m. – Pregame radio show (97.5 FM & 1070 AM)
7:17 p.m. – Pregame show (band, anthem, team entrance)
7:30 p.m. – Kickoff vs. Florida State

Broadcast Info

ACC Network
Dave O’Brien play-by-play
Tim Hasselbeck, analyst
Katie George, sideline

Virginia Sports Radio Network
Dave Koehn, play-by-play
Tony Covington, analyst
Jay James, sideline

Satellite Radio
Sirius 135 • XM 193 • Internet 955

AFP Pregame Coverage

Multimedia

 




Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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