The UVA defense forced six turnovers, including a sack that was recovered for a game-clinching touchdown by Eli Hanback, in a 34-20 win at Duke on Saturday.
The win snaps a 17-game road losing streak for Virginia (2-3, 1-0 ACC).
The Cavs defense intercepted Duke freshman quarterback Daniel Jones five times. UVA quarterback Kurt Benkert, coming off a school-record performance in a 49-35 win over Central Michigan last week, was solid again, completing 23 of his 41 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
Duke (2-3, 0-2 ACC) got on the board first on a 23-yard TD pass from Jones to T.J. Rahming five and half minutes into the game. UVA finally hit paydirt with 38 seconds left in the first quarter on a 23-yard scoring pass from Benkert to David Eldridge.
The Blue Devils took a 10-6 lead with 11:23 to go in the second quarter on a 38-yard A.J. Reed field goal, but Virginia took a 20-10 lead into the break, getting a 1-yard TD run from Albert Reid at the 4:01 mark, and a Benkert-to-Olamide Zaccheaus 12-yard TD pass with 12 seconds left.
It was 27-13 at the end of three, after a Reed 21-yard field goal with 5:40 to go, and a Benkert-to-Richard Burney 3-yard TD pass.
Duke made it a game on its next possession, capping a quick 70-yard drive with a Joseph Ajeigbe 3-yard scoring run that cut the Virginia lead to 27-20.
A 44-yard Nicholas Conte punt pinned Duke at its own 1 inside of five minutes to go, and Eli Mack sacked Jones on a second-and-10 play, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Hanback for the game-clinching score.
Taquan Mizzell had 60 yards on 14 rushing attempts. Reid ran for 44 yards on 13 carries.
David Eldridge had 112 yards on two catches, including an 84-yard catch-and-carry in advance of the Reid second-quarter touchdown.
Micah Kiser had 18 tackles to lead the defense. Kelvin Rainey had 14 tackles.
Juan Thomas and Bryce Hall each had two interceptions for the ‘Hoos. Safety Quin Blanding had an interception and seven tackles.
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