Virginia Scores in all Phases of Game to Defeat William & Mary 52-17

Postgame Notes | Postgame Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Highlights | Box Score | Boxscore

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia football team (2-0) scored in all three phases of the game to win its home-opener 52-17 over William & Mary (1-1) on Friday night at Scott Stadium.
 
It was the most points the Cavaliers have scored since beating Temple in 2005, 51-3. UVA scored 21 points in the first quarter and had 28 unanswered points before William & Mary converted a field goal in the second quarter.
 
UVA scored in all three phases of the game (offense, defense, special teams) for the first time since Sept. 21, 2002 against Akron. Four different players scored touchdowns and 10 players had receptions in the win.
 
Virginia finished with 511 total yards, averaging 11.8 yards per completion and 6.2 yards per rush. The defense held William & Mary to 193 total yards with five sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia scored first with a 40-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Perkins (Queen Creek, Ariz.) to wide receiver Joe Reed (Charlotte Court House, Va.). On the ensuing drive, cornerback Nick Grant (Spotsylvania, Va.) picked off the Tribe and ran it back 85 yards for a touchdown. Perkins ran it in from 7-yards out, then connected with wide receiver Terrell Chatman (Baton Rouge, La.) on a 15-yard pass to give UVA a 28-0 lead. After a William & Mary field goal, Reed ran back the kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown as UVA led 35-3 at the half.
 
Running back Mike Hollins (Baton Rouge, La.) scored his first career touchdown on his first career carry to open the second half. Hollins scored a second touchdown and kicker Brian Delaney (Chantilly, Va.) had a field goal.
 
STAT LEADERS
QB Bryce Perkins
Passing: 192 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: 68 yards, 1 TD
 
RB Mike Hollins
11 carries, 78 yards, 2 TDs
 
WR Joe Reed
4 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD
 
LB Zane Zandier
9 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
 
NOTES
• UVA scored 21 points in the first quarter for the first time since the 2018 Ohio game in Nashville.
• UVA’s 35 points in the first half are tied for No. 9 all-time for the first half in UVA history.
• Virginia has scored on each of its opening drives in the first and second halves in both games this season. At Pitt UVA scored field goals in its opening possessions of each half. Against William & Mary, UVA tallied touchdowns.
• UVA’s defense has not allowed an offensive touchdown in 10 of the last 12 quarters played.
• UVA did not punt in a game for the first time since 1989 against Duke.
• With 192 passing yards, Perkins now has 3,053 career passing yards. He is the fastest Cavalier to 3,000 career passing yards and 1,000 career rushing yards (15 games), breaking Shawn Moore’s previous record of 31 games.
• CB Nick Grant collected his first career interception in the first quarter. He returned it 85 yards for a touchdown. It was the third-longest return in UVA program history.
• WR Joe Reed had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter, tying the program record for longest kick return for a touchdown. He is the fourth Cavalier to return a kick 100 yards for a touchdown and first since Marquis Week in 2004 against North Carolina.
• Reed extends his UVA career record for kick returns for a touchdown to four.
 
UP NEXT
Virginia remains at home to host Florida State on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium.