Virginia Wins 31-17 Over Louisville

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia (3-4, 3-4 ACC) forced three turnovers and scored a touchdown in every quarter in the 31-17 win over Louisville (2-6, 1-6 ACC) on Saturday afternoon at Scott Stadium.

Virginia returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered two fumbles in the win. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong (Shelby, Ohio) threw for 203 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for two touchdowns.

The Cavaliers totaled 368 yards (203 passing, 165 rushing) to 478 for Louisville (161 passing, 317 rushing). UVA was 4-for-4 in the red zone and led in time of possession (30:32-29:28).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia scored on Louisville’s opening drive when linebacker Noah Taylor (Silver Spring, Md.) picked the Cardinals off and ran it 85 yards for the touchdown. Louisville scored 10 unanswered points to take its only lead of the game at the 10:14 mark in the second quarter. Virginia regained the lead with an Armstrong keeper for the eight-yard touchdown.

The Cavaliers added to their lead in the third when Armstrong connected with wide receiver Lavel Davis Jr. (Dorchester, S.C.) for a nine-yard touchdown to make it 21-10. Louisville scored a touchdown to pull within four, but Virginia drove the field and converted a field goal by kicker Brian Delaney (Chantilly, Va.). Cornerback Nick Grant (Spotsylvania, Va.) striped the ball and recovered it to give the Cavaliers the ball back. UVA drove the field 65 yards for a touchdown on a keeper by Armstrong to go ahead 31-17.

STAT LEADERS

QB Brennan Armstrong

• Rushing: 60 yards, 2 TDs
• Passing: 203 yards, 1 TD

WR Lavel Davis Jr.

• 74 yards, 1 TD

LB Nick Jackson

• 10 tackles, 1 sack

LB Noah Taylor

• 1 interception return for TD

NOTES

• UVA’s pick-6 in the first quarter was the first defensive points this season for the Cavaliers.
• OLB Noah Taylor notched his third career interception (1st of the season) in the first quarter. He returned it for 85 yards and a touchdown. It is the longest INT return in the ACC this season and tied for third longest in FBS this year.
• QB Brennan Armstrong passed for one touchdown and rushed for two touchdowns. It is the third time this season he has passed and rushed for at least one touchdown each in a game.
• With seven points, PK Brian Delaney passed Frank Quayle (210) and Tiki Barber (210) on the UVA career scoring list. Delaney is now No. 8 with 215 career points.
• CB Nick Grant forced and recovered his first career fumble on the same play in the fourth quarter.
• WR Demick Starling notched his first career reception for six yards in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

Virginia remains at home to host Abilene Christian in its lone non-conference game of the season on Saturday, November 21 at 4 p.m. at Scott Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Regional Sports Network.