Virginia Struggles in Red Zone in 14-12 Loss to Miami

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The game came down to extra overtime attempts with Virginia and Miami both going for two-point conversions. Both failed on the first, and Virginia failed on the second before Miami was able to convert its second attempt in the 14-12 win.

UVA had two first-and-goal opportunities in the game but was unable to find the end zone. WR Lavel Davis Jr. beat two defenders and was wide open down the field as QB Brennan Armstrong connected with him for a 47-yard reception to Miami’s three. Armstrong threw a screen pass to RB Mike Hollins who broke free for a 64-yard reception but was forced out at the Miami one.

 

PK Will Bettridge converted all four of his field goal attempts, scoring two in regulation and two in overtime. Virginia was leading 6-3 with 5:29 remaining in the game as Miami drove 53 yards on 13 plays and took the entire 5:29 to tie the game with a field goal and send it to overtime.

Armstrong finished the game 15-for-25 with 208 yards passing and 67 yards rushing. Defensively, LB Nick Jackson and DB Coen King paced the Cavaliers. Jackson had 14 tackles and King finished with 13. DB Anthony Johnson had an interception on Miami’s first two-point conversion attempt.

Team Notes

• Virginia dropped to 8-12 all-time against the Hurricanes.
• The four-overtime contest was the longest in UVA history and the fourth FBS game this season to go to four or more overtimes.
• The Cavaliers are 4-8 all-time in overtime games and have dropped the last three overtime decisions. The last time UVA went to overtime was against Virginia Tech in 2018.
• The last time UVA lost and the opponent did not score a touchdown was a 3-0 loss to Rutgers in 1981.
• The game was the lowest scoring overtime game in FBS college football since Cal and TCU (10-7 1OT) in 2018.
• UVA has not allowed an offensive touchdown in eight-straight quarters. Its last touchdown was surrendered in the fourth quarter against Louisville (Oct. 8).
• Announced attendance for the contest was 43,714, the largest crowd at Scott Stadium this season.
• The Cavaliers were held scoreless in the first half for the second time this season (Syracuse).

Player Notes

• Chico Bennett recorded his seventh sack of the season (ACC leader coming into the contest). The seven sacks are the most in a season by a Cavalier since Jordan Mack (7.5) and Noah Taylor (7.0) in 2019. Bennett finished with three tackles, a forced fumble, a sack and three quarterback hurries.
• Freshman Will Bettridge was successful on all four of his field goal attempts (27, 24, 41, 41). He’s the first UVA kicker with four field goals in a game since Ian Frye against Miami in 2015.
• Brennan Armstrong completed a swing pass to Mike Hollins in the third quarter that went for 64 yards, the longest pass of the season for UVA and the longest reception of Hollins’ career.
• Hollins had a career-high five catches against Miami last season and added 42 yards on the ground.
• Keytaon Thompson finished with five catches for 41 yards, leading the Cavaliers in catches for seventh game. He moved into a tie for eighth place with Alvin Pearman (2001-04) on UVA’s all-time receptions list with 138. It marked Thompson’s 22-straight game with a reception.
• Senior Nick Jackson made 14 tackles, his second 14-tackle performance of the season. It was his 19^th career double-digit tackle effort of his career.
• Coen King established a career high with 13 tackles, including nine solo stops. He also added one pass breakup.
• Freshman Stevie Bracey made a career-high 5 tackles.
• Freshman Sean Wilson made his first career start.
• Brennan Armstrong passed for 208 yards and rushed for an additional 67. The 200-yard passing effort was his 23^rd of his career. He is 101 total yards away from 10,000 for his career.