Virginia Concludes Two-Game Homestand; Hosts Louisville Saturday

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Off to its best start since 2019, Virginia (4-1, 2-0) looks to start 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since 2007 on Saturday (Oct. 12), when it hosts Louisville (3-2, 1-1). Kickoff from Scott Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network and the Virginia Sports Radio Network.

Saturday’s contest will also serve as the Cavaliers’ annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. In conjunction with UVA players and coaches, fans are encouraged to wear pink to Scott Stadium. 

GAME DETAILS
Date: Saturday, Oct. 12
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Scott Stadium (61,500)
Television: ACC Network • Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network, Virginia Sports Mobile App, TuneIn App, SiriusXM Channel 385 (975 on SiriusXM app) 

INSIDE SATURDAY’S MATCHUP 

• Virginia is 4-1 for the first time since 2019 and the sixth time since 1999: 2024 (4-1), 2019 (4-1), 2017 (4-1), 2004 (5-0) and 2003 (4-1). 

• UVA is 2-0 to start ACC play for the first time since 2019. Six of its final seven games of the season are against ACC opponents. 

• The Cavaliers are looking to improve to 3-0 in the ACC for the first time since 2007 and win five of their first six games for the first time since 2017. 

• Virginia is one of five ACC teams that are undefeated in league play. Three of the unbeaten teams – Clemson (3-0), SMU (2-0) and Pitt (1-0) – are on UVA’s remaining schedule. 

• For the first time this season and since Oct. 24, 2021, Virginia is receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches poll. 

• Virginia is one of 48 FBS teams with fewer than two losses this season and one of seven in the ACC: Miami (6-0), Pitt (5-0), SMU (5-1), Duke (5-1), Clemson (4-1) and Syracuse (4-1). 

• Virginia is seeking back-to-back ACC wins at Scott Stadium for the first time under head coach Tony Elliott, also the first time since 2021. 

• Virginia and Louisville have met every year since 2014. As members of the ACC, Louisville has won six of the 10 meetings, including the last two. 

• Three of the five matchups against Louisville have been decided by one score, including a 34-33 last-minute road win by the Hoos in 2021. 

• Virginia holds a 4-2 advantage against Louisville at Scott Stadium. 

TOP STORYLINES 

• Virginia has won both of its ACC games this season in comeback fashion. The Cavaliers erased a 14-point deficit at Wake Forest and last weekend trailed 14-0 early in the second quarter before scoring 24 unanswered points in a win over Boston College. 

• Virginia scored 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Eagles and is outscoring opponents 38-20 in the final stanza this season. Last year, UVA opponents held a 114-54 edge in fourth-quarter scoring. 

• For the first time since 2019, the Cavaliers have not turned the ball over in back-to-back games. Additionally, Virginia has committed the fewest penalties of any team in the ACC.  

• Saturday’s showdown features two of the top wide receivers in the ACC. Louisville’s Ja’Corey Brooks leads the league in receiving touchdowns (6) and receiving yards per game (97.8). Virginia’s Malachi Fields is fourth in the ACC in receiving yards per game (82.4) and has scored all three of his touchdowns in the last two games. 

• The Cavaliers have two Kentucky natives on their roster, Xavier Brown and Kam Butler. Butler, who served as a game captain against Louisville last season, is expected to make his 50th career start Saturday. 

NUMBERS TO KNOW 

2.2 – Field goals per game for kicker Will Bettridge, the highest in the ACC and fourth-highest of any kicker in the country. 

43:07 – After falling behind 14-0 against Boston College on Saturday, UVA held the Eagles scoreless for the final 43:07 – a span in which UVA scored 24 unanswered points – to fuel its second double-digit comeback of the season. 

47 – Yards that wide receiver Malachi Fields needs to surpass 1,500 for his career. A total of 1,213 have come within the last 17 games. 

50 – Kentucky native Kam Butler (Florence, Ky.), is expected to make his 50th career start Saturday, the most among all current UVA players. 

ON THE HORIZON
Virginia travels to Clemson (4-1, 3-0), which is ranked No. 10 in this week’s AP poll, for what will most likely be the Cavaliers’ first ranked opponent of the season. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is scheduled for noon on ACC Network.