2011 Opponent Recap: University of Virginia

UVA RECORD: 8-3 (5-2 ACC) (W 14-13 against (25) Florida State)

VT RECORD: 10-1 (6-1 ACC) (W 24-21 against North Carolina)

SCORE: (6) VT 38 – (24) UVA 0

GAME SUMMARY: On their first drive of the game, the Hokies went 70 yards, capped by a 14 yard Logan Thomas touchdown run. The Wahoos responded with a 75 yard drive, but Mike London’s fourth down gamble was stopped a yard short at the VT 7 by Jack Tyler, and the rout was on. 31 more points were scored in the game, and UVA scored none of them. For the duration of the game, the Cavaliers would enter the Hokie red zone only twice more; before halftime Mike Rocco was strip-sacked by Kyle Fuller, and near the end of the third quarter UVA K Robert Randolph missed wide right from the 21. In short, this game was the epitome of LOLUVA.

LOCK IT IN THE LUNCHPAIL: Oh, so this is how the team looks when it plays a “complete game.” The defense was superb, limiting the ‘Hoos to 30 yards rushing, sacking Rocco four times, and picking him off twice. The UVA offense was held to 3 of 11 third downs, and failed to convert any of their fourth down attempts. David Wilson had perhaps his best game of the season, gaining 153 yards on the ground, highlighted by a masterful 27-yard touchdown camper that kick started Tech’s second half scoring avalanche. Hosley, Exum, Tyler, and Gayle all played great games defensively. Most importantly, the Hokies BROUGHT IT. After UVA’s improbable 1 point win over the Seminoles, all Tech heard for a week leading to the game was how the Cavaliers had arrived, how it was UVA’s time to take the next step. And the Hokies dominated them. Cav quarterbacks were under constant pressure. UVA rushers had no holes to hit. Tech wide receivers hit harder than UVA defenders. Hell, BACK-UPS PLAYED. This game more than getting to the ACC Championship Game, it was about reminding everyone that the status quo of college football in the Commonwealth remained unchanged . And it was GLORIOUS. 8-STRAIGHT, Y’ALL.

UVA SEASON RECORD: 8-4 (5-3 ACC), 2^nd ACC Coastal.

UVA SEASON SUMMARY: The 2011 season started in typical UVA fashion, win against FCS William & Mary notwithstanding. The Cavs struggled in Bloomington, having to resort to a last second field goal to beat an Indiana team that finished the season 1-11 and winless against FBS schools. They looked outclassed in a loss to North Carolina. Home field advantage could not help the ‘Hoos overcome a very good Southern Miss team. They needed overtime to defeat a 2-10 Idaho team. Once the ACC conference schedule started, surely this team would just replicate last year’s 4-8 record, right? But a funny thing happened on the way to #OCCUPYSCOTTSTADIUM…the Cavaliers started winning games. Mike London’s crew held off a late Georgia Tech rally to end the Yellow Jackets’ 6-game win streak. The Cavs emptied the bag tricks to beat the Hurricanes on the road. They forced five turnovers in a win over Maryland. The ‘Hoos somehow solved their annual Blue Devil gridiron conundrum. And wild finish aside, UVA physically dominated the FSU o-line in a one point win. This team made both progress and headlines, but in the end, this was the same ol’ Virginia. Just like when they followed their upset of 12^th ranked GT with a listless loss to NCSU, the Cavs could not build off the momentum of their first ever win in Tallahassee and got throttled by the Hokies. But hey, being bowl eligible is light years ahead of where most of us thought this team would finish by the end of September.

OFFENSIVE MVP: G Austin Pasztor. 84 KO.

Selected as a 2^nd team AP All-American, and 1^st team ALL ACC, Pasztor did not allow a sack all season. Continuity along the offensive line (Pasztor, Aboushi, Mihota, Bowanko and Moses started all 12 games together) allowed Michael Rocco to effectively run the offense.

DEFENSIVE MVP: DT Matt Conrath. 64 TK – 11 TFL – 2 SK – 2 FF.

The senior was selected 1^st team ALL ACC. Ranking third on the team in tackles, he had a season high 10 in the overtime victory over Idaho. His value on special teams was tremendous, blocking three kicks for the ‘Hoos. 

POSTSEASON: Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Auburn 7-5 (4-4 SEC), 4th SEC West.