With 4:59 remaining in the third quarter on Saturday afternoon, NC State backup quarterback Will Wilson took a designed run up the middle and into the end zone. After converting on a two-point conversion, the Wolfpack had cut Virginia's advantage to 24-8.
The Cavaliers' lead inside a sold-out Scott Stadium wasn't in any immediate jeopardy, but for the first time, the visitor's sideline had a hint of momentum.
Over the next 12:15 of game time, however, the 'Hoos slammed the door shut with deafening authority. With a program-record 23-play touchdown drive, Virginia not only extinguished the Wolfpack's faint hopes of a late comeback but also sent a strongly worded message to the college football world: 2025 was no fluke, and the 2026 Cavaliers might be even better.
The 23-play touchdown march began at Virginia's own 25-yard-line, featured 18 runs to just five pass attempts, and resulted in 21 plays for a gain. The 'Hoos, behind a starting line that received national buzz for its combined 31 seasons of collegiate experience, beat back the Wolfpack, getting whatever they wanted on the ground while mixing in well-timed aerial strikes to keep the defense honest.
"As the drive went longer and longer, they could feel it," Tony Elliott said postgame. "To be honest, I didn't even know it was 23 plays when we were in it. It was just [about] finding a way to keep the ball away from their offense and either flip the field or find a way to go score points on that drive."
#time #touchdown #line #plays
The Cavaliers' lead inside a sold-out Scott Stadium wasn't in any immediate jeopardy, but for the first time, the visitor's sideline had a hint of momentum.
Over the next 12:15 of game time, however, the 'Hoos slammed the door shut with deafening authority. With a program-record 23-play touchdown drive, Virginia not only extinguished the Wolfpack's faint hopes of a late comeback but also sent a strongly worded message to the college football world: 2025 was no fluke, and the 2026 Cavaliers might be even better.
The 23-play touchdown march began at Virginia's own 25-yard-line, featured 18 runs to just five pass attempts, and resulted in 21 plays for a gain. The 'Hoos, behind a starting line that received national buzz for its combined 31 seasons of collegiate experience, beat back the Wolfpack, getting whatever they wanted on the ground while mixing in well-timed aerial strikes to keep the defense honest.
"As the drive went longer and longer, they could feel it," Tony Elliott said postgame. "To be honest, I didn't even know it was 23 plays when we were in it. It was just [about] finding a way to keep the ball away from their offense and either flip the field or find a way to go score points on that drive."
#time #touchdown #line #plays
2 months ago
