WINSTON-SALEM, NC (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – In a season marked by high expectations, the UVA football team delivered a thrilling comeback performance Saturday night, defeating Wake Forest 31-30 in Winston-Salem. The victory marked UVA’s first win at Wake Forest since 2002 and snapped a five-game losing streak against the Demon Deacons. It was also the Cavaliers’ second win of the 2024 season.

Wake Forest took control early, scoring two rushing touchdowns and adding two field goals in the first half. However, Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea kept the Cavaliers in the game with two second-quarter touchdown passes to tight end Tyler Neville, a Harvard transfer. Neville became the first UVA tight end with two touchdown catches in a game since Tom Santi in 2007.

The first half ended with Wake Forest leading 20-17. A third-quarter touchdown pass from Wake Forest’s Hank Bachmeier and another field goal extended the lead to 30-17. However, the Cavaliers mounted a fourth-quarter comeback, starting with a long touchdown drive, followed by another Colandrea touchdown pass, cutting the lead to 30-24.

As the game neared its end, UVA linebacker Trey McDonald stepped up in a key moment, recording nine tackles and a sack on fourth down to give the Cavaliers possession. Backup quarterback Grady Brosterhous finished a 66-yard drive with a quarterback sneak to tie the game. Kicker Will Bettridge added the extra point, giving UVA their first lead in nearly an hour of play. The defense then forced a fumble, sealing the Cavaliers’ 31-30 win.

UVA will return to Scott Stadium next week for a rivalry game against Maryland on September 14.