CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Virginia Football team entered the contest with the 13th ranked Mustangs needing one win to achieve bowl eligibility for the first time since 2021, (the bowl game was canceled)  but they haven’t played in the post season since 2019.  Following a 35-14 loss to Notre Dame, with questions at quarterback, UVA still had a great opportunity on senior day at home to upset the team at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference.  However, the Hoos did not meet the moment, and struggled offensively for the majority of the game.  UVA sophomore quarterback Anthony Colandrea was under duress the entire game, being sacked 9 times, and hit 20 times, and he was pressured throughout the contest.  UVA managed to accumulate under 200 yards offensively, and lost two offensive lineman and two running backs to injury.  Defensively, Virginia didn’t fare much better health wise because starting linebacker James Jackson didn’t play, and Kam Robinson was only used situationally.  The Hoos did manage to force two turnovers, but because they struggled so much offensively they couldn’t capitalize.  SMU amassed 473 yards of total offense including 323 yards passing.  Conversely, UVA managed 173 total yards, and gave up 9 sacks totaling a loss of 69 yards.  With the multiple injuries at running back, quarterback Anthony Colandrea was the leading rusher, carrying it 20 times for 65 yards.  Tony Elliott was very candid and open in his post game comments on the WINA Virginia Sports Network:

Up next for the Cavaliers, they head to Virginia Tech for a match up with the Hokies at 8p.m.  Coverage on WINA begins at 6p.m.