A year ago, the Cavaliers set up the Pitt Panthers with two short field touchdowns in a 14-3 defeat. Last fall, the UVa defense held Pitt scoreless other than those two drives. In 2014’s contest in Charlottesville, the defense limited Pitt to six points other than two short field scores. The difference in the Hoos’ 24-19 win this season? A 21-point first-half cushion that was just enough to secure the fourth win of the season.

The offense was good enough to win and Virginia’s defense was outstanding but the Cavalier special teams, with the exception of the place kicking operation, were bad. Really bad. Was it not for a perfect mark by the place kicking crew yanking the overall special team grade up seven points, the unit would have posted a big fat D (65.9) in the grades.

The second half drought against Pitt and the third quarter interception (UVa’s sixth consecutive game with a pick and ninth of the season) are troubling and the Hoos will face a Duke team this week that has outscored its opponents 86-29 in the second half and is averaging an INT per game.

Greg’s Grades

Offense

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