Virginia Dusts Off Duke, 38-7

Marcus Hamilton made two of Virginia’s three interceptions.

Fourth-quarter drama? Too close for comfort? Not this time. After a shaky first half, Virginia spared its fans any more angst by scoring four touchdowns in a span of six offensive plays, opening the floodgates for a 38-7 victory over Duke at Scott Stadium. That explosive stretch, plus a strong overall game on defense and special teams, allowed the 23rd-ranked Cavaliers to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Unlike in narrow wins over Western Michigan and Syracuse, the Wahoos were able to dominate a mediocre opponent – eventually, anyway. Marques Hagans threw four touchdown passes and the defense forced four turnovers as UVa turned in a performance that was far from perfect but more than good enough against the bumbling Blue Devils (1-3).

“It was just a slow start,” said tailback Michael Johnson. “Of course we can’t start slow like that against other ACC teams. Luckily, it was Duke.”

The joy of the win was dulled by an injury to senior left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who limped off the field in the first quarter and had his left knee wrapped in ice by halftime. “It’s a little early to tell anything there,” said UVa coach Al Groh. “I’m sure he’ll be day to day.”

Center Brian Barthelmes also left the game with an ankle injury, though he was riding an exercise bike on the sideline and might have been able to return. It wasn’t necessary because the Cavs led 10-0 at the half and then pulled away in the third quarter.

Hagans threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Tom Santi immediately after three straight illegal procedure penalties threatened to ruin UVa’s opening drive of the second half.

Moments later, Marcus Hamilton’s second interception of the game gave Virginia the ball back at the Duke 12. On third down, Hagans fired a pass to freshman tight end John Phillips , who carried several Blue Devils on his back to reach the end zone for a 12-yard TD and a 24-0 lead.

It took one more offensive snap for the ‘Hoos to score again. Two Duke penalties on a punt put the ball at the Blue Devil 23, and Hagans found Deyon Williams open on a post pattern in the end zone. Williams also caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Duke, which mustered just 215 yards of offense, mounted its only long drive, scoring on Jomar Wright’s 30-yard catch on the first play of the fourth quarter. But the Cavs answered with Johnson’s 68-yard kickoff return down the right sideline, followed by Cedric Peerman ‘s 17-yard touchdown run on the next play.

“We just kind of kept grinding,” Groh said. “Those things don’t happen automatically. You have to have a grinder’s mentality.”