‘Hoos Trample Temple, 51-3

Wali Lundy had scoring runs of 19, 8, 5 and 5 yards.

Virginia ran, defended, scored and dominated like it hasn’t done all season. Then again, it was just another typical day for Temple.

The Cavaliers smacked around one of college football’s worst teams today, starting a three-game homestand with a 51-3 victory at Scott Stadium. Wali Lundy and Jason Snelling, both slowed most of the season, combined for 239 rushing yards and six touchdowns as UVa (5-3) moved a step closer toward bowl eligibility.

“It was a move in the right direction for us,” said Virginia coach Al Groh, whose team played for the first time since an ugly 7-5 loss to North Carolina two weeks ago. “It wasn’t a Picasso, but it was OK. It was good.”

It didn’t have to be a masterpiece against the atrocious Owls (0-10), who have now been outscored 460-90 this season. Virginia took advantage of outstanding field position all afternoon and scored on eight of its first 10 possessions. Backups played most of the second half after the Wahoos turned two turnovers into TDs at the start of the third quarter to take a 41-0 lead.

Lundy carried 19 times for 113 yards and four touchdowns. Snelling rushed 17 times for a career-high 126 yards and two TDs. Those were the first rushing scores of the season for the team’s projected starting backfield, which has been hindered by injuries (Lundy) and illness (Snelling).

“It felt good to be back to being myself and being 100 percent,” said Lundy, who ran for 191 yards in six previous games with a sprained foot.

Marques Hagans had an average day at quarterback, completing 10 of 18 passes for 132 yards with an interception. Christian Olsen entered in the third quarter and directed a touchdown drive on his first series but was ineffective in the fourth quarter. Kevin McCabe mopped up.

The defense held Temple to 167 yards, three in the first quarter, and forced three second-half turnovers. Brennan Schmidt had an interception and a forced fumble on the Owls’ first two possessions of the second half. The Cavs quickly converted those into TDs and finished with their most lopsided victory since a 51-0 win over Akron last season.

The Cavs still need one more win to qualify for a bowl, but it won’t be easy. Georgia Tech, a 30-17 winner over Wake Forest, comes to Scott Stadium next week, followed by #3 Virginia Tech and a trip to #5 Miami.

“I think we’ve got a ways to go overall with what we need to do to be ready for what faces us next week,” Groh said. “Quite clearly, that’s going to be a much more severe challenge.”