The Virginia football team led 6-3 with fewer than six minutes remaining in the third quarter Saturday against Louisville, but momentum was building. The Cavaliers dialed up one of their favorite plays for the occasion and it delivered once again. It probably gave some Cardinals a fearful flashback too and this time there was no Lamar Jackson to save the day.

At that point in the game, UVA had survived an interception on their first possession of the half thanks to a goal line stand from the defense. Evan Butts kept the ensuing drive with a tough first down catch on 3rd-and-8 despite getting blasted by a defender. Bryce Perkins electrified the crowd with his first hurdling act and now the Hoos lined up for 2nd-and-Goal just inside the six-minute mark.

That’s the perfect time to dial up a go-to play that the players have a lot of confidence in and that’s exactly what Virginia offensive coordinator Robert Anae did. In goal-to-go situations, the Cavaliers frequently will show power running formations only to mix in some misdirection routes to set up a pass. That’s what happened here.

UVA aligned in a two tight end formation with Tanner Cowley to the left and Evan Butts to the right, both setting up with a hand down at the end of the line. Perkins lined up under center with running backs Jordan Ellis and Chris Sharp behind him; Sharp sat to the right of Ellis. On the far right side of the formation, receiver Hasise Dubois lined up and then motioned in toward the line.

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