Greg’s Grades 2021: Louisville

The grades are in.
The Hoos celebrated another road win. ~ Photo courtesy of Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics Media Relations

Coach Bronco Mendenhall got another Cavalier first as head coach, claiming the Virginia football team’s first win on the road at Louisville. He also secured back-to-back ACC road wins for the first time in a decade for the Hoos with UVA’s 34-33 victory.

But it wasn’t easy. Nursing a 13-10 lead entering the third quarter, Louisville took the second half kickoff and drove 75 yards in five plays, the first of 20 unanswered points over the next 14:31. Virginia would come back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Louisville 21-3. And just like last week against Miami, the opponent had one more chance to claim a win by connecting on a final second field goal, and, just like last week, instead of a win, the kick went wide left.

Overview

Offense: 83.12 (B)

  • Highlights: For the third time in 2021, Brennan Armstrong was named the ACC Quarterback of the Week; he becomes the fourth Cavalier trigger-man to earn the award three times in a season.
  • Not so bright: UVA had four receivers catch less than 70% of the passes thrown to them.

Virginia’s opening four drives of the game and its final four drives accounted for 477 of the team’s 522 total yards and all 34 points. The middle five drives accounted for a horror flick reel, including a missed field goal, two punts, and two interceptions.

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