The Shadow
RALEIGH, N.C. — Virginia’s offense had its best showing of the season Saturday night, but it wasn’t enough to snap a long skid against NC State. The Wolfpack came away with a 38-31 victory at Carter-Finley Stadium, handing UVA its fourth straight loss in the series and sixth in the last seven meetings.
The Cavaliers (0-2) piled up 514 yards of total offense, their highest total since a 525-yard effort at Coastal Carolina last fall, and churned out 257 yards on the ground. For the second straight week, the offensive line kept quarterback Chandler Morris clean without allowing a sack, and the Hoos converted an impressive 13 of 19 third-down attempts.
Running back J’Mari Taylor set the tone early, breaking free for a 39-yard touchdown run on the opening drive. He later added a 9-yard score and finished with three rushing touchdowns, becoming the first Virginia tailback with three in a game since Mike Hollins in 2023. Taylor, who transferred from NC Central, has now scored in 13 straight games and already has five rushing TDs on the season — more than any Cavalier managed all last year.
Morris directed back-to-back 75-yard touchdown drives to open the game, and Virginia dominated time of possession in the first half, holding the ball for just over 20 minutes compared to NC State’s 10. The Cavaliers also found production in the return game, with Cam Ross totaling 140 all-purpose yards, highlighted by a 48-yard punt return.
Tight end Sage Ennis added his first career touchdown reception on a 3-yard grab just before halftime, though it came after briefly exiting with an apparent injury.
Defensively, Virginia held NC State to just 1-for-7 on third down conversions. But the Wolfpack continued their remarkable home dominance in non-conference play, improving to 32-2 in such games under head coach Dave Doeren.
The Cavaliers had a chance late, but an interception in the end zone with 1:07 remaining ended hopes of a comeback. It was UVA’s first turnover of the season.
Virginia’s 31 points were its most in the series since a 2012 victory in Raleigh, which also remains the Cavaliers’ last win over the Wolfpack. The all-time tally now stands at 22-38-1 in NC State’s favor, with the Hoos posting just nine wins in 27 trips to Raleigh.
