The Shadow
MORGANTOWN, Wv. (VR) – Virginia’s three-game winning streak against non-conference opponents came to an end Saturday as the Cavaliers fell to West Virginia.
The loss dropped Virginia to 1-3 all-time against Big 12 opponents and 12-11-1 in the all-time series with West Virginia. Saturday marked the first regular-season meeting between the programs since 1985 and snapped UVA’s three-game winning streak in the series.
The Cavaliers also fell to 3-2 all-time at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. The loss ended UVA’s seven-game winning streak in games played during August and September, including five straight September victories.
West Virginia finished with 437 yards of total offense, the most allowed by Virginia since Florida State posted 514 yards in UVA’s 47-38 double-overtime win on Sept. 26, 2025. The Cavaliers had held their previous three opponents to 260 yards or fewer, dating back to last season’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against No. 25 Missouri.
Virginia rushed for 157 yards after opening the season with back-to-back games of more than 200 rushing yards against NC State and Norfolk State.
Neither team committed a turnover. Virginia has forced at least one turnover in 12 of its last 14 games, producing 23 takeaways during that span, including 17 interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
Ten Cavaliers recorded at least one reception, marking the second consecutive game Virginia has had 10 or more players catch a pass.
Virginia scored a touchdown on its opening possession for the second straight game, driving 62 yards on 12 plays in 6:58. The Cavaliers had three drives of at least 10 plays, with two ending in touchdowns and another ending with a missed field goal.
UVA controlled the clock for 33:07, but the loss ended a nine-game winning streak when the Cavaliers possessed the ball for at least 30 minutes.
The Cavaliers entered the fourth quarter trailing 28-21, marking the first time they had been behind after three quarters since last season’s game against Washington State. Virginia overcame a 20-10 fourth-quarter deficit in that game to win 22-20.
Virginia also entered Saturday having not allowed more than two touchdowns from scrimmage in regulation over its previous seven games.
Jekail Middlebrook led the Cavaliers on the ground with 75 yards on 17 carries and scored UVA’s first touchdown on an 8-yard run. He added a 1-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, giving him both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game for the second time in his career.
Middlebrook previously accomplished the feat Oct. 29, 2025, while playing for Middle Tennessee State. He became the second Virginia player this season to record a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game, joining Xavier Brown, who did so against NC State.
It marks the first time since 2021 that two different Cavaliers have accomplished the feat in the same season.
Brown rushed for 71 yards on eight carries and surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards. He and Middlebrook are the two Virginia running backs on the 2026 roster with more than 1,000 career rushing yards.
Brown also broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. It was his second rushing touchdown of the season, third touchdown overall and the Cavaliers’ longest play of the game.
Defensive end Fisher Camac led Virginia with a career-high 11 tackles, including three solo stops. His 11 tackles were the most by a Virginia defensive lineman since Eli Harold recorded 11 against BYU in 2013.
Jacobie Henderson also posted a career-best 10 tackles, including three solo. The Charlotte native had established his previous career high with eight tackles against Norfolk State on Sept. 11.
Kam Courtney led UVA with five receptions, one shy of his career high.
Rico Flores Jr. recorded his first reception as a Cavalier on a 26-yard fourth-down conversion in the third quarter. The play helped set up Virginia’s game-tying touchdown, making the score 21-21.
Xay Davis established career highs with three receptions and 51 receiving yards. His 35-yard catch in the fourth quarter was also a career long and helped set up Virginia’s fourth touchdown on its final drive.
Punter Daniel Sparks recorded a career-best four punts inside the 20-yard line and surpassed 11,000 career punting yards.
Matthew Fobbs-White recorded a career-high five tackles, while Kam Robinson matched his career high with two tackles for loss.
Montino Williams made his first career start at safety, while offensive lineman McKale Boley made his 25th consecutive start.
Tight end John Rogers scored his second career touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Beau Pribula, capping Virginia’s final drive of the night. Rogers was making his second career start after starting the 2025 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against Missouri.
Virginia’s offensive starters were Beau Pribula at quarterback; Jekail Middlebrook at running back; Kameron Courtney and Ty’Lyric Coleman at wide receiver; Dakota Twitty and John Rogers at tight end; McKale Boley at left tackle; Noah Josey at left guard; Drake Metcalf at center; Makilan Thomas at right guard; and Monroe Mills at right tackle.
The defensive starters were Fisher Camac and Matthew Fobbs-White at defensive end; Darrion Henry-Young and Anthony Britton at defensive tackle; Kam Robinson and Maddox Marcellus at linebacker; Jacobie Henderson and Amillio Agard at cornerback; Corey Costner at spur; and Montino Williams and Ethan Minter at safety.
Game captains were Noah Vaughn, Jacobie Henderson, Fisher Camac and Elijah Slibeck.
