The Shadow
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (VR) — Virginia saw its five-game home winning streak come to an end Friday night as Duke rallied from a 13-6 halftime deficit to hand the Cavaliers their second consecutive loss at Scott Stadium.
The Cavaliers (6-2) entered the contest having won nine of their last 11 meetings with the Blue Devils dating back to 2015. Despite the loss, Virginia has won nine of the last 12 matchups.
Virginia controlled the ball for more than 38 minutes but was unable to hold its halftime advantage. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak when leading at the break and marked the first time since 2024 that the Cavaliers have dropped back-to-back games.
Jekail Middlebrook led Virginia’s offense with a career-high 117 rushing yards on 24 carries. Middlebrook scored the Cavaliers’ lone touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. It marked his fourth rushing touchdown of the season and his first 100-yard rushing performance in a Virginia uniform.
Quarterback Beau Pribula carried the ball a career-high 21 times for 66 yards, surpassing 1,000 career rushing yards. Pribula now has 1,056 yards on the ground.
Tight end John Rogers finished with career highs of five receptions and 65 receiving yards. His 27-yard reception in the first quarter helped set up Virginia’s touchdown.
Defensively, Virginia limited Duke running back Nate Sheppard to a season-low 55 yards on 15 carries. Sheppard entered the game leading the ACC with an average of 136.7 rushing yards per contest.
Linebacker Kam Robinson recorded his ninth career sack in the second quarter before intercepting a Duke pass late in the third quarter to stop a drive in Virginia territory. Robinson has now recorded at least one interception in each of his four seasons with the Cavaliers.
Maddox Marcellus added two tackles for loss, while Virginia’s defense recorded six quarterback hurries for the second consecutive game.
The Cavaliers held Duke to just two conversions on 10 third-down attempts, although both came on scoring drives in the second half. Virginia’s offense converted two of its three fourth-down attempts after entering the contest ranked second nationally with 21 successful fourth-down conversions.
Wide receiver Jacquon Gibson reached 100 career receptions with a 3-yard catch in the third quarter. Gibson finished with two receptions for 14 yards.
The loss dropped Virginia to 15-6 under head coach Tony Elliott when leading at halftime and ended the Cavaliers’ five-game home winning streak dating back to last season’s regular-season finale against Virginia Tech.
Virginia will look to regroup after consecutive losses to SMU and Duke, having previously won five straight games following a defeat.
