20 Takeaways From Virginia’s Win Over Georgia Tech

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Under normal circumstances, I’d just do a few takeaways from a Virginia football game. But last night’s 48-40 victory over Georgia Tech is deserving of so much more. It was an all-around memorable experience, from the rollercoaster game to the atmosphere and personal interactions with fellow fans. Gonna try for 20 notes/takeaways. Not in any order, just a brain dump.

Onside Kick Coverage…All Week

Yeah, let’s get it out of the way early. The game was ALL THE WAY over — 48-27 with less than 4:00 to play — until it wasn’t because we let up. It was ugly, too, especially the TWO onside kicks Georgia Tech recovered. Everyone was just waiting for the next guy to make a play instead of taking the initiative. Watch below. A win is a win and the good far outweighs the bad but this was almost a devastating situation.

Bronco didn’t kill his special teams unit or coaching in the postgame presser, rather giving credit to GT.

Heisman Chants All Over

If you were at the game last night, odds are you heard your fair share of “Heisman!” chants when Brennan Armstrong made a big play. Virginia isn’t a Heisman hotbed or anything but the locals are bought in on the idea and he’s torn up the ACC through eight games. To truly get to New York, though, it will matter what he does over the next four games. Literally, all four have more national intrigue than any of the previous eight. At BYU, home against No. 13 Notre Dame, at fellow Heisman hopeful Kenny Pickett and Pitt, then the annual showdown with VA Tech.

BA = Leg Day

If BA is going to make a run at the Heisman and deliver Virginia to a big bowl game, he needs to be in tip-top shape. After seeing him against Tech, it appears he’s ready to roll. Brennan had a season-high 99 yards on the ground plus two touchdowns. His previous high this season was 34 yards last week vs. Duke. By comparison, and keep in mind UVA’s passing game wasn’t as developed as it currently is, he had six games of 50-plus rushing yards last season.

Best Crowd Yet?

As good as Saturday afternoons at Scott are, the people showed up in droves for the Saturday night affair. Over 45,000 people were in the house and it was an engaged crowd. Fewer people stayed outside tailgating than usual and it felt like everyone was glued to their seats instead of milling about.

Ride For Section 118

Never sat in Section 118 before but it had so much to offer. Season ticket holders, first-time game goers, townies, LAX parents, and more. It was a total Wahoo melting pot and I’m sold. The whole depth perception thing was tough but the vibe outweighed everything.

Tons of Unity/Celebration

With 32 CAVALIER FIRST DOWNS and 48 GOOD OLE points, Wahoo Nation was in unison a lot last night. It’s why sports are so great, especially in Charlottesville. They bring our city together.

O-Line Showed Up (pt. 1)

Brennan Armstrong was only sacked once last night and it came on a blitz on the first play of the third quarter. Additionally, the Yellowjackets only had one QB hurry. You know Virginia throws the ball a ton, so that says something.

O-Line Showed Up (pt. 2)

On the ground, Virginia’s backs were always moving forward. That’s demoralizing to a defense. So it’s no surprise they had their best game of the season on the ground. Between running backs Wayne Taulapapa and Devin Darrington, only one of their 11 combined runs went for less than three yards. UVA totaled 240 rushing yards on 30 carries (8 per carry) overall.

Keytaon One-Handed Catch 

Keytaon Thompson made play after play last night, including this WILD one-handed catch that also (probably) saved an interception.

Sniper Got ‘Em

Early in the fourth quarter Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims busted loose on a fourth-and-one. Luckily, with a wide-open field, he either ran out of steam or just tripped, saving the Hoos a touchdown. They ended up kicking a field goal. Not being talked about, but it was big. That reminds me, this defense and big plays. Never seen anything like it.

Joey Blount Statement Game

Just based on impact, Joey Blount may have been my choice to break the rock. He made a statement during the game, picking off Sims when the Yellowjackets were LEADING and DRIVING into Virginia territory. They score a touchdown and go up 23-14, maybe we don’t win that game. Huge play by Joey, who also had an interception called back. After the game, don’t forget the statement he made with them shades!! Get ’em!!

Mr. Sunday Jelani Woods

Several players from this team will get NFL looks, but Jelani Woods is undeniable. With his size, no one can guard him. Imagine the work he could do for an NFL team in the redzone. Jelani had three catches for 63 yards vs. GT.

LAX Honored Between Quarters

Both Michaela Meyer and the 2021 UVA Lacrosse team were honored between quarters. The crowd especially went nuts when they showed Meyer’s come-from-behind win in the 800m on the big screen. It was a great moment. Also, the LAX parents were a hoot to sit near. They’ll be back for next year’s celebration.

Y’all See the Vintage Collection?!?

The Vintage Collection rules. Honoring tradition and calling back to yesteryear will always be a classy move, and they selected great designs. There was a booth set up last night with great selling specifically Vintage Collection but you can also get it here from the bookstore. Read more about the history of the selected designs here.

Yo! They Ran Out of Popcorn!!

So this kind of goes against my thought that everyone stayed in their seat, but the concession stand outside Section 118 ran out of popcorn (and it looked like many other things). When I snuck out in the third quarter — that’s the move to avoid halftime craziness — it was like that scene in My Cousin Vinny; hot dog, soda, or peanuts.

We Goin’ to a Bowl, Whatttt

Keytaon Got to Break the Rock…

…on his BIRTHDAY!! The football player finished with seven carries for 65 yards and nine catches for 89 yards. PILLAR. OF. THE. PROGRAM.

TOP 25 LIFE

Snuck right inside ESPN’s Top 25 college football power ranking (No. 25) and we should be actually ranked, too. UPDATE: We’re not ranked in Coaches Poll. Sad emoji. Did receive some votes, though.

H/T Family Weekend

Hat tip to Family Weekend. It’s a right of passage when you start getting black-out drunk with your parents. Changes the whole dynamic.

Great ACC Weekend

So Wake is still undefeated — everyone loves the Swiss, right Mark Packer?!? Pitt beat Clemson, which is satisfying on many levels; Pitt’s jerseys are great, it’s better for college football when Northeast teams are solid, and because Clemson is Clemson. Perhaps best of all, Virginia Tech lost to Cuse at home and things are ALL jacked up down there.

This is all in addition to UVA winning four conference games in a row and having the best offense. OK, bye!