UVA football players Jewett Hayes and Sage Ennis celebrate with fans following the Cavaliers’ win over Virginia Tech on Saturday night at Scott Stadium. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Elliott held, in his right hand, the Commonwealth Cup, the trophy annually presented to the winner of the Wahoos-Hokies game. After a six-year hiatus, the Cup belongs to the Cavaliers.
And now, this upcoming Saturday, UVA can bring home another trophy worth celebrating.
The 16th-ranked Wahoos (10-2 record) play Duke University (7-5) on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
This special season is only getting better. Here’s what to know ahead of one of the biggest games in program history.
What’s at stake?
This is UVA’s second all-time appearance in the ACC Championship Game and first since 2019.
A win would give the Hoos their first ACC title in 30 years and punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff.
The national tournament, which expanded from four to 12 teams in 2024, begins with first-round games on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 and concludes with the championship game on Jan. 19 in Miami.
Overcoming the odds
In the preseason, the league’s media members selected the Cavaliers to finish 14th in the 17-team ACC. UVA has defied the odds because of many factors, including a confident quarterback.
Chandler Morris, who transferred from the University of North Texas last winter, made a bold declaration in January when he told media members, “I didn’t come all the way to Virginia as a Texas boy to win five, six games. I want to win the conference championship. So, that’s my goal, coming all this way.”
Morris, a graduate student, has accounted for more than 2,800 total yards and 19 touchdowns this season.
“That wasn’t just show for show or talk,” Morris said after Saturday’s win. “The whole building believed in it.”
Chandler Morris: It’s been a long journey, but this group of guys in the locker room, I’m so blessed to be with this group, have these guys with me. They fight for me. It’s awesome. Just an awesome opportunity.
It’s been a long time coming, just trying to get this thing flipped. We’re going to make this the new normal here.
Antonio Clary: It means everything. We really wanted the goose egg, but that’s what we pride ourselves in – playing physical and playing all day long. We don’t play to anybody; we play to our standard. We don’t care who the opponent is.
Whether it’s Virginia Tech or whoever we play, we’re going to try and go out there and get a goose egg. We did our job as a defense and that’s all you can ask for.
Reporter: What’s the defensive mindset heading into Charlotte?
Clary: Hey, just play our brand of football. Don’t make it bigger than what it is. Just keep going.
We know how good we are. We know what we’re capable of. We just got to stick to the plan and keep doing the daily things we’ve been doing – and go get another win.
Kameron Courtney: Really, throughout the week, what we were focusing on was winning on the perimeter. I credit my blockers out there, being able to trust them. And then catching the ball, it kind of reminded me of high school. I turn into a running back and cut up the field and get open. I feel like that’s what I’m good at.
When I caught the ball and I’ve seen it, I’m like, “Let me put my foot in the ground and get up field.”
That was great. That was another goal, even before worrying about the next game or the game coming up, coach Elliott was saying, “We got to win the state first.” I think they won the last 19 or 20 games, something like that. So that was a big game for us and all the alums. It felt good doing that.
Reporter: What’s your mindset heading into Charlotte?
Courtney: Same thing it’s always been – get back to work. Take tonight, rest, and get back on Monday and have our best game and see what we can do.
Blue Devil rematch
Saturday’s matchup is Round 2 of UVA-Duke in 2025.
Just three weeks ago, the Wahoos rolled the Blue Devils, 34-17, in Durham, North Carolina, behind a big day from Morris (316 passing yards) and running back J’Mari Taylor (133 rushing yards).
A Hoo takeover
Saturday will be a Wahoo takeover in Charlotte as, eight hours before the football game, the UVA men’s basketball team tips off against the University of Dayton at the Spectrum Center, located a mile from Bank of America Stadium.
The Westin Charlotte hotel is serving as UVA’s “Fan Central” location as guests are invited to stop by the hospitality center in the lobby, spin the prize wheel to win UVA swag, snap a few selfies at the photo booth and connect with other Hoos coming to and through town.
