UVA football is headed to Florida for its bowl game, seeking historic 11th win

December 8, 2025
University of Virginia football players run onto the field before a game, one carrying an American flag and another carrying the Virginia state flag. A coach jogs alongside them, and a cameraman films the entrance. Fans in the stands watch in the background on a cool game day.

UVA head coach Tony Elliott leads his team onto the field for Saturday’s ACC Football Championship Game against Duke University at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Wahoos will be back in action Dec. 27 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against Missouri. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

The University of Virginia football team has one final opportunity to make history this season.

On Dec. 27, the 19th-ranked Cavaliers (10-3 record) will face No. 25 University of Missouri (8-4) in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Another UVA victory would set the Wahoo record for most wins in a season.

“I want that 11th (win),” Virginia head coach Tony Elliott said Saturday after the Cavaliers’ 27-20 overtime loss to Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. “I think everybody in that locker room wants that 11th. We’ll learn from tonight. We’ll grow.”

UVA, picked in the preseason media poll to finish 14th in the 17-team ACC, closed the regular season atop the conference standings and now will play in the program’s 22nd bowl game, and first since the 2019 Orange Bowl.

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“We’re proud to be the Atlantic Coast Conference’s representative in the Gator Bowl,” UVA Director of Athletics Carla Williams said in a statement. “What Coach Elliott, the football staff and the student-athletes have accomplished this year has been historic on many levels. This gives us yet another opportunity to showcase Virginia football on a national stage, and I’m excited to have our fans join us in Florida to support the Hoos.” 

The Gator Bowl is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC.

Fans are encouraged to contact the Virginia Ticket Office (434-924-UVA1) or visit UVATix.com for purchase options.

“We’re grateful for another opportunity to finish what has been such a special season for this program, the players, staff, alumni, donors and UVA fans,” Elliott said in a statement. “We want to send off our seniors, who have given everything to this program, the right way and that will be our focus going into this final game.” 

UVA is making its third trip to the Gator Bowl, following matchups with the University of Oklahoma in 1991 and Texas Tech on New Year’s Day 2008.

The Cavaliers have only squared off with Missouri once previously, a Mizzou home win in 1973. The Tigers compete in the Southeastern Conference.

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