By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Josh Llyod-The Mojo Network)
J’Mari Taylor delivered one of the most unique performances of the ACC season, becoming the first league running back since 2021 to both run for a touchdown and throw one in the same game as No. 18 Virginia handled Virginia Tech 27 to 7 on Saturday night. The win locked in the Cavaliers’ place in the ACC title game.
Taylor powered the offense with 80 rushing yards and a score, while also connecting on a trick-play touchdown pass that ignited the home crowd. Quarterback Chandler Morris added 182 passing yards and an eight-yard rushing touchdown, helping Virginia secure only its second win over its rival in the last 21 meetings.
Virginia will now meet Duke in the ACC Championship after SMU’s loss to California later in the night. Duke emerged from a tight tiebreaker among five two-loss conference teams.
The Cavaliers, now 10 and 2 overall and 7 and 1 in ACC play, set the tone immediately. A deflected pass on the opening drive turned into an interception, and Virginia cashed it in for an early touchdown before controlling the game the rest of the way.
Virginia’s defense delivered one of its best outings of the year, holding the Hokies to a season-low 197 total yards in front of a Scott Stadium crowd of 58,832, the largest turnout at the venue since 2011. Linebacker Maddox Marcellus stepped up in place of injured star Kam Robinson, finishing with nine tackles, an interception, and involvement in a key sack.
Virginia Tech, now 3 and 9 with a 2 and 6 conference record, finally broke through late when Kyron Drones connected with Shamarius Peterkin for a 57-yard touchdown with just over four minutes remaining. It was not enough to threaten Virginia’s momentum as the Cavaliers moved one step closer to a potential ACC championship run.