CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Brian Delaney connected on a 48-yard field goal with 1:23 left to play, and Virginia defensive lineman Eli Hanback recovered a Virginia Tech fumble in the end zone with a minute to go to lift the Cavaliers to a 39-30 victory over the Hokies in this year's Commonwealth Clash played at Scott Stadium.
With the loss, the Hokies fell to 8-4 overall on the season, 5-3 in the ACC and saw their 15-game winning streak over the Cavaliers come to an end. Virginia moved to 9-3 overall, 6-2 in the ACC and won the league's Coastal Division for the first time.
The Hokies led 30-27 after Brian Johnson drilled a career-long 47-yard field goal with 10:58 remaining, but Virginia answered on its ensuing possession, tying the game on Delaney's 25-yard field goal with 7:35 to go.
Tech then drove into Virginia territory on its next possession, but the drive ended when UVA's Noah Taylor intercepted a Hendon Hooker pass at the Virginia 35 with less than 5 minutes remaining. The Cavaliers converted that turnover into Delaney's 48-yard field goal to take a 33-30 lead.
The Hokies' next possession was a mess. Hooker was sacked on the first two plays of the drive, leaving the Hokies with a third-and-21 from the Tech 7. On the next play, Virginia defensive lineman Mandy Alonso sacked Hooker, stripping him of the ball, and Hanback recovered the ball in the end zone for the touchdown with 61 seconds left, all but sealing the game.
The Hokies finished with 483 yards of offense and were led by Hooker, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 311 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for 44 yards.
Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins led the Cavaliers, accounting for 475 yards of offense. He threw for 311 and rushed for 164.
COMMONWEALTH CLASH
Friday's game between the Hokies and the Cavaliers was presented by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics and the University of Virginia Athletics. To learn more about Virginia529 and the competition go to the following link. Building on a tradition started in 1895, the Commonwealth Clash is a head-to-head points-based competition within the 22 varsity sports in which Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia compete against each other. At the end of the season, the institution with the most points is crowned the champion of the Commonwealth Clash. Virginia currently holds a 4-2 lead.
GAME NOTES
• Hooker's 311 yards passing were a career high. His previous career high of 261 yards came in the Hokies' 34-17 win over Rhode Island.
• Hooker also set career highs for completions (18) and attempts (30)
• Hooker's 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter marked his longest rush of the season.
• Hooker threw his first career interception, ending a string of 124 attempts without an interception. The interception marked the first of his career and came on a "Hail Mary" play to end the first half.
• Deshawn McClease's 1-yard touchdown run was his sixth rushing touchdown of the season and the 11th of his career.
• Tré Turner's 61-yard touchdown reception was the longest reception of his career, surpassing a 55-yard reception against North Carolina in October.
• Chamarri Conner's interception in the first quarter marked the first interception of his career.
• Johnson remained perfect in his career on field-goal attempts inside of 30 yards (14 of 14).
• Johnson hit three field goals in the game, tying a career high. He hit three in the Hokies' victory over Wake Forest and hit three last season in the loss to Notre Dame.
UP NEXT
The Commonwealth Clash concluded the regular season and the Hokies now await their bowl destination.Gallery: (11/29/2019) 2019 FOOTBALL vs. VIRGINIA
