Epic games

In anticipation of another Cavalier football season starting Saturday, I would like to share with you the top-10 Virginia games that I have experienced live. The list consists of mainly home games, but also one away game and one bowl game. The time frame spans from 1999 and 2000 — when I attended three games in each season — to 2001 — when my family bought season tickets — and to last year. In all, I’ve seen 58 Virginia games in person with an overall record of 43-15 (stats I became curious about once I started this column). I’ve missed two home games since 2001 — a surprise 34-21 win against No. 22 South Carolina in 2002 when Virginia was 0-2 and an even more shocking 31-0 trampling of Maryland last season the week after Virginia got blown out by Duke ­— yes, Duke.

Okay, on to the list. Unless otherwise specified, the game was played in Charlottesville.

10. Sept. 9, 2006; Virginia 13, Wyoming 12 OT

Had I not been going to Virginia games for seven years before this game, it would definitely be higher on the list. This was my first home game as a student. Although Virginia played a sub-par Wyoming team in a low-scoring game, it could not have induced more thrills. Wyoming used fake punts to convert on the fourth down not once, but twice. The Cowboys fumbled on the Virginia one-yard line in the third quarter, missing a chance to go up 13-3. Virginia scored on the first possession of overtime to go up 13-6. Wyoming answered with a touchdown, but missed the tying extra point. My, that kicker must’ve been sick after the game.

9. Sept. 15, 2007; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Virginia 22, North Carolina 20

During the fall of my second year, I had the opportunity to cover Virginia football games as a sports associate editor. This was one of two away games I attended (a 29-24 loss at N.C. State was the other). This game had it all, as explained by the opening in my Cavalier Daily article the following Monday: “In a wild game that featured a dramatic two-point conversion attempt to tie the game in the final minutes, a wacky field goal and a malfunctioning clock, it was clear that anything was possible — even a road victory — when Virginia traveled to North Carolina to take on the Tar Heels Saturday.” The “wacky field goal” was a long, 48-yarder by Chris Gould in the third quarter. The kick was clearly good, but was initially ruled no good. The Cavaliers challenged the play and the call was overturned. Running back Cedric Peerman ran for 186 yards.

8. Nov. 23, 2002; Virginia 48, Maryland 13

“Maryland easy.” These were the words I remember Kirk Herbstreit saying during College Gameday the morning before this game. The opposite was true, however, as the Cavaliers absolutely destroyed the defending ACC champion, No. 18 Maryland. Cavalier quarterback Matt Schaub completed 23 of 27 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. While I don’t know if Herbstreit fueled any of Virginia’s fire, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen did. In a virginiasports.com article following the game, Virginia linebacker Merrill Robertson said players were furious after Friedgen had said that he expected his team to beat Virginia, comparing the Cavaliers’ level of play to that of Duke’s. Oops, big mistake there, Fridge.

7. Nov. 3, 2007; Virginia 17, Wake Forest 16

Though there were a few close games in 2007, this one sticks out in my mind for a few reasons. The Cavaliers would simply not be denied a victory in this game. Yes, luck was involved. Wake Forest’s All-American kicker Sam Swank missed two of his three field goals. But on a couple of occasions, the Wake Forest offense drove deep into Virginia territory only to be turned back by a stellar defensive performance. I was in the press box for this game along with alumnus Ernie Washington, former Cavalier Daily Gameday Editor. You are supposed to remain quiet in the box and not show your allegiances and, at one point, a reporter told Ernie to keep his voice down. It was that type of intense game. When Swank missed the potential game-winning field goal wide right, we were holding on to each other and shaking to stave off the shouts of joy.

6. Dec. 28, 2002; Continental Tire Bowl, Charlotte, N.C.; Virginia 48, West Virginia 22

A complete drubbing of West Virginia concluded coach Al Groh’s first nine-win season at Virginia. It also ended a four-bowl game losing streak for Virginia. Cavalier running back Wali Lundy gained 239 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns. West Virginia fans were not the most cordial during that game. They used a “your mom” insult against my dad and actually took a sign away from a Virginia fan — a child, I believe — in a wheelchair. Yes, I saw it with my own eyes.

5. Nov. 6, 1999; Virginia 45, Georgia Tech 38

The incredulousness alone of this game should have landed it higher but competition is tough at the top. Georgia Tech came in ranked No. 7 with Heisman Trophy contender Joe Hamilton at quarterback. In the second game I ever witnessed live, Virginia quarterback David Rivers, starting for the injured Dan Ellis, made the most of his first and only start as quarterback, completing 18 of 30 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Thomas Jones was tremendous, rushing for 213 yards and two touchdowns.  Virginia stormed back to win the shootout after falling behind 17-0 after the first quarter.

4. Nov. 10, 2001; Virginia 39, Georgia Tech 38

This one is eclipsed only by field-rushes and a win against the arch rival. A lowly 3-6 Virginia team went blow-for-blow with the No. 20 Yellow Jackets, as the teams combined for 43 fourth-quarter points. Virginia quarterback Bryson Spinner completed 32 of 46 passes for 327 yards and five scores. The go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds was jaw-dropping. With Georgia Tech up 38-33 and Virginia on the Tech 37-yard line, Spinner hit receiver Billy McMullen around the 27-yard line, who tossed a lateral to running back Alvin Pearman, who caught the ball and went streaking up the sideline for the touchdown with 22 seconds left. After the seconds ticked off, pandemonium ensued.

3. Oct. 18, 2008; Virginia 16, North Carolina 13 OT

The game itself wasn’t spectacular until Virginia’s tying drive in the fourth quarter. Then it took off. With the Tar Heels up 10-3 and two minutes left, Cavalier quarterback Marc Verica completed seven of his eight passes on the tying drive and running back Cedric Peerman scored to make it 10-9. But then there was the extra point. No problem, right? Wrong. The ball got tipped in mid-air but still barely made it over the cross bar. I’m pretty sure at that point I had to sit for a minute in complete and total shock. Could I stand an overtime period? The Cavaliers made it look easy in overtime, though. They held North Carolina to a field goal and then Peerman scored his second touchdown to get the win. Rushing the field launches this game into the top three.

2. Oct. 15, 2005; Virginia 26, Florida St. 21

I missed my senior Homecoming dance for this one. Great choice. Ten years after Virginia handed Florida State its first ever ACC loss, the Cavaliers were at it again. Virginia’s scrambling quarterback Marques Hagans was so elusive; Seminole coach Bobby Bowden quipped after the game, “We couldn’t stop that dadgum No. 18.” The senior completed 27 of 36 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Virginia entered the fourth quarter up 26-10 and was able to hold on when Tony Franklin intercepted quarterback Drew Weatherford in the closing minute, preserving the win against the undefeated No. 4 Seminoles. With my parents in the nosebleed section, I told them I’d catch them later back at the car and ran down to the field.

1. Nov. 29, 2003; Virginia 35, Virginia Tech 21

No rushing the field in this one. Just a good old-fashioned beatdown of your arch rival. Senior quarterback Matt Schaub was brilliant on senior day, completing 32 of 46 passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns. Down 14-7 at halftime, the Cavaliers scored 21 consecutive points in the second half to take the lead. The Hokies pulled to within a touchdown, but a final touchdown drive that included a fake field goal pass to tight end Heath Miller clinched Groh’s only win against Tech. The feeling I had as I actually got to watch Tech fans walk down the aisles before the game was over was indescribable.

If you were lucky and actually attended Virginia’s epic 33-28 win against Florida State in 1995, the come-from-behind victory at Virginia Tech in 1998, or you’re a little bit older and were a witness to the Cavaliers’ first-ever bowl win — the 1984 Peach Bowl against Purdue — then let me know at amp9f@virginia.edu or write a letter to the editor. I’d love to hear about your experiences.
Well, that’s my Top 10 list of the best Virginia games I’ve seen live. Hopefully at least one during the upcoming season will make the list. A win against a particular team Nov. 28 would most certainly compete for the top spot. I’m crossing my fingers now.