The Virginia football team (3-2, 1-1 ACC) finishes its road trip this weekend when they visit Durham, N.C. to take on Duke (2-3, 0-1 ACC). Both teams won road games last week, Virginia beating Wake Forest, 38-34, and Duke defeating Navy, 43-17.
Junior quarterback Matt Schaub led Virginia's rally, throwing two touchdowns in the second half to overcome a 17-point first-half deficit.
The victory extended the Cavs' winning streak to three. The Blue Devils' win was the second of their season, which already gives them two more than all of last season. They also will look to extend their winning streak to two games Saturday in Durham at noon.
The Virginia passing game shined against Wake Forest. Schaub was effective in spreading the field, connecting with eight different receivers while taking advantage of the size mismatches between his receivers and the shorter Demon Deacon corners. Duke's corners are similar in stature, foreshadowing another dominant outing for the starting quarterback.
Duke Coach Carl Franks recognizes Virginia's advantage going in to this weekend's game.
"What's going to be tough is their ability to throw the football, something we haven't played as well as we have the run," Franks said.
With mounting injuries to their running backs, expect the Cavs to take to the air to beat Duke.
"It's not something I can dwell on, but I know there are certain spots that we could pretty quickly run out," Virginia Coach Al Groh said of the team's injury troubles. "I think one more [injured running back] and we'll feel a little thin."
He also discussed the defensive performance against Wake. Freshman outside linebacker Darryl Blackstock had what Groh called the "game-winning" sack.
Blackstock is "very talented in many areas, very quick to learn, and as diverse mentally as I think physically," Groh said.
The Blue Devils' offense pounded Navy, posting 43 points. They presented a balanced offensive attack with three rushing and three passing touchdowns.
Franks' offensive method uses a "larger percentage of three-wide receiver sets," Groh said. Virginia's young defense will have to learn to respond to this unfamiliar passing strategy.
The ACC named Duke's junior safety Terrell Smith ACC player of the week -- Smith posted 11 tackles and two fumble recoveries against Navy. He also has two picks on the season, giving the Cavs a reason to be more cautious in the passing game.
Last season the Blue Devils fell to Virginia 31-10, but they still hold the advantage in the series, leading 27-26. The Cavaliers will look to even their record this weekend at Wallace Wade Stadium.
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