Saturday’s second quarter had almost concluded — one minute and 45 seconds remained. And just like so many times the week prior, Virginia was knocking on the door of a touchdown. But unlike the preceding contest against Wake Forest, the Cavaliers (9-2, 6-1 ACC) refused to be turned away.
Graduate Virginia center Brady Wilson sat back into his pre-play position. On the right hash of Duke’s 13-yard line, Wilson and company prepared for the Cavalier third-and-five. He snapped the ball. The Blue Devils (5-5, 4-2 ACC) sent pressure, forcing Virginia’s quarterback away from the line of scrimmage — receiving the shotgun snap around the 17-yard line, the signal caller’s backpedal took him all the way to the Duke 25.
One week ago, that quarterback would have been sophomore Daniel Kaelin — today, it was graduate Chandler Morris, returning from an injury that sidelined him for much of the previous game.
“There was never a doubt in my mind that I was going to play,” Morris said. “I just had to prepare like it every single day.”
The unflappable Morris took his forced dropback with ease, delivering a 20-plus yard lob to the open graduate tight end, Sage Ennis. Touchdown. 13-3 Cavaliers. Morris gave high-fives as he returned to the sideline. Virginia was happy to have him back — especially for a contest as consequential as this one.
Saturday, the Cavaliers traveled south to Durham, N.C. for their most important road trip of the season. The matchup pit two one-loss ACC teams against each other, deeming it crucial in the conference championship race. And through the 3:30 kick, Duke was favored over its Charlottesville guests. But the 34-17 victory for Virginia was not quite the clash of mid-Atlantic titans that most expected.
That Cavalier dominance began on the offensive side of the football, and it likely had much to do with the man making his desperately-awaited — even if only for two and a half quarters — return to action.
“He went out and he ran the ball when he needed to,” Elliott said. “He checked us in and out of the plays. He extended some third downs. You saw his fire and his leadership on the sideline with his guys. So I'm just glad everybody else has seen what I've always known about him in terms of the warrior mentality that he has.”
Prior to Saturday, Virginia had gained at least 300 yards through the air just twice this season. Against Duke, Morris threw for 316. But his return did not merely coincide with superior quarterback play. The rest of the offense — similarly stifled against the Demon Deacons — returned to form, as well.
Graduate running back J’Mari Taylor’s 133 ground yards marked his second-highest all season. The newcomer headlined that performance with a 78-yard third quarter touchdown rush, delivering the possible knockout blow.
“It was huge to be able to establish the run,” Elliott said.
Also returning to the impact player list for the Cavaliers was senior receiver Trell Harris. His eight receptions marked a career high through four years of college football — though he only played in four 2024 games — as did his 161 aerial yards.
“He's making those catches over the middle with confidence,” Elliott said, “and then he’s able to put his foot in the ground and just use his natural ability. And then he runs tough. And you can move him around in different spots to be able to try and get the ball to him.”
As the season has progressed, Harris has slowly assumed the primary receiver role for an often-impactful Virginia passing game. Following a breakout performance weeks ago against Stanford, Harris once again returned to the spotlight in a dominant Cavalier victory.
“Just super happy for him, cause I know how frustrating it was for him to miss [most of last season],” Elliott said.
Rounding out Virginia’s offense is a crew of pass-protectors that did not allow a single sack throughout the Saturday affair.
“I think the offensive line kept me clean all night,” Morris said, “so I came in [the locker room] and hugged their necks once I got in there, and just just told them ‘good job’ and how much I appreciate them.”
Such a successful supporting cast allowed Morris to iron out the wrinkles that accompany playing at less-than 100 percent. His two interceptions — one of which Duke ran back for a touchdown — afforded the Blue Devils with supplemental opportunities. But even so, the Cavalier offense put up its highest point total since the Florida State thriller.
“We just got back to who we were, and Coach Elliott and [offensive coordinator Des Kitchings] really challenged us this week and really got onto us,” Morris said. “And it was great. I thought we responded well.”
It’s always challenging for a team to place so much importance on any individual, especially with the near-guarantee that some players will get hurt. Never before has a college football team entirely avoided the injury bug. Through 12 three-hour games, countless full-pad practices, and plenty of non-contact exertion, every program is bound to lose at least a few playmakers.
But one thing is for certain — the return of Chandler Morris headlined the Virginia offense’s return to form.
Luckily for Morris and company, the Cavaliers have a week off before their final regular season contest — as Elliott calls it, the “state championship.” And as Virginia prepares for another Commonwealth Clash against Virginia Tech, the program ends the weekend as one of four ACC teams with only one conference loss — thanks in part to Morris, Taylor, Harris and an offense that returned to form.
What does that offense look like when it’s clicking?
“One word,” Harris said. “Exciting.”
Xander Tilock contributed reporting.
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