Virginia Pulls Off Massive Upset of No. 10 North Carolina in Wild Finish

The Cavaliers achieved multiple program milestones in their surprising victory.

Never before in its long football history had Virginia beaten a top 10 team on the road.

The Cavaliers’ solid post-World War II teams couldn’t do it, nor could George Welsh’s consistent winners, nor could Bronco Mendenhall’s late-2010s outfits.

It was coach Tony Elliott’s 1–5 squad that shocked No. 10 North Carolina 31–27 Saturday evening to knock the Tar Heels from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Virginia captured the victory in thrilling fashion, taking the lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 8:51 to go and withstanding several twists and turns in the final moments. Cavaliers linebacker James Jackson's diving interception with 26 seconds left killed North Carolina's final threat.

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— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) October 22, 2023

The Tar Heels got the ball back minutes after Virginia appeared to blow a golden opportunity to ice the game. With 4:50 left and Virginia on North Carolina's eight-yard line, running back Mike Hollins fumbled the ball out of the end zone for a touchback.

The Cavaliers sweated out a Tar Heels possession that ended on downs, punted on their next series, and finally closed out North Carolina with Jackson's pick.

It marked Virginia's first ACC win since three of its players were killed and another injured in a shooting on Nov. 13, 2022.