JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (News Of Austin) –
At a Glance
- Virginia defeats Missouri 13-7 in the Gator Bowl.
- Cavaliers reach 11 wins, first time in 122-year history.
- Coach Tony Elliott calls the season “special” after a tough start.
- Why it matters: The win cements Virginia’s place in college-football history and boosts team morale heading into the offseason.
Virginia’s Gator Bowl victory over Missouri not only capped a season of resilience but also marked the first time the Cavaliers have finished with 11 wins in their 122-year history. The 13-7 win came after a dramatic comeback from a 4-point underdog position and a season that began with a costly loss to Duke.
Game Highlights
Virginia’s offense was led by Harrison Waylee, who ran for a touchdown, and Chandler Morris, who threw for 198 yards. Despite missing key players, the team’s defense held Missouri to 260 total yards, forcing four punts and recording an interception.
- Waylee: 19-play, 75-yard drive, touchdown.
- Morris: 198 passing yards.
- Defense: 4 punts, 1 interception, 3 fourth-down stops.
Coach Tony Elliott said:
> “It’s been a special year,” Elliott said. “They believed when everyone around them told them not to. A lot of folks said they weren’t good enough to get to this point.”
Key Players
Waylee and Xay Davis combined for 109 yards on 32 carries, while All-American Ahmad Hardy ran 15 times for 89 yards, breaking Missouri’s single-season record. Missouri quarterback Matt Zollers completed 12 of 22 passes for 101 yards and an interception.
- Waylee & Davis: 109 total rushing yards.
- Hardy: 89 yards, record.
- Zollers: 101 yards, 12 completions, 1 interception.
Chandler Morris said:
> “That was a huge drive in the game,” Morris said. “To be able to go out there and really take over the line of scrimmage and punch it in the end zone, putting seven points on the board was really big.”
Impact and Takeaways
Virginia’s 11-win season is a historic milestone, while Missouri fails to secure a nine-win campaign for the third straight year. The loss also highlights injuries that left the Cavaliers missing key players like J’Mari Taylor and Trell Harris.
- First 11-win season in 122 years.
- Missouri misses a nine-win season for third consecutive year.
- Virginia missed Taylor, Harris, Robinson, and Marcellus due to injuries.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz said:
> “I thought he did some really good things,” coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “A lot to build on. Obviously a lot of growth. Everybody’s got to grow and learn from the reps.”
Key Takeaways
- Virginia becomes first 11-win team in program history.
- Coach Tony Elliott praises resilience after being underdog.
- Missouri’s record streak of nine-win seasons is broken.
With the Gator Bowl win, Virginia’s program gains historic momentum, while Missouri looks to rebuild after a disappointing season.
