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Has UVA Football turned into a running team?

Virginia racked up 233 yards on the ground against GT and may have found a key to future success this season.

Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Cavaliers flipped the script in their victory of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday by outrushing the Rambling Wreck. UVA came into the game only averaging 125 yards on the ground per game, compared to GT's 283, which was 8th best in the country. The Hoos ran for 233 compared to the Yellow Jackets 144, outgaining them for only the second time in 11 games. The following stats suggest that the Cavaliers may be shifting their strategy and finding more success:

  • The 233 rushing yards were Virginia's highest in 15 games, the most since UVA put up 254 yards against Kent State early last season.
  • It was the Cavaliers second game in a row that they gained more yards on the ground than though the air. The last time the Hoos accomplished that was back in the 2004 season, when running QB Marques Hagans lead the Virginia offense.
  • UVA has rushed for at least 150 yards in the last three games, going 2-1. The last time they had a three game stretch like was last year, when they also went 2-1. In 2011, the Cavaliers had 150 or more rushing yards in nine games and went 7-2 in those games.
  • Virginia attempted 14 more runs than passes for the first time since the Miami win last season. In fact, the last seven times the Hoos attempted 14 or more runs than passes they've won, including three wins against the Hurricanes. I wonder who UVA's next opponent it? You guessed it, Miami.

Hopefully Virginia can keep up the ground attack against the Hurricanes and pick up another win.