"Confidence is the result of demonstrated performance."
Coach Al Groh's words could not have rung truer after Virginia's 29-17 win over ACC rival Georgia Tech (6-5, 4-4 ACC).
The Cavaliers (6-5, 4-4) made countless breakthroughs in Saturday's game that redeemed the team after having dropped the last four conference contests.
The Virginia win also makes the move into bowl eligibility territory a reality, with the Cavaliers toting a 6-5 record with one regular season game left to play.
The game started impressively, as the Cavaliers scored on the opening drive when senior quarterback Matt Schaub connected with sophomore tight end Heath Miller for a 10-yard score to put an early seven on the board for Virginia. And from as early as about five minutes into the game, Virginia was able to hold onto the lead.
Miller became the ACC's all-time leader for receptions by a tight end in one season (53) after connecting six times with Schaub to log 110 yards and the touchdown.
"He's a great target, looks for routes, and he finds soft spots in the zones and he was able to get open and deliver the ball in time," Schaub said. "He definitely stepped up."
Schaub himself racked up 239 yards and completed 26 of 35 attempted passes.
"I thought that the throw that Matt made to [junior wide receiver] Ottawa Anderson on the bootleg there that set up the last throw was an incredible throw on the run, and Ottawa made a great catch," Groh said.
Before the end of the first quarter, sophomore kicker Connor Hughes made good on a 31-yard field goal attempt that would be only the first of a string of five field goals by Hughes, which coincidentally ties the Virginia record.
"I thought Connor did great for us again," Groh said. "Obviously no kicker in college football has kicked the ball better than Connor Hughes has this year. I think everything is set up for him to be the same kind of kicker for the next two years."
While he went perfect on the day for field goals, Hughes was certainly not the only "flag-carrier" that stepped up to the challenge.
Sophomore wide receiver Marques Hagans' gritty two-yard touchdown just before the end of the first half lifted Virginia to 23-7. Hagans went for 135 yards on the day besides throwing a 36-yard pass received by junior Patrick Estes.
"His speed, his athleticism, all the things he can do with the football after he touches it within his hands -- it's remarkable," Schaub said. "He plays a big part in what we're able to do as a football team."
Beyond the big plays that resulted in points, the Cavaliers made several significant defensive moves that held the swarming Yellow Jackets at bay, which included limiting Georgia Tech quarterback P.J. Daniels, who leads the conference in rushing, to only 76 yards on 18 carries.
The fans, as the 12th man, also played an essential role by showing unprecedented support and energy, which was appreciated by the team at the end of the game as Groh and the players rushed to the student section to celebrate the victory.
"They've really embraced this team, and it's apparent the team has embraced them," Groh said. "We're very appreciative and very proud of them too."
With the strong showing on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Virginia has regained its confidence and hopes to ride out this wave of momentum into the final game against Virginia Tech next Saturday at 1 p.m. and post-season play as the Cavaliers enjoy their bowl contention status.
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