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'Noles kicked out of C-ville

If there were any doubts about Connor Hughes' kicking ability after last year's slight struggles, those worries are all but gone following Hughes' top-notch performance this season, highlighted in Saturday's 26-21 upset victory over the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles.

The senior place-kicker was 4-4 Saturday night -- all kicks were over 35 yards -- and had another 49-yarder waived off after a false start penalty.

"Connor made two very long kicks for us," Virginia coach Al Groh said in reference to Hughes' two plus-45 yarders. "He's on a pretty good streak right now."

Hughes has hit 10 straight field goals, is 13 of 15 (86.7 percent) on the season and has connected on all 19 of his extra points. He appears to have returned to his amazing form of 2003 when he hit all 40 of his extra points, made 23 of 25 field goals and was second-team All-ACC and a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top kicker.

"It seems he's found his zone, which you always hope as a kicker to find," said punter Chris Gould, who also added a strong performance in an all-around solid kicking game Saturday.

Saturday's four-field goal performance was Hughes' second of the season. He also put four through the uprights in Virginia's loss at Maryland two weeks ago. Against Florida State, Hughes appeared to have added a 49-yard field goal before Brandon Albert's five-yard false start penalty forced a re-kick. The kick would have been a 54- or 55-yarder and, with just over two minutes to go in the first half and Virginia nursing a three-point advantage, Groh opted for the punt.

"I wanted to kick it -- I wanted that one," Hughes said. "I think they knew I could make it. At that time, it was the right call for field position."

Virginia ended up downing the ball on the ensuing punt and intercepting the next play from scrimmage. The 2005 Groza Award candidate would get his chances, as he was good from 35 yards on the following drive and 45 yards on the Cavaliers' opening second half possession.

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