No. 17 Virginia tops Virginia Tech 27-7 to clinch a spot in ACC title game

By Canadian Press on November 29, 2025.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — J’Mari Taylor became the first Atlantic Coast Conference running back since 2021 to run for a touchdown and throw for a score in the same game as No. 17 Virginia beat Virginia Tech 27-7 on Saturday night to clinch a spot in the conference championship game.

Taylor ran for 80 yards and a score and quarterback Chandler Morris threw for 182 yards and ran 8 yards for a touchdown as the Cavaliers beat the Hokies for just the second time in the last 21 meetings between the schools.

Virginia (10-2, 7-1 ACC) turned an interception off a deflected pass on Tech’s first possession into a touchdown and never looked back.

The Cavaliers’ defense held Tech to a season-low 197 total yards in front of 58,832, the largest crowd at Scott Stadium since 2011.

Virginia linebacker Maddox Marcellus, playing in place of injured star Kam Robinson, had nine tackles, an interception and was in on a sack.

The Hokies (3-9, 2-6) got a 57-yard touchdown pass from Kyron Drones to Shamarius Peterkin with 4:20 left to play to get on the scoreboard.

The takeaway

Virginia Tech: An inspired defensive effort by the Hokies could not overcome its one-dimensional offense. Without the semblance of a passing game, the Hokies had seven straight three-and-outs at one point.

Virginia: The Cavaliers’ remarkable turnaround season will continue with an ACC title game appearance. For the second straight game, UVA played complimentary football, getting contributions in all three phases.

Up next

Virginia Tech: The Hokies worst season since 1987 is officially in the books and the James Franklin era in Blacksburg can begin.

Virginia: The Cavaliers advance to the ACC championship game next Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Mike Barber, The Associated Press