ACC Championship Aftermath: Nuggets From a Night That Almost Was
In our latest article, we break down the ACC Championship loss to Duke — from the overtime trick-play controversy to the backbreaking roughing-the-passer penalty that flipped the entire extra period. We dive into the offensive struggles, the defensive head-scratchers, and the never-ending debate over whether UVA should’ve gone for two to win it in regulation. But this isn’t just about what went wrong. It’s about what this season meant. Ten wins. A trip to Charlotte. A program proving it belongs on the national stage — even if it let a golden opportunity slip away. It wasn’t the ending we wanted — but it was a season we’ll remember.
Jay Ballard
12/8/20253 min read
Overtime Again — But Not the Ending We Wanted
A season where UVA went 3–0 in overtime fittingly saw the ACC Championship end the same way — Duke 27, Virginia 20. The extra period felt familiar, but the result definitely didn’t.
The Trick Play Call vs. the Throw
The trick play in OT is catching all the heat, but the call itself wasn’t the problem. The decision to actually throw the ball was. If you’re going to draw something up like that, you need flawless execution. Instead, it became the turning point everyone remembers.
The Most Costly Penalty of the Season
The roughing-the-quarterback flag on Duke’s 4th-down touchdown pass in OT was brutal. Instead of starting at the 25, UVA opened its possession at the 40 — a massive difference in sudden-death football. That sequence perfectly summed up the night: close, competitive, but costly mistakes at the worst moments.
Kitchings Didn’t Have His Best Night
The second half was better, but the offense never felt threatening. No chunk plays, no rhythm, nothing easy. Against a Duke defense that isn’t elite, everything felt too hard. Championship offenses need explosives — UVA had none.
Defensive Effort: Solid, But One Question Mark
The defense was good, not great. But in OT, letting Duke run it all the way down to the 1 before truly committing to stop the run was puzzling. Momentum matters in overtime, and Duke had all of it.
The Great Debate: Kick for OT or Go for 2?
When UVA tied the game late, I wanted to go for two and steal it. Jeff said kick it and play for overtime. The fan base felt split right down the middle. No wrong answer — just two different instincts. But either way, it doesn’t erase the season these guys gave us.
An Unforgettable Season AND a Missed Opportunity
This team won 10 games, reached Charlotte, and proved just about everyone wrong. But it was also a once-in-a-generation chance to win the ACC outright as the favorite against a team we had dominated. It’s okay to acknowledge the disappointment while also appreciating how incredible the year was.
QB Room: Next Big Decision
Current QB Chandler Morris hinted on social media that his extra year doesn’t look likely, meaning the Gator Bowl might be his last game. Then comes the offseason question: who starts in 2025? Kaelin? A first-year? An incoming freshman? Or a proven transfer like ODU’s Colton Joseph? This decision shapes everything.
No Coaching Changes Coming
For anyone hoping for changes on the staff, don’t hold your breath. Tony Elliott is loyal, and you’re not firing assistants after winning 10 — maybe 11 — games. Stability won, and stability stays.
Hokies Talking Loud for a 3–9 Team
The VT trolls were out in full force. For a team that went 3–9, got blown out by its rival, and hasn’t mattered nationally in about 20 years, they sure found their voices. And the rumor of Brent Pry potentially sliding back into Blacksburg as defensive coordinator for James Franklin? Hilarious. Getting fired as head coach only to return as DC under the same players? That’s peak sad.
Hagans and Poindexter
Hopefully they stay in Happy Valley or take another stop before eventually coming home at the right time — not in the middle of someone else’s mess.
Portal > High School in Today’s Football
Portal targets should feel great about UVA. Facilities are elite, academics matter, and now the team has proof it can win big. People panicking about the high school class need to relax — we got the top Virginia guys we needed, and modern roster building runs through the portal anyway. It’s basically our minor league system now.
Gator Bowl vs. Missouri
Missouri opens as a 7-point favorite with a total of 50.5. It’s a huge opportunity to cap the season with a win over a real SEC opponent. If the players stay locked in, UVA can absolutely take it.
Playoff Thoughts: Notre Dame Edition
Notre Dame can’t be in over Miami, but they should be in over Tulane or JMU. The system needs tweaking. Honestly, let’s just go to 16 teams and make it fun.
Bottom Line
Not the ending we wanted — but absolutely a season we’ll remember. A foundation was built, a standard was raised, and UVA football took a step the whole country noticed. The loss stings, but the future is bright.