Virginia plows ahead

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Facing the first real test to its dominance this season, Virginia showed Clemson — and the nation — that its numbers haven’t just been built against inferior competition.

Running the ball with apparent ease in the second half, 10th-ranked Virginia received 104 yards and two touchdowns from Alvin Pearman and shut down the Tigers after their opening drive to convincingly win 30-10 on Thursday night.

Pearman, who replaced Wali Lundy at tailback in the third quarter, scored on a 2-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 23-10, then clinched it with another 2-yarder with 5 minutes, 14 seconds remaining.

“Whatever Coach needs me to do, I’m willing to do so,” said the Pearman, a senior who also returns punts and plays wide receiver. “Today I just happened to be carrying the rock a little more and I’ll take that.”

Virginia (5-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), ranked higher than at any point since it was No. 7 in 1998, has won eight consecutive games and has nine days to prepare for its sternest test — at No. 8 Florida State.

Virginia certainly looked ready after starting slowly against the Tigers.

Clemson (1-4, 1-3) drove 80 yards in six plays on its opening drive, Duane Coleman capping the march with a 5-yard TD reception.

Clemson managed just seven first downs and 131 yards thereafter.

“When you drive it down like that in pretty convincing style, you’re expecting you can do it again,” quarterback Charlie Whitehurst said. “We didn’t.”

Connor Hughes had field goals of 21, 43 and 50 yards for Virginia and the Cavaliers gained 239 yards on the ground, 225 through the air.

So. Miss. 35, Houston 29 (OT)

Backup quarterback Damion Carter threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Otho Graves in overtime, giving the Golden Eagles (4-0, 3-0 CUSA) a victory over the Cougars (1-5, 1-3) at Hattiesburg, Miss.

The Golden Eagles, who blew a 14-point lead and trailed for most of the second half, forced overtime on starting quarterback Dustin Almond’s 18-yard touchdown run with 1:22 remaining and Anthony Harris’ game-tying 2-point conversion run.

Almond injured his left leg on the TD run, forcing sophomore Carter — who had attempted only two passes all season — into the game.