Recap and highlights: No. 18 Virginia storms back in fourth to beat Washington State
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The noise sounded like a jet engine, loud enough to damage your hearing, loud enough to throw an entire game off its hinges. Whatever the decibel reading at Scott Stadium was, it was loud enough to bother AJ Vaipulu, the Washington State right guard who couldn’t focus for the life of him.
With a colossal upset hanging in the balance, the type that could define this WSU season and launch this team to heights it was never expected to reach, Vaipulu cost his group. Late in Saturday’s fourth quarter, Vaipulu committed three straight penalties, handing No. 18 Virginia the keys to the turning tide: False start. False start. Holding.
Scott Stadium sounded like a spaceship launching.
The Cougars, up just one score, needed to move down the field to hang on. Instead, they blew a 10-point lead because they collapsed in the second half of a 22-20 defeat to the Cavaliers, who took the lead with a safety in the final moments. Leading by 10 for much of the game, WSU collapsed when it mattered most, allowing Virginia to end the game on a 12-0 flourish for the win.
If it’s fair to call this a meltdown — Virginia was favored to win by three scores — WSU turned in an epic one. The Cougars looked excellent early on, taking a two-score lead. Their rushing offense looked the most energized it ever had. Zevi Eckhaus looked magical at quarterback. WSU’s defense made Virginia’s offense look lifeless.
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How things change. The Cavaliers drew within a touchdown in the opening minutes of the third quarter, only for the Cougars to push their lead back to 10 with a field goal from Jack Stevens. But that’s when things went south for WSU, which surrendered a short rushing touchdown to Virginia running back Harrison Waylee, who shaved seven points off the Cougars’ lead.
After that, Virginia turned one of Eckhaus’ two interceptions on the night into a field goal, knotting things at 20-all. Then, disaster struck for the Cougars, who couldn’t move out of the shadow of their own goalposts. Penalties. Short gains. Then the safety, which came when WSU running back Kirby Vorhees was tackled in his own end zone.
It’s a massive disappointment for the Cougs, who came close to upsetting top-five Ole Miss last weekend. They looked capable of finishing the job against Virginia, which entered 5-1. But WSU’s offense looked incapable in the second half.
WSU drew first blood in the first quarter. Eckhaus dropped back and tossed what looked like a risky pass, throwing into double coverage to target senior receiver Josh Meredith, who hung on in the end zone. With that 32-yard touchdown completion, the Cougars took a 7-0 lead on their first drive, an excellent series.
Later in the second quarter, the Cougs opened up a 10-point lead on a field goal from Stevens. That was made possible by their defense, which looked excellent early on. That trend didn’t keep up.
First quarter
3:23 - WSU 7, UVA 7: Virginia stopped on fourth and 1. WSU will start at its 32.
4:37 - WSU 7, UVA 7: Eckhaus is intercepted on the first play of the ensuing drive by Donavon Platt. Virginia will start at WSU’s 40.
4:48 - WSU 7, UVA 7: Cam Ross finds space down the sideline and scores a 19-yard rushing touchdown.
8:52 - WSU 7, UVA 0: Cougars force a three-and-out and take over at their 15 with a chance to add to their lead.
9:47 - WSU 7, UVA 0: Zevi Eckhaus floats a ball into the end zone that is pulled down by Joshua Meredith between two Virginia defenders for a 32-yard touchdown.
The Cougars marched 78 yards in seven plays. Eckhaus completed five passes for 71 yards on the drive.
Second quarter
0:35 - WSU 17, UVA 7: Jack Stevens hits a 37-yard field goal to put WSU up by 10 points just before halftime.
6:35 - WSU 14, UVA 7: Eckhaus avoids a tackler in the backfield and scores a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
WSU’s drive moved 64 yards in eight plays.
Halftime
Washington State has set the tone in the first half against No. 18 Virginia, leading 17-7.
Eckhaus is 12 for 15 with 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Meredith has five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
The Cougars have outgained the Cavaliers 252-109.
Virginia quarterback Morris has 66 yards and a completion percentage of 53.
WSU will start the second half with the ball.
Third quarter
2:18 - WSU 20, UVA 10: Stevens makes a 42-yard field goal, pushing WSU’s lead back to 10.
8:38 - WSU 17, UVA 10: Will Bettridge makes a 47-yard field goal to draw the Cavaliers within one possession.
Fourth quarter
2:41 - UVA 22, WSU 20: Kirby Vorhees is dropped in the end zone for a safety. Virginia has its first lead of the game.
2:55 - WSU 20, UVA 20: Bettridge evens the game with a 34-yard field goal.
5:47 - WSU 20, UVA 17: Cougars force a fumble by Waylee but the ball is recovered by Virginia.
7:09 - WSU 20, UVA 17: Eckhaus is intercepted for the second time. After a long return, a penalty sets up Virginia at WSU’s 35.
9:45 - WSU 20, UVA 17: Virginia drives 97 yards in nine plays, capped by a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Harrison Waylee.
Pregame
Washington State ends its gauntlet of three consecutive road games at No. 18 Virginia.
The Cougars may be feeling more optimistic about their prospects against the Cavaliers after WSU put a scare into No. 5 Mississippi last week before losing 24-21.
Virginia may be one of the bigger surprises in college football this season. The Cavaliers have risen to No. 18 in the country, boast a four-game win streak and are undefeated in the ACC.
Series history
Washington State and Virginia have not played before Saturday.
The two programs agreed to a home-and-home series for this year and 2031 in April. The 2031 game will mark the first time WSU will host an ACC opponent at Gesa Field.
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