CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mission accomplished. Last season, UVA was satisfied with making a bowl game for the first time since 2011. This year, the Cavaliers expected to win, and did, with a 28-0 win over South Carolina in the Belk Bowl.
The win also gives the Wahoos their first eight-win season since 2011. The bowl win is the first for the program since 2005.
UVA jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when Bryce Perkins connected with Olamide Zaccheaus on a six-yard toss. Zaccheaus finished with 100 receiving yards and three touchdown catches in his final game as a Cavalier.
“Our players embraced a really fierce work ethic under the premise that this is the best Christmas gift I can give them,” said UVA head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “With hard work you would have a chance to make these memories.”
Bryce Perkins threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Ellis led UVA on the ground with 106 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.