My colleagues and I at HoosPlace.com are kicking off our 2021 football season preview series later this week. Virginia is heading into its sixth season under coach Bronco Mendenhall this fall. So we thought it would be a good time to take a look back at his first five years and pick the top five victories the Wahoos have recorded during that period. This was not an easy task. What constitutes a “top win”? Does it have to include an action-packed game with a thrilling finish? An upset? A bowl berth-clinching win? A bowl victory? A statement game? Do you look at each victory in the context of what it meant for a season, or do you look at them in a vacuum?
I think there is only one no-brainer on the list; the rest are up for debate. So we put it to a vote — the panelists were myself, StLouHoo, Karl, Val, and Robert — to come up with the HP top five. There were no real rules to follow. Just rank your top five wins. I then awarded 5 points for first-place votes, 4 points for second-place votes, 3 points for third-place votes, and so forth, and then added them up to come up with the top five. And wouldn’t you know it — we ended up with a three-way tie for the fifth spot.
Without further ado, here are the top five victories — which ends up being seven games — of Mendenhall’s first five seasons, with details, commentary, and video highlights along the way. At the end, see how each voter ranked the games and check out our thoughts on a top … loss. Note: Click on the game date and location to see a recap of the game and on the score to see the box score on ESPN.com.
No. 5 (tie): Nov. 4, 2017, in Charlottesville
Virginia 40, Georgia Tech 36
Poll points: 4 Number of voters who put game on list: 2 out of 5 Highest ranking: 4th
Following a rough 2016 inaugural campaign for Mendenhall, bowl eligibility did not come easily in Year 2. After getting to 5-1, the ‘Hoos were promptly drilled by Boston College and Pittsburgh by a combined score of 72-24. Three tough games closed the season: at Louisville, led by Lamar Jackson, at undefeated Miami, and nemesis Virginia Tech at home. That meant coach Paul Johnson’s Georgia Tech squad coming to rainy Charlottesville with a 4-3 record represented Virginia’s best chance to attain that elusive sixth win. Somehow, UVa overcame a plethora of dropped passes, a number of big plays by the Yellow Jackets, and a pick-6 to win this roller-coaster of a game. It took two early third-quarter plays for Tech to extend its lead from 14-13 to 28-13. But UVa fought back. Kurt Benkert finished with 260 yards passing and three TDs, two of which went to Andre Levrone, including the game-winner from 27 yards out with 1:22 left. Chris Peace had two sacks, and it was Peace who chased Tech QB TaQuon Marshall relentlessly on the Jackets’ final play, forcing an incompletion. After the play, Peace laid on the ground — exhausted but joyful. The Cavaliers had done it, reaching bowl eligibility for the first time since 2011.
Karl: No. 4 on my list. The back-and-forth nature of this game and the fact that it was so important for Bronco to get to a bowl that second year — that’s what put this one my list.
Hooamp: Not on my list, but definitely a big win. I knew I wanted to select another 2017 game in addition to Boise State, and I just happened to take the win over UNC instead, which snapped our seven-game losing streak to the Heels. But looking back, each victory in 2017 was huge to get to a bowl, and sure enough, this was the last best chance to get that sixth win because the Wahoos ended up losing those final three games, plus the disaster against Navy in the Military Bowl. Perhaps 2018 still ends up being a solid year if the 2017 team had finished 5-7, but I still think it was a good lift for the psyche of the players and the fan base to get to a bowl, even if the ‘Hoos kind of sputtered over the finish line.
No. 5 (tie): Sept. 14, 2019, in Charlottesville
No. 25 Virginia 31, Florida State 24
Poll points: 4 Number of voters who put game on list: 2/5 Highest ranking: 3rd
Electricity was in the air at Scott Stadium for this early-season matchup between the Cavaliers and the Seminoles, who entered at 1-1, having blown a big lead and lost to Boise State in their opener while needing overtime to edge Louisiana-Monroe in their second game. Despite that shaky start and FSU’s 5-7 record in 2018, the ‘Noles still brought brand-name recognition into this matchup, and they were expected to be better in coach Willie Taggart’s second season. The game was back and forth, but most of the fireworks occurred in the fourth quarter. Virginia was down 17-10 to begin the final frame but marched down the field for two TDs, the second of which made it 24-23. Then, Brian Delaney, who had made a career-long 49-yard field goal in the first quarter, missed the extra point. FSU remained up, 24-23, with 6:02 remaining. I remember the stunned silence of the crowd. But the defense got the stop it needed, and the offense went right back to work. Taulapapa scored his third TD with 2:34 left to put the ‘Hoos ahead 30-24. And then Bryce Perkins put on a scrambling clinic to convert the 2-point conversion. It wasn’t easy, but UVa weathered the storm on the final drive to hold on. Near midfield, the game was believed to be over for a second after an incomplete pass on fourth down, but Jordan Mack was penalized for a ticky-tack hit on QB James Blackman after he passed the ball, which extended the drive. The final hurry-up play by the ‘Noles lasted a harrowing 4 seconds, but Bryce Hall and De’Vante Cross teamed up to take down Cam Akers on the 4-yard line after the ball was snapped directly to him and he took off around the right edge. Perkins finished with 341 total yards.
Val: This is No. 3 on my list. The ending had shades of the 1995 game when we stopped Warrick Dunn at the goal line and became the first ACC team to defeat FSU. That one (1995) was special to me because I actually was there.
StLouHoo: No. 5 on my list. Rushing the field, in hindsight, was overkill, but it showed how meaningful this win was for fans and players alike.
Robert: Not on my list, BUT it was probably the most fun I’ve had at a game in a while (besides Virginia Tech 2019).
Hooamp: Not on my list either, but I agree. I was there, and it was awesome. Night game. Virginia had reached No. 25 in the poll. FSU did not end up being that good, but there’s still that extra something when playing the Seminoles and you see that chop start. Reached almost 60,000 at Scott for the first time in a long time, and it felt like we were BACK, baby. It was odd to be shoulder to shoulder with people outside the student section. And the unbelievable finish to top it off.
No. 5 (tie): Aug. 31, 2019, in Pittsburgh
Virginia 30, Pittsburgh 14
Poll points: 4 Number of voters who put game on list: 2/5 Highest ranking: 3rd
Virginia entered Heinz Field as the Coastal Division favorite, an unfamiliar position for the program to be in. Would the ‘Hoos be able to prove they belonged at the top of the division on the road playing a team that had their number recently? The answer was a resounding yes. But even though the final margin was comfortable, UVa did find itself down 14-13 at the half despite leading for the majority of the first 30 minutes. On third-and-long on Virginia’s opening second-half drive, Perkins made one of his patented Houdini-like escapes out of the pocket for a big gain to set up a Delaney field goal, and the ‘Hoos never trailed after that. Matt Gahm came up with a big pick on the ensuing Pitt drive, and then Perkins hit Hasise Dubois for a TD. UVa’s defense collected four sacks, two coming from Joey Blount, who also had an INT. Any UVa fan will tell you how often the team has struggled on the road. For that group to go to Pittsburgh and pretty much whip up on the Panthers (who weren’t terrible at all, finishing with eight wins) signaled that these Wahoos were different. This victory foreshadowed the type of season that was to come.
Karl: This game snuck onto my list at No. 5. The team showed a lot of toughness in this one which, to me, had been an issue against Pitt going back to the Mike London era.
Hooamp: I agree. This was a significant statement win to open the season for the ‘Hoos. I have this game all the way up at No. 3 on my list. This wasn’t the most exciting victory of the 2019 campaign, but I think it was really important to get off to a good start, and the ‘Hoos really set the tone for the season. To see them just go in there and take care of business was impressive, and frankly, out of character.
No. 4: Nov. 2, 2019, in Chapel Hill
Virginia 38, North Carolina 31
Poll points: 6 Number of voters who put game on list: 2/5 Highest ranking: 2nd
This was a turning-point type of win in what ended up being Virginia’s only Coastal Division-crown-capturing season so far. Entering Kenan Stadium, UVa was 3-2 in the ACC and had lost three of four games overall. A loss to UNC could’ve sent the season into a tailspin. The defense was struggling with the loss of Bryce Hall in the secondary. But in this game, the other Bryce outgunned Tar Heels freshman phenom QB Sam Howell and carried the Cavaliers on his back. Perkins set the single-game UVa record with 490 total yards, including a 30-for-39, three-TD performance through the air. Virginia was down 17-10 but took the lead with a 21-0 run spanning portions of the second and third quarters. Perkins put the ‘Hoos ahead for good with a magical 65-yard TD run early in the third as he sublimely picked his way through a number of defenders before speeding down the sideline. Terrell Jana snagged 13 catches, tied for the second most in a game in school history.
StLouHoo: No. 4 on my list. Bryce leveled up to Superman in this game.
Hooamp: I put this No. 2 on my list. Virtually every victory seemed big during a year in which Virginia won the Coastal Crown. Each one was necessary. This one stood out to me for Perkins’ superlative performance and because the ‘Hoos kept a winning streak going (three in a row) against a rival on the road in a thrilling night game.
No. 3: Dec. 29, 2018, in Charlotte, Belk Bowl
Virginia 28, South Carolina 0
Poll points: 14 Number of voters who put game on list: 4/5 Highest ranking: 2nd
The Gamecocks entered this game at 7-5 — the same record as Virginia — but for some reason, in the days leading up to the game, tight end Kiel Pollard uttered this now-infamous line — “You’re supposed to beat up on smaller opponents” — and the Gamecocks left with a bruised ego and a shutout loss as the ACC’s Wahoos embarrassed South Carolina of the SEC, which no doubt sometimes probably pretends as if the ‘Cocks do not exist. This was the second bowl game of the Mendenhall era, and it went a lot better than the first one. This was just a really fun victory for the program, another moment that made it feel like the program was “back” — relatively speaking, of course. Several Cavaliers had standout performances in their swan songs, led by Olamide Zaccheaus, who grabbed 12 catches for 100 yards and all three of Perkins’ passing TDs. Jordan Ellis rushed for 106 yards and a score. Juan Thornhill and Tim Harris each came up with a pick. Peace had 1.5 sacks. Perkins, a junior that year, passed for 208 yards and ran for 82.
StLouHoo: Boise (the next game) and South Carolina, those were just hella feel-good wins over established programs on national TV on the road/neutral site.
Karl: Yeah, shutting out a team from the SEC gives this extra juice due to the perception.
Hooamp: I was at this game, and it was super fun. I did not have it in my top five, though, just because I don’t know if I viewed it as “significant” as some of the others on this list as far as where it took us. A loss would not have damaged the program. You could probably argue it gave us good momentum going into 2019, but that may be a stretch. That’s not to say it wasn’t great — it was — just that, when picking this list, I had to cut some good wins — we all had to. By the way — Pollard? He didn’t have any catches in this game and only had 15 all year. Why was he trash talking?
No. 2: Sept. 22, 2017, in Boise
Virginia 42, Boise State 23
Poll points: 15 Number of voters who put game on list: 5/5 Highest ranking: 1st
I don’t think ANYONE saw this coming. In 2016, Virginia won all of two games, and Boise had absolutely BLASTED the Cavaliers in Charlottesville in 2015 by 42 points. Sure, UVa got off to a 2-1 start in 2017, but the wins came against William & Mary and a really bad Connecticut team. According to the recap on ESPN.com, the Broncos were 14-point favorites. I think most UVa fans would’ve been reasonably happy covering the spread. It was tied at 7-7 after the first quarter, and Virginia took a modest 21-14 edge into halftime. But after that, the ‘Hoos dominated, scoring 21 straight points to put the game away. Boise State scored 9 points late in the game to make the final score more palatable. It was the Broncos’ worst home loss since 2001. Benkert went off, showing off his strong arm on a number of throws, probably highlighted most on a 64-yard TD to Andre Levrone to start the second-half scoring. Benkert finished with 273 yards and three TDs. Levrone had five receptions for 141 yards and two TDs. Zaccheaus had a 56-yard TD scamper. Ellis tallied 93 yards rushing and two TDs.
Val: I actually have this all the way at the top of my list. After the disaster that was 2016, this win shocked me.
Karl: This win established some badly needed credibility for Bronco with UVa fans. The sheer dominance and unexpected nature of the victory against a big-name opponent on national TV on the road makes this win hold up strongly.
Hooamp: I will never forget that Benkert-to-Levrone bomb. One of the best throws I think I’ve seen on any level. Period.
No. 1: Nov. 29, 2019, in Charlottesville
Virginia 39, No. 24 Virginia Tech 30
Poll points: 24 Number of voters who put game on list: 5/5 Highest ranking: 1st
It’s no shock that this one stands as the top win thus far of the Mendenhall era. It had it all: Coastal Division title? Clinched. Losing streak to the hated rival? Snapped. Outstanding performances? You bet. Thrilling finish? You damn right. I still get goosebumps watching Mandy Alonso take down Hendon Hooker in the end zone and seeing grizzled veteran Eli Hanback come up with the game-sealing TD off the fumble as the crowd roars at full throat. Perkins racked up 475 total yards, second only to his 490 at UNC in school history. He got UVa out to a 13-3 lead with a pair of long TD runs in the first half, both of which came on third down. Tech battled back to take the lead twice (20-13 and 27-20) before numerous ‘Hoos made big plays down the stretch: Dubois had 139 yards receiving, including a 67-yard reception that included a monster stiff arm, Billy Kemp collected his lone receiving TD of the year, Noah Taylor snagged an interception to set up the winning sequence of plays, Delaney came through with one of the most clutch field goals in school history (from 48 yards away after shanking his first extra point of the day), and the aforementioned strip sack and TD in the end zone by Alonso and Hanback. UVa took Hooker down to the ground six times.
Karl: No explanation necessary.
Hooamp: Epic. With what this victory meant and the way it happened and what was on the line, it’s gonna be hard to top. We will be a lucky fan base if that happens.
How each pollster voted
StLouHoo: VT, SC, Boise St., UNC 2019, FSU
Val: Boise St., VT, FSU, SC, N/A
Karl: VT, SC, Boise St., GT 2017, Pitt
Robert: VT, SC, Boise St., GT 2017, Miami
Hooamp: VT, UNC 2019, Pitt, UNC 2017, Boise St.
On the outside looking in: UNC 2017 (2 pts), Miami 2018 (1 pt)
Other thoughts, and what about the Orange Bowl?
Robert: So my top four is the same as Karl’s, but I subbed in the Miami 2018 game at No. 5. That Miami game was Bronco’s first ranked win, and for me, at least, that was the game where I started to really have confidence that the team was on the right trajectory. The 2019 FSU game was probably more fun, but I think the Miami win was more meaningful.
Karl: I liked the Pitt game better than Miami because we had some hype going into the season, and it was a nice barometer on whether or not we were pretenders.
Robert: Also, I know we’re doing wins, but we really did play well in the Orange Bowl. Given what we had in the secondary, that to me is one of the more impressive performances from a UVa team in my memory.
StLouHoo: Robert, glad you mentioned the Orange Bowl. When I first thought about this premise, even though we lost, the Florida game came to mind. We showed out, even in a loss, and were competitive on the biggest stage.
Karl: Florida was clearly the better team that night, but you always felt that we had a shot to steal the game if we could get one or two breaks. It was probably the most fun loss I can recall.
Hooamp: Definitely a worthy shout-out for the Orange Bowl effort. The ‘Hoos had nothing to lose and played like it. That also made it fun for the fans even in defeat. Thanks everyone for your input!
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