Sparks earns ACC honor as Virginia turns to SMU
Virginia’s next road test arrives with a conference award for the player who repeatedly changed field position in its latest home win. Punter Daniel Sparks was named ACC Specialist of the Week Monday after averaging 52.2 yards on six punts in the Cavaliers’ 28–25 victory over Syracuse.
Virginia’s next road test arrives with a conference award for the player who repeatedly changed field position in its latest home win. Punter Daniel Sparks was named ACC Specialist of the Week Monday after averaging 52.2 yards on six punts in the Cavaliers’ 28–25 victory over Syracuse.
Three of Sparks’ punts finished inside the 20, and the longest traveled 72 yards. Virginia’s announcement places him atop the ACC with a season average of 49.9 yards and 15 punts inside the 20. He also reached the Ray Guy Award’s weekly shortlist, with the national weekly winner scheduled to be announced Tuesday.
The Cavaliers are 4–2 overall and 2–1 in conference play after erasing a 17–7 halftime deficit Saturday. They scored 21 consecutive points before holding off Syracuse’s late rally. Jekail Middlebrook rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns, and Beau Pribula’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Da’Shawn Martin helped restart the offense.
That comeback gives the SMU trip two practical areas to follow: whether Virginia can sustain offense after its opening drive, and whether its punting unit can keep setting difficult starting positions when drives stall. Sparks’ award recognizes an actual special-teams contribution; it does not resolve the broader task of putting together a steadier offensive start.
Virginia visits No. 24 SMU at noon Eastern Saturday, Oct. 17, on The CW. The Mustangs are 4–1 overall and 2–1 in the ACC, giving the Cavaliers a road matchup against another team with the same conference record. Right guard Makilan Thomas, a starter in all six Virginia games, is scheduled to join Tony Elliott’s radio show Tuesday evening as preparation continues.