Middlebrook’s fourth-quarter touchdowns lift Virginia past Syracuse

Jekail Middlebrook ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns Saturday as Virginia erased a 17–7 halftime deficit and held off Syracuse 28–25 at Scott Stadium.

The Cavaliers scored 21 consecutive points before surviving a late Orange touchdown and a final fourth-down attempt. Virginia improved to 4–2 overall and 2–1 in the ACC; Syracuse fell to 2–3 and 0–3.

Beau Pribula started the comeback with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Da’Shawn Martin in the third quarter. Middlebrook then capped a seven-play, 73-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run, putting Virginia ahead 21–17.

A reviewed fourth-down play gave the Cavaliers possession at Syracuse’s 34-yard line. Virginia turned that short field into another touchdown, with Middlebrook scoring from five yards out to extend the lead to 28–17.

Syracuse answered through backup quarterback Danny Lauter, whose 46-yard touchdown pass to Daunte Bacheyie and a two-point conversion cut the margin to three. The Orange got the ball back for one last possession but reached only their own 17-yard line.

On fourth-and-six, Lauter’s pass toward Umari Hatcher fell incomplete with Kam Robinson credited with the quarterback hurry. Virginia took possession with 17 seconds remaining and ran out the clock.

Middlebrook finished with 95 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Pribula completed 11 of 19 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, while Martin caught two passes for 48 yards.

The Orange outgained Virginia 430–288, but converted only five of 17 third downs and made one of three field-goal attempts. Tylik Hill rushed for 118 yards, and Hatcher had 126 receiving yards.

Virginia had opened the scoring on Xay Davis’ 14-yard touchdown run. Syracuse answered with Ahmad Miller’s one-yard run, a 13-yard Malachi Nelson touchdown pass to Hatcher and a 29-yard Shay Barker field goal before the Cavaliers’ second-half recovery.