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The Virginia Cavaliers' disappointing season continued with a home defeat to the Duke Blue Devils on Friday night in an ACC Championship rematch. It marked the Cavaliers' first home loss of the year, and despite having multiple opportunities to secure a win, they failed to make crucial plays when it mattered most.
With the loss, Tony Elliott's squad is running out of time to qualify for the postseason, and the team will need a significant improvement in performance over the final stretch, starting with a challenging road game against Wake Forest.
Pro Football Focus has released its grades and snap counts for the Cavaliers' performance against Duke, providing insight into which players stood out and which areas need work.
Offensive Grades
Tight end John Rogers earned the highest offensive grade at 77.1 over 40 snaps, followed by right tackle Monroe Mills (73.5, 80 snaps) and right tackle Makilian Thomas (67.6, 80 snaps). Running back Jekail Middlebrook posted a 65.4 grade on 65 snaps and continues to establish himself as the clear leader in the backfield. However, the offensive line struggled as a unit, and quarterback Beau Pribula had another rough outing with a 62.2 grade, failing to find a reliable target among the wide receivers.
Defensive Grades
Linebacker Kam Robinson delivered an impressive 87.2 grade over 51 snaps, flying around the field and making plays. His performance was a bright spot for the defense, and he will be counted on heavily against Wake Forest. Matthew Fobbs-White (77.9, 30 snaps) and Maddox Marcellus (75.0, 36 snaps) also graded well. However, the secondary had its struggles, particularly cornerback Donovan Platt, who received a 38.7 grade on just two snaps.
Key Analysis
The Cavaliers' offense remains a work in progress, with the line failing to protect the quarterback and receivers unable to create separation. Middlebrook's efforts aside, the skill positions lack consistency. Defensively, Robinson's return to form is encouraging, but the unit as a whole must tighten up to contain a Wake Forest offense that has been performing well. Virginia will need a complete team effort to pull off an upset next Saturday.