First, Virginia football lost star quarterback Chandler Morris in a scary fashion. Now, they’ll likely lose their top ranking in the Atlantic Coast Conference after falling to Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons, who endured 4-8 campaigns the last two seasons, shocked No. 12 UVA with a 16-9 victory in Charlottesville.
Saturday’s win marked the first signature victory for Jake Dickert as Wake Forest head coach. Dickert, who came over from Washington State, has quickly made an impact with the Demon Deacons. Meanwhile, Virginia left its fans in shambles after taking this disappointing loss.
NBC Sports college football analyst Nicole Auerbach captured the moment by posting a side-by-side fan reaction highlighting the contrasting emotions. Wake Forest, on the other hand, trolled their ACC rival with a post stating, “what’s done in the dark will be brought to the light,” celebrating the hard-fought win.
With this victory, Wake Forest is now heading to a bowl game in Dickert’s first season as head coach. He is the first Wake Forest coach since Jim Grobe in 2001 to win six games during his inaugural campaign.
The loss for UVA sparked numerous reactions across the college football community. A Michigan fan pointed out the broader implications on the College Football Playoff, noting that “Louisville and Virginia losing definitely helps Michigan’s chances in the CFP,” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another fan account expressed skepticism about Virginia’s pursuit of the College Football Playoff, suggesting that their hopes are now “up in smoke.” With this defeat, Virginia missed the chance to distance itself in the ACC race and instead has inadvertently helped teams like Miami, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, and even SMU in the battle for the conference title game.
Brett McMurphy of On3/Rivals provided additional clarity on the ACC race following UVA’s defeat, highlighting how pivotal this result could be as the season progresses.
On the field, Daniel Kaelin stepped in for the injured Chandler Morris and completed 18-of-28 passes for 145 yards. Running back J’Mari Taylor contributed 19 carries for 98 yards on the ground, while Trell Harris led the Cavaliers with six catches for 60 yards. Despite these efforts, UVA was unable to cross the end zone against one of the ACC’s best defensive units, ranked fifth overall.
The upset victory by Wake Forest not only boosts their momentum but also reshapes the landscape of the ACC heading into the final stretch of the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as both teams seek to finish strong.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/virginia-football-news-fans-left-in-awe-after-shocking-loss-to-wake-forest
