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Five takeaways from UVA football’s 51-7 loss at No. 14 Wake Forest

Virginia’s 51-7 loss at Wake Forest on Saturday marked the Cavaliers’ largest defeat under head coach Tony Elliott, extending their losing streak to three games and dropping them to 4-5 overall. The game was a statement win for the Demon Deacons, who entered as 12.5-point favorites and dominated from the start, scoring on nine straight possessions to build a 44-0 lead by the end of the third quarter.

Virginia’s offense struggled without key contributors, including leading rusher Jekail Middlebrook and running back Noah Vaughn, while injuries piled up with Rico Flores Jr. out for the season and multiple defensive backs still sidelined.

Wake Forest’s physicality and efficient offense, led by quarterback Gio Lopez, overwhelmed Virginia’s defense, which managed just one touchdown in the loss—a late third-quarter play to Da’Shawn Martin. The margin of defeat, 44 points, is the biggest in Elliott’s tenure, underscoring the growing gap between Virginia and the ACC’s upper tier.

With a bye week ahead, the Cavaliers now face a tough stretch against California, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech, further tests for a program still recovering from roster disruptions and a shrinking NIL budget.

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