Streaking The Lawn
UVa sports uncovered... from the Rotunda to Homer and back
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Virginia basketball player profile: Thijs De Ridder is ready to carry the load
Virginia’s veteran forward Thijs De Ridder, a 23‑year‑old ex‑pro from Belgium and Spain, has become the Cavaliers’ scoring engine, leading the team with 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season and earning All‑ACC first‑team honors. The league’s media named him ACC Preseason Player of the Year and the lone unanimous pick for the preseason All‑ACC team. With Virginia ranked No. 9 nationally and missing frontcourt mates Ugonna Onyenso and Devin Tillis, De Ridder faces a heavier load in his final college season as NBA scouts watch closely. His versatile game—61% at the rim, 40 made threes, and a 70.9% free‑throw rate—makes him a pivotal piece for the Cavaliers’ title push.
Five takeaways from UVA football’s last-minute 19-16 loss to Duke
Virginia fell 19-16 to Duke on Oct. 23, handing the Cavaliers their first home loss of the season and dropping them to 4-4 (2-3 ACC). Despite outgaining Duke (353‑327 yards), holding a 22‑16 first‑down edge and dominating time of possession (38:47 to 21:13), Coach Tony Elliott’s conservative play‑calling—opting for field goals in the red zone and a late‑game kick instead of aggressive scores—cost them. Duke’s quarterback Walker Eget, hurt early, returned at halftime and led a methodical comeback, capped by a double‑pass touchdown to Brody Keefe with 1:14 left. Virginia’s missed opportunities and a late interception sealed the loss, marking their first back‑to‑back defeats since 2024.
How to watch UVA football vs. Duke and GAME THREAD
Virginia hosts Duke on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 PM ET on ESPN (UVA -2.5). The rivalry’s 78th meeting sees the Cavaliers seeking revenge for last year’s ACC championship loss and aiming to extend their home‑win streak to five at Scott Stadium, where they are 10‑1 over the past two seasons. UVA leads the series 42‑34 and has won nine of the last 11 contests. The defense ranks sixth in the ACC, allowing just 19.7 points per game, while Duke averages 31.7 points. The game thread will provide live updates and analysis from Streaking the Lawn.
Previewing UVA football’s Friday night matchup versus Duke
The Virginia Cavaliers (4‑3, 2‑2) host Duke (4‑2, 1‑2) on Friday night at Scott Stadium, with both teams trying to avoid a third ACC loss before month‑end. Duke’s star running back Nate Sheppard, who has 820 rushing yards and eight TDs this season, is the primary offensive threat, while Virginia’s defense is hampered by several injuries, including safety Brandyn Hillman and WR Kam Courtney (both doubtful) and the loss of Ethan Minter and Corey Costner in the secondary. Virginia’s pass‑rush ace Matthew Fobbs‑White, who posted a team‑best four sacks last week, must generate pressure on Duke’s well‑protected QB. The ‘Hoos enter as 2.5‑point favorites for the 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.
How Virginia football can solve its off-script offensive struggles
Virginia’s once‑explosive 2026 offense stalls after its early‑game script, turning a 34‑point opening win over NC State into three consecutive losses and a slim chance at the ACC title. Quarterback transfer Beau Pribula and backs Xay Davis and Jekail Middlebrook spark fast starts, but scoring drops from 7.6 points per first quarter to under 5 points in later periods against Power‑4 foes. The article points to a failure to adapt beyond the opening drives, citing low drive‑scoring percentages after Q1 (17.7% in Q2, 28.6% in Q3, 33.3% in Q4) and the loss of key 2025 contributors like Chandler Morris. It argues that restoring flexible play‑calling and script depth is essential for the Cavaliers to revive their offense.
Former UVA star Ty Jerome erupts for career high in Memphis’ season opener
Ty Jerome erupts for a career‑high 45 points in the Memphis Grizzlies’ 123‑103 season‑opening win over the Utah Jazz on Oct. 21, 2026. The 29‑year‑old former UVA star shatters the franchise record for most points by a former Virginia player, surpassing Trey Murphy’s 44‑point mark. Jerome shoots 17‑of‑25 overall (5‑of‑10 from three), adds seven rebounds, six assists and only one turnover, and even nails a dramatic 33‑footer from the logo. The performance comes after an ankle injury ended his previous season early. Memphis next faces Golden State, where Jerome will meet a former team.
UVA basketball preseason profile: Johann Grunloh has a lot on his plate in year two
Virginia’s 2026‑27 preseason preview hinges on sophomore center Johann Grünloh, the 7‑foot German who started every game last year and posted 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks while shooting 52.3% from the floor and 35% from three. With backup Ugonna Onyenso heading to the NBA, head coach Ryan Odom expects Grünloh to step into a starring role, adding strength (he’s now 252 lb, meeting his 250‑pound goal) and confidence after fully recovering from a wrist injury that limited him in the postseason. The Cavaliers retain all eligible players, but Grünloh must improve physicality and reclaim his three‑point threat to help Virginia avenge last season’s early exit and meet lofty ACC ambitions.
How can Martin Carrere crack the Virginia basketball rotation?
Virginia’s Martin Carrere, a 6‑foot‑9, 212‑lb French forward, eyes a bigger role in his third season under Ryan Odom. After redshirting at VCU and logging 16 reserve minutes last year, Carrere’s 40% three‑point shooting in the U‑18 FIBA EuroBasket and a 4‑of‑6 showing against Richmond highlight his shooting and facilitation skills. However, concerns linger about his defense and athleticism against ACC bigs and wings, and breaking into a deep UVA rotation will be tough. He could earn minutes as a combo guard or off‑ball option, especially if starter Chance Mallory’s load is managed or injuries occur.
Virginia rowing is the fastest college crew at the Head of the Charles
Virginia’s women’s rowing crew cements its rise by finishing third in the Women’s Championship Eights at the 2026 Head of the Charles, clocking 15:02.791—the fastest time among college crews. Only USTC Princeton and USTC Boston, post‑collegiate national‑team hopefuls, beat them. Princeton, the top college rival, placed fourth at 15:06.987, 4.2 seconds slower. Virginia also outpaced Oxford, Cambridge, Leander and other elite programs, demonstrating poise despite a sub‑optimal start. The performance follows a historic fourth‑place NCAA finish and positions the Cavaliers as a strong contender for a spring national title. The men's club fours also posted solid ACRA results, finishing second among club crews.
Six takeaways from UVA football’s 23-13 loss at No. 24 SMU
Despite having already racked up two losses, Virginia walked into a game as the underdog for the first time this season. SMU opened as a 7.5-point favorite and was up to 9.5 by Friday, and after seeing Virginia’s availability report, it’s not hard to figure out why. The ‘Hoos listed 22 players as out, including […]
Previewing UVA football’s road test at SMU
In just the team’s second true road trip to this point, the Virginia Cavaliers head down to Dallas for an early-morning contest against the SMU Mustangs. The ‘Hoos enter this game coming off what was an ugly win last weekend against Syracuse, a game in which Tony Elliott and the Cavaliers trailed by double digits […]
Virginia basketball player profile: Elijah Gertrude is finally healthy and pushing for minutes
Elijah Gertrude has spent most of his Virginia career waiting. He waited on a knee that had to be rebuilt twice. He waited behind a backcourt that won 30 games. And when he did get on the floor, it was usually after the outcome had been decided. This preseason, the wait may finally be ending. […]
Five takeaways from UVA football’s 28-25 win over Syracuse
A week after getting run out of Tallahassee, Virginia came home Saturday night needing a get-right game, and the schedule seemed to hand it one. Syracuse arrived 2-2 and winless in ACC play, a week removed from a 42-41 overtime escape at UConn that was its first win over an FBS opponent in more than […]
Virginia football escapes with a 28-25 win over Syracuse
For nearly three quarters, the Virginia Cavaliers looked lost and lifeless, seemingly primed for a crippling home loss to a Syracuse Orange squad led by its third-string quarterback. Then Beau Pribula hit Da’Shawn Martin for a 43-yard touchdown strike, and the ’Hoos finally came to life. Though it was far from perfect, Virginia (4-2, 2-1 […]
Three players, two matchups, and one prediction for Virginia football vs. Syracuse
The vibes couldn’t have been higher for Virginia football after its first two games. The ’Hoos dominated NC State in a season-opening statement and took care of business against an overmatched Norfolk State squad. Virginia was ranked, confident, and primed to make another run at the ACC Championship game. Then the ’Hoos went to Charlotte. […]
UVA basketball preseason profile: Can Sam Lewis take another leap?
In the locker room after Virginia basketball’s heartbreaking NCAA Tournament loss to Tennessee, Sam Lewis was the first to verbally recommit to the program. His official recommitment ultimately took a little longer than Virginia fans would’ve hoped; nevertheless, along with returning stars Chance Mallory, Thijs De Ridder, and Johann Grunloh, Lewis was an essential domino […]
Stock Up, Stock Down from UVA Football’s 38-7 loss at FSU
The Virginia Cavaliers dropped their second game of the 2026 season down in Tallahassee. A look at what’s trending up and down after what was an ugly day for the ‘Hoos. Stock Up Good starts The ‘Hoos have opened the scoring in every game they’ve played up to this point. After forcing a quick stop […]
Is Kalu Anya a solution for UVA basketball’s backup center spot?
Our Virginia men’s basketball player preview series continues! So far, we have hit on Chance Mallory, Christian Harmon, and Jurian Dixon. Next up, we look at Kalu Anya, whose role is more up in the air. Anya spent two seasons each at Brown, and most recently at Saint Louis, averaging a consistent 8.0 points, 2.0 […]
UVA fall sports pulse check: Where every Virginia team stands in October
Virginia athletics is coming off one of the best years in program history. The Cavaliers finished fifth in the 2025-26 Learfield Directors’ Cup with 1,148.75 points, behind only Texas, Stanford, UCLA and North Carolina. It was the third top-five finish in the last four years, after fourth in 2022-23 and fifth in 2023-24. Women’s swimming […]
Five takeaways from UVA football’s 38-7 loss at Florida State
A year ago, Virginia and Florida State played a game that sent the two programs in opposite directions. The Cavaliers’ 46-38 double-overtime upset of No. 8 Florida State ended with fans on the field at Scott Stadium and launched a run to a program-record 11 wins and an ACC Championship Game appearance. The Seminoles came […]
Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Florida State with the experts from Tomahawk Nation
The Virginia Cavaliers (3-1, 1-0 ACC) head to Tallahassee to face Florida State (2-2, 0-1 ACC) on Saturday at 3:30. Tony Elliott’s crew is a slight favorite headed into this matchup as Vegas has the ‘Hoos set at a 2.5-point favorite against Mike Norvell and his Seminoles. I got the inside scoop on how the […]
UVA basketball player profile: Jurian Dixon is chasing the March he never got
Jurian Dixon’s first college season ended with the ball in his hands. On April 3, 2025, UC Irvine trailed Chattanooga 85-84 in overtime of the NIT championship at Hinkle Fieldhouse. After a timeout, Devin Tillis lobbed a long pass to Bent Leuchten, who found Dixon near the basket. Dixon’s close-range shot fell off the rim […]
Five takeaways from UVA basketball’s 82-73 exhibition loss to Vanderbilt
College basketball does not usually start in September, and it almost never starts outdoors. On Sunday, Virginia opened its preseason at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, S.C., as part of The LinkU Invitational, the earliest college basketball game of the year and the first played outdoors since 2022. For most of the afternoon, roughly half […]
Five takeaways from UVA football’s 42-3 bounce-back win over Delaware
A week after a deflating 38-27 loss to West Virginia in Charlotte, Virginia came home to Scott Stadium seeking redemption. However, this Saturday was no normal game. It was UVA Strong Day, the program’s annual game honoring Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler and D’Sean Perry. Tony Elliott made every remaining member of the 2022 team […]
Virginia football takes care of business, routs Delaware on UVA Strong night
With a perfect bounce-back opportunity teed up coming off their neutral-site loss to West Virginia last weekend, the Virginia Cavaliers took care of business on Saturday night, thumping the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens, 42-3, on ‘UVA Strong’ night inside Scott Stadium. The ’Hoos, who improved to 3-1 (1-0 ACC) on the season with Saturday’s victory, […]
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