Top five photos from Virginia football’s dominant win over Virginia Tech

The Virignia Cavaliers have won ten games in a season for just the second time in their history, and they did so by dominating their in-state rival, Virginia Tech. Saturday night was more than just the product of rivalry week for Tony Elliott and his #18-ranked football team; it was a stepping stone toward getting closer to where they want to go, as evidenced by the way Virginia competed on the field.

They were hungry, but disciplined, and they were not going home without a win. “Where” that might be depends on who you ask. I congratulated Virginia DT Jason Hammond Jr. on the field after the game, saying, “Congrats, you guys deserve this. One more win, one more win!” To which he responded with a smirk and a phrase that left me feeling even more that this coaching staff has their players in the right mindset: “Not just one more win, we got more than that in us.”

The 27-7 victory secured Virignia a spot in the ACC Title game in Charlotte this coming Saturday against the 7-5 (6-2, ACC) Duke Blue Devils. This will be the second time the ‘Hoos meet up against Duke, claiming victory in Durham the first time by a score of 34-17.

We were on the field Saturday night to capture the magic of reclaiming the Commonwealth Cup for the first time since 2019. These are my top five photos from the victory.

5. No Fly Zone

LB Maddox Marcellus picked a great night to have his best game of the 2025 season. He totaled nine tackles, recorded half a sack, and came down with an early interception that swayed the momentum in favor of the Cavaliers, never to be let go.

4. Drone Crash

Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones was under duress all night long, never seeming to be comfortable, especially after this hit by DE Mitchell Melton that left him more twisted up than the seventh round of a twister game. The ‘Hoos defense held Drones to just 4/16 passing, allowing only 78 yards through the air.

3. State Champions

Graduate students, Drake Metcalf and Antonio Clary, were quick to grab the “State Champions” belt with the V-Sabre planted on the middle after the game. The two have been a big part of Virginia’s success, both on the field and with their veteran leadership.

2. All Smiles

In perhaps their most significant effort play of the evening, Virginia Tech CB Thomas Williams showed frustration towards the beatdown in Scott Stadium late in the second half as he got into a scrim with Virginia’s biggest and strongest receiver, Jahmal Edrine. Bold move, Cotton. Edrine, standing at 6’3” and 221 pounds, could only smile after the skirmish as his team held a comfortable lead. Tony Elliott, on the other hand (bottom left), was expressing his disinterest in the activities and wanted his player back on the sidelines.

1. Victory

When the clock hit zero, and Virginia claimed a 27-7 victory over their in-state rival, WR Trell Harris and TE TeKai Kirby were quick to share the win with the Virginia faithful as they made their way over to the student section and started celebrating with them. A perfect way to cap the night.