The Sports Xchange
Sep 16, 2017

Quarterback Kurt Benkert set a school record with 455 passing yards as Virginia got its offense clicking for the first time this season in a 38-18 victory over Connecticut on Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.

The Cavs (2-1) rolled to 626 yards of offense.

Benkert completed 30 of 40 passes with three touchdowns as Virginia had three 100-yard receivers in a game for the first time since 1996. Doni Dowling led the way with 136 yards, while Andre Levrone added 127 yards and Olamide Zaccheaus recorded 122 yards. All three caught a touchdown, with Levrone's score covering 73 yards in the fourth quarter.

Virginia led 31-0 in the third quarter before UConn (1-1) added three late touchdowns (all its two-point attempts failed).

The Huskies totaled 434 yards of total offense as quarterback Bryant Shirreffs completed 18 of 26 passes for 227 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. He also led UConn with 90 rushing yards.

Virginia used the longest scoring drive in school history -- taking 9 minutes, 46 seconds -- to take a 7-0 lead early in the game. The Cavs continued to put their foot down in the first quarter, following with a field goal and a 42-yard touchdown pass from Benkert to Dowling to take a 17-0 lead.

Virginia added one more score late in the first half as running back Jordan Ellis found the end zone from 7 yards out to send the Cavaliers into the locker room with a 24-0 lead. Ellis finished with 95 yards on 20 carries.

UConn turned the ball over twice in the first half and managed just 146 yards while Virginia racked up 312 total yards in the half.