Quarterback Bryce Perkins threw two touchdown passes and scored two of his own to lead Virginia past Liberty 45-24 Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.

In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, Virginia (7-3) outscored Liberty 21-7 in the second half to record its seventh win of the season for the first time since 2011.

The Cavaliers racked up 389 yards on offense while holding the Flames to 149 yards through the air. Liberty (4-5) entered Saturday's game with the nation's 10th-ranked passing offense.

Juan Thornhill recorded his fifth interception of the season as Virginia picked off Liberty quarterback Stephen Calvert three times.

Liberty cut the Virginia lead to seven at 31-24 early in the third quarter after an 18-yard touchdown run by Peytton Pickett. The Cavaliers then responded with 14 unanswered points to end the game and preserve the 21-point win.

Pickett ran for 117 yards on the day for the Flames as they racked up 205 yards on the ground.

Perkins paced the Virginia offense with 168 yards through the air and 89 yards on the ground. Running back Jordan Ellis ran for 106 yards on 25 carries. Wide receiver Joe Reed caught two touchdown passes and took the second half's opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to open up the scoring in the second half for Virginia.

The Cavaliers scored on their first three possessions of the first half after falling behind 7-0 in the game's opening minutes.

Virginia took a 21-7 lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Ellis before Liberty responded with 10 points in 28 seconds to close to within four at 21-17.

Virginia led 24-17 at the halftime break after gaining 243 first-half yards. The Flames tallied 240 yards of their own in the half as Pickett put up 83 yards on the ground.

The Cavaliers will jump back into ACC action next Saturday when they travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech.

--Field Level Media