A chaotic sequence in the game’s final moments left the Virginia Cavaliers football team 0-4 for the first time since 1982.
Virginia’s freshman quarterback, Anthony Colandrea, completed 18-of-30 passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He led Virginia on an entertaining game-tying drive with 36 seconds remaining.
However, three penalties ultimately led to the Wahoos’ undoing and a 24-21 loss to North Carolina State.
After Colandrea found wide receiver Malik Washington for a three-yard touchdown to cut Virginia’s deficit to 21-13, the Cavaliers got flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty pushed Virginia’s game-tying two-point conversion attempt to the 18-yard line.
Still, Colandrea hooked up with wide receiver Malachi Fields for the two-point conversion. Then, the quarterback was penalized for removing his helmet.
Colandrea stood up in celebration after removing the helmet from his head. The image immediately got turned into a viral meme.
The penalty on the quarterback was assessed on the ensuing kickoff. Virginia had to kick to NC State at their own 20-yard line. The Wolfpack started its possession at UVa’s 48-yard line.
Former Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong led NC State into field goal with just over a half-of-a-minute remaining on the clock. Armstrong gained 18 yards on three plays with his legs.
Armstrong’s efforts set up the Wolfpack for a 48-yard field attempt with three seconds remaining. However, Virginia blocked the field goal, and it appeared the game was heading into overtime. Unfortunately, the celebration was short-lived as James Jackson, who had the block field goal, was flagged for leaping into the long-snapper.
The defensive penalty gave NC State another opportunity from the 15-yard.
Kicker Brayden Narveson drilled the mulligan from 33 yards out, giving NC State the win and pushing Virging into its first 0-4 start in 41 years.
Virginia has lost seven straight going back to last season
The Cavaliers program is still recovering from a November shooting that killed three team players and injured two more people, including current running back Mike Hollins. Meanwhile, the team has not been able to win on the field.
Colandrea started his third straight game as Virginia held out Tony Muskett with a shoulder injury.
Colandrea had another up-and-down game like his previous two. With two interceptions in the fourth quarter, Colandrea has thrown five picks in the final frame over the past two games.
The last time Virginia started a season 0-4 was the first under George Welsh in 1982. Current second-year head coach Tony Elliott would love to repeat history from this point on. Welsh coached UVA for 19 seasons, reaching 12 bowl goals.
