Virginia Football: Cavaliers make early ACC statement with win over Pitt

Bryce Perkins and Virginia football find themselves as preseason favorites to reach the ACC Championship Game and began that quest in Week 1.

In the season opener for the Cavaliers, they took a major step towards doing just that, as Perkins accounted for a pair of touchdowns in a 30-14 victory over Pittsburgh.

Perkins threw for 181 yards and added 44 more on the ground with his defense taking care of Panther quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Virginia took advantage of each situation presented to them, scoring first after blocking a punt and adding a second touchdown after an interception by Matt Gahm. Perkins had a hand in both of those scores, connecting with Chris Sharp and Hasise Dubois on TD passes.

Dubois was the leader in yards with 45, but Perkins found seven different receivers on the night. Joe Reed led the team with seven receptions.

This marked just the second win for Virginia over Pittsburgh since the Panthers joined the ACC in 2013.

Pickett, in his first season under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, put up a career-high 41 pass attempts, but completed just 21 of them for 185 yards. He threw a touchdown to Tre Tipton and also had a pair of interceptions.

The Panthers ran for just 78 yards on 30 carries, with A.J. Davis leading the way with 25. Davis also led the team in receiving with two catches for 65 yards — one of which went for 59.

Pittsburgh is the team the Cavaliers are looking to dethrone for the ACC Coastal Division title after they made a run to the championship game before falling to Clemson a year ago. Virginia, meanwhile, won eight games under Bronco Mendenhall, highlighted by a shutout vs. South Carolina in the Belk Bowl.

Both teams will step out of conference play next week with Virginia taking on former head coach Mike London and William & Mary. Pittsburgh brings in the Mid-American preseason favorite Ohio, looking to move to 8-1 all-time vs. the Bobcats.