Virginia dominates IU, wins 47-7

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The IU Hoosiers took a break from their conference schedule to face Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Virginia Saturday.

They probably could have just taken the week off.

Virginia jumped to a 30-0 lead by halftime and was never challenged by the Hoosiers, winning the game 47-7. Cavalier running back Mikell Simpson rushed for four touchdowns, including three in the first half, before leaving the game due to injury.

IU coach Bill Lynch said there were little positives to take from this game.

“We can’t make any excuses at all,” Lynch said. “We got beat pretty soundly by a pretty good football team. They physically got after us and beat us on both sides of the ball.”

The Cavaliers took advantage of early IU mistakes, and the Virginia defense clamped down on the Hoosiers in the first half to set the pace for the game.

On IU’s opening drive, Virginia safety Rodney McLeod scooped up a fumble from IU wide receiver Terrance Turner and returned it 32 yards. The Cavaliers scored four plays later on a five-yard rush by Simpson.

“We moved right down there on them and got good field position on that first drive,” IU quarterback Ben Chappell said. “It should not have taken the wind out of us.  We should have been more confident that we could drive the ball on them.”  

IU never responded. On the following drive, the Hoosiers went three-and-out. Virginia scored on its next possession with a 21-yard completion from quarterback Jameel Sewell to Vic Hall.

The Hoosiers had three consecutive three-and-out offensive drives in the first quarter.

Virginia added to its lead in the second and third quarter. Following a punt early in the second period, the Cavaliers scored points on six consecutive drives – four touchdowns and two field goals to take a 47-0 lead.

A late touchdown from IU running back Bryan Payton ruined Virginia’s shutout aspirations.

The Cavaliers rushed for 231 yards and Sewell passed for 308 yards in the game. Entering the game, Virginia averaged less than 100 rushing yards per game.

“We prepared incredibly well,” Sewell said. “We were able to make plays in practice, and today they translated to the game.”

Simpson rushed for 83 of the Cavaliers yards before leaving the game on a cart in the second half due to a neck injury.

The Hoosiers struggled as much offensively as they did defensively. The Cavaliers forced three Hoosier turnovers, limited IU to 6-of-16 on third down conversions, and held the Hoosiers out of the red zone until late in the fourth quarter.

IU linebacker Tyler Replogle said Virginia simply outplayed the Hoosiers.

“You have to give credit to Virginia,” Replogle said. “They came out and they played better than us today, and I think it’s really that simple. We are going to watch film and regroup and we’re going to be a different team next week.”

IU running back Darius Willis did not play Saturday after sustaining an ankle injury last week against Ohio State.