Xavier Brown shines with 171 yards in Virginia’s 43-24 victory at Coastal Carolina
- Virginia's Xavier Brown rushed for 171 yards on nine carries, leading the Cavaliers to a 43-24 victory over Coastal Carolina.
- The Cavaliers' defense forced a fumble and an interception, contributing to their strong performance and scoring on five consecutive possessions.
- This win marks a significant achievement for Virginia, who had not gained over 300 rushing yards in a game since 2018.
In a significant college football matchup on Saturday, Virginia faced Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C., securing a decisive 43-24 victory. The Cavaliers showcased a dominant ground game, amassing 384 rushing yards, marking their first game with over 300 rushing yards since 2018. Xavier Brown was a standout performer, rushing for 171 yards on just nine carries, while backup quarterback Grady Brosterhous contributed with two rushing touchdowns. Virginia's defense also played a crucial role, forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff that led to an early touchdown and intercepting a pass in the first quarter, which resulted in another score. Despite the Cavaliers being only slight favorites, they managed to quiet the record crowd of 22,104 at Coastal Carolina's teal Surf Turf. Virginia scored on five consecutive possessions, demonstrating their offensive prowess. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea had a modest passing performance, completing 13 of 20 passes for 131 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Fields. Coastal Carolina's Ethan Vasko threw for 222 yards but struggled with accuracy, completing only 10 of 21 attempts. The victory improved Virginia's record to 3-1, while Coastal Carolina also stood at 3-1. This win is particularly significant for the Cavaliers, who have not participated in a bowl game since their 2019 Orange Bowl loss. The Cavaliers will have a week off before hosting Boston College on October 5, while Coastal Carolina will face Old Dominion on the same date. Overall, this game highlighted Virginia's resurgence in the running game and their ability to capitalize on defensive opportunities, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season as they aim for a bowl appearance.