LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Two weeks, two overtime victories for Virginia.
These Cavaliers know how to win a thriller.
The No. 24 Hoos used running back J'Mari Taylor's 2-yard touchdown run on a direct snap to win in walk-off style against previously-unbeaten Louisville 30-24 in overtime on Saturday at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in the Derby City.
UVa has won four in a row and is on the longest winning streak of coach Tony Elliott's tenure. The Cavaliers are 5-1 for the first time since 2017 and have won their first three ACC games for the first time since 2007.
Taylor's powering past the goal-line into the black-shaded turf silenced the home faithful and sent them quietly for the exit as the Hoos began their own celebration.
The play came just moments after UVa quarterback Chandler Morris was forced to exit after scrambling all the way down to Louisville's 2-yard line while trying to score. That came after Morris found tight end John Rogers for a 14-yard gain on the first play of the second part of the first overtime.
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Louisville (4-1, 1-1 ACC) got a 24-yard field goal from Cooper Ranvier in the first part of the extra period.
Ranvier's 50-yard field goal with 1:08 to go in regulation forced overtime, and at that instance, it appeared the Cavaliers were destined to follow the same fate they had in each of the last two encounters with the Cardinals.
They blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead on Saturday. In each of the last two seasons, Louisville rallied in the final quarter to beat UVa.
But Saturday was different, and the Cavaliers outlasted the Cardinals to win in overtime for the second straight game.
They beat previously No. 8 Florida State last Friday night in double overtime.
When Morris needed to depart, backup Daniel Kaelin entered. But the ball never touched his hands as Elliott and offensive coordinator Des Kitchings put the game in Taylor's hands.
This story will be updated.
Greg Madia
@GregMadia on X
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