Virginia WR Trell Harris (No. 11 seen splitting three Duke defenders on a 56-yard reception) -a Kent State transfer- earned third-team All-ACC honors this past season. He set new career-highs with eight receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown in this contest.
Virginia traveled to Durham, North Carolina to take on a Duke Blue Devils squad with four losses, yet just one in ACC play. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers (9-2, 6-1) lost just two of its first 10 games, and each of those losses came against ACC opponents (NC State, Wake Forest).
How would he fare against a veteran Virginia football team with 19 sixth-or-seventh-year players?
In what certainly was not a precursor of things to come, the Cavaliers jumped out to a 14-point lead by halftime. They eventually went on to win by 17 points in a game that was not even as close as the 34-17 final score indicated.
Find out what happened in our photo gallery recap.
The Duke Blue Devils band and cheerleaders were ready for action during pregame festivities.
The Cavaliers entered Wallace Wade Stadium as winners in seven of its last eight games. Its only loss came a week prior against Wake Forest.
Second-team All-ACC punter Daniel Sparks averaged 47.2 yards per punt in 2025.
Duke WR Que'Sean Brown (No. 7 seen executing a wall left return vs. Virginia) averaged 12.9 yards per punt return in 2025. He also caught 54 passes for 668 yards and 3 TDs entering the team's bowl game.
Virginia QB Chandler Morris executes a speed shovel pass to Cam Ross in the first quarter. Morris finished with 316 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Saturday's game.
Virginia CB Donavon Platt -an Army transfer- keeps an eye on Duke freshman WR Jayden Moore aligned in the slot.
Virginia safety Devin Neal attempts to stay with Duke WR Que'Sean Brown as second-team All-ACC quarterback Darian Mensah looks for him down the field.
Duke second-team All-ACC right tackle Brian Parker locks up Virginia DE Daniel Rickert on Saturday. LB James Jackson (No. 1 pictured behind them) focuses on the action in front of him.
Virginia WR-PR Cam Ross, pictured, attempts to elude three Duke defenders on this punt return. Ross -an honorable mention All-ACC specialist- finished with seven receptions for 63 yards on the afternoon.
Virginia's offensive line, led by 43-game starter Noah Josey (No. 77 pictured)- executes an inside zone run scheme early in the contest.
Duke second-team All-ACC CB Chandler Rivers (seen celebrating a first quarter interception) finished his senior year with 59 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass break-ups.
Duke CB Chandler Rivers' competitive style and coverage skill (seen vs. Virginia WR Jahmal Edrine) make him a viable NFL prospect.
Virginia third-team All-ACC LT McKale Boley -a 36-game starter- protects QB Chandler Morris as he scans the field.
Virginia WR Trell Harris (No. 11 seen splitting three Duke defenders on a 56-yard reception) -a Kent State transfer- earned third-team All-ACC honors this past season. He set new career-highs with eight receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown in this contest.
Virginia head coach Tony Elliott, pictured, was named the 2025 ACC Coach of the Year after leading the squad to an 11-win season.
