Virginia Defeats Cal 36-7 to Snap Three-Game Losing Skid

Explosive defensive plays snapped a three-game losing skid for Virginia, fueling a 36-7 victory over California on Saturday at Scott Stadium.

The win moves the Cavaliers to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, leaving them just one victory shy of bowl eligibility with two regular-season games remaining. Head coach Tony Elliott secured his largest margin of victory against an ACC opponent during his tenure at UVA.

“The fun is in the winning,” Elliott told his players afterward. “That’s what it’s all about, to come in and see the smiles on your faces. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Defense Sets the Tone

The afternoon turned on a pair of historic interceptions that dismantled the Golden Bears (3-7, 2-5). Safety Brandyn Hillman, returning from a three-game injury absence, intercepted a fake field-goal attempt late in the first half and sprinted 100 yards down the sideline for a program-record touchdown.

🤯🤯🤯 @dmv_b3's PICK-6 GOES FOR 100 YARDS‼️ That's the longest interception return in school history. 📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/uAF94YMGJD

— Post by @UVAFootball on X

“I was just asking my teammates, like, ‘Is anybody near me?’” Hillman said, smiling. “I was a little gassed towards the 10-yard line, but everything was great.”

Linebacker Kam Robinson matched his teammate in the third quarter by reaching out with his right hand to snare a pass from Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, returning it 33 yards for a score. The play marked the fourth pick-six of Robinson’s career, tying a program record set by linebacker Randy Neal in the 1990s.

“His was better than mine, if you ask me,” Hillman said of Robinson’s return.

Carrying Heavy Responsibilities

Robinson delivered a game-high 12 tackles while anchoring a depleted linebacker corps that played without injured contributors Maddox Marcellus, Landon Danley, and Caleb Hardy. Safety Montino Williams added a third interception in the fourth quarter off a deflection by linebacker Myles Brown, helping limit the Golden Bears to a season-low 201 total yards.

“It’s just a good day at the office for the guys on defense,” Elliott said, “and I think that feeds into playing complementary football all the way around.”

The dominant defensive display provided a stark contrast to a 51-7 loss to then-No. 14 Wake Forest on October 31. Elliott said that a subsequent bye week forced difficult internal conversations regarding individual accountability.

“To be honest, it was kind of like a now-or-never situation,” Hillman said. “Either we’re going to get it together now or it’s just too late.”

Beau Pribula Leads High-Yardage Offense Before North Carolina Matchup

Quarterback Beau Pribula directed an offense that generated 424 yards and punted only three times. Pribula completed 16 of 24 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, while rushing seven times for 67 yards. Wide receiver Da’Shawn Martin caught a 12-yard scoring pass on the game’s opening drive, bringing his team-leading totals to 30 receptions for 425 yards and seven touchdowns.

PICK-6, @Kamrenrobinsonn‼️ That's our second pick-6 of the night. 💯 📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/BjG17Nvazn

— Post by @UVAFootball on X

The Cavaliers return to Scott Stadium next Saturday to host North Carolina in the South’s oldest rivalry. UVA closes the regular season on November 28 against Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium.