Dec 27, 2025, 11:36 PM ET<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Harrison Waylee<\/a> ran for a touchdown, Chandler Morris<\/a> threw for 198 yards and No. 20 Virginia<\/a> edged 25th-ranked Missouri<\/a> 13-7<\/a> in the Gator Bowl on Saturday night.<\/p>\n The Cavaliers bounced back from a crushing loss to Duke<\/a> in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game — an overtime stunner that cost them a spot in the College Football Playoff — and reached 11 wins for the first time in the program’s 122 years.<\/p>\n Few saw this one coming. Virginia (11-3) was a four-point underdog, according to BetMGM, and was short-handed on both sides of the ball. Coach Tony Elliott’s team played without star running back J’Mari Taylor<\/a>, leading receiver Trell Harris<\/a> and linebackers Kam Robinson<\/a> and Maddox Marcellus<\/a>.<\/p>\n Taylor, who led the ACC with 1,062 yards rushing during the regular season, was a no-show on the sideline after “deliberating” about playing all week.<\/p>\n Waylee and Xay Davis<\/a> picked up the slack, combining for 109 yards on 32 carries.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n Virginia’s defense was equally impressive, holding the Tigers (8-5) to 260 total yards. The Cavaliers forced four punts, intercepted a pass and stopped UVA three times on fourth down.<\/p>\n The last two came on Missouri’s final two drives. Facing a fourth-and-2 at the Virginia 41, Missouri quarterback Matt Zollers<\/a> was pushed out of bounds a yard short of the marker. Facing a fourth-and-10 at the Virginia 21 — and with Zollers having to leave the game for a play — Daniel Kaelin<\/a> threw an incomplete pass to the end zone.<\/p>\n Zollers, a freshman, started his third game of the season in place of Beau Pribula<\/a>, who announced plans last week to enter the transfer portal. Zollers completed 12 of 22 passes for 101 yards and an interception.<\/p>\n