SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 21, 2013
Virginia 49, Virginia Military Institute 0: Kevin Parks rushed for a career-high 135 yards and two touchdowns in a little over a half of action and the Cavaliers amassed 580 yards in total offense in crushing the visiting Keydets.
David Watford overcame two early pass interceptions to throw for 206 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for another for Virginia (2-1), which came into the contest ranked just 115th in the FBS in total offense while averaging 260.5 yards per game.
Eric Kordenbrock, who had thrown for 300 yards in back-to-back games, competed just 9-of-27 passes for 38 yards for Virginia Military Institute (1-3). The Keydets finished with just four first downs and 79 yards in offense.
VMI, a FCS school that plays in the Big South Conference, hung in the game early while forcing back-to-back three-and-outs and then intercepting two Watford passes on consecutive series as the game remained scoreless. But Parks broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter and added a 2-yard scoring run as the Cavaliers built a 21-0 halftime lead.
The Cavaliers then broke the game open with touchdowns on their first four possessions in the second half, including one rushing and passing by Watford and two more by backup tailback Daniel Hamm on runs of 7 and 12 yards.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Hamm (136 yards on 21 carries), who replaced Parks at tailback after one play in the third quarter, became the first Cavalier to rush for 100 yards in his Virginia debut since Parks did it in 2011 against William & Mary. ... The Cavaliers, who pulled most of their starters midway through the third quarter, finished with 357 yards rushing -- the first time since 2004 that Virginia rushed for 300 yards in a game. ... Virginia has now won five in a row following a bye and is 20-11 over the past 23 years after a two-week break.