Five takeaways from UVA football’s 28-25 win over Syracuse

1. Daniel Sparks was the standout performer, punting six times for 313 yards and an impressive 52.2-yard average, which set a school single-game record and highlighted his potential to start on Sundays.

2. The late play calling proved effective, as a play-action shot to Dakota Twitty, followed by a near identical play, resulted in a touchdown that turned the game around in the fourth quarter.

3. Virginia's passing game was still an issue, as they only went 3-for-10 on third down and completed only 11-of-19 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. This highlighted the ongoing challenges they face against Power Five defenses.

4. Rico Flores Jr., a key contributor and UCLA transfer, suffered a knee injury in the second quarter, ruling him out for the remainder of the game. His absence added to the mounting injuries, with Flores already missing the first two games due to a hamstring issue.

5. The team's offensive struggles continued throughout the game, with Virginia relying heavily on screens and quarterback runs. While coach Tony Elliott credited the players for their effort, the frustration lies in the inconsistency of the offensive scheme, which failed to deliver consistent results during the crucial first three quarters.