Chandler Morris threw for two touchdowns in his first game for Virginia and Cam Ross scored twice, including on a kickoff return, as the Cavaliers rolled to a 48-7 season-opening victory against Coastal Carolina on Saturday night in Charlottesville, Va.
Morris, a transfer from North Texas, completed 19 of 27 passes for 264 yards. He also led Virginia with 50 rushing yards.
Ross racked up 124 yards and a touchdown on seven catches, and Trell Harris had 93 yards on three receptions. J’Mari Taylor scored on two touchdown runs. Will Bettridge kicked field goals from 32 and 41 yards for the only points for either team in the fourth quarter.
Coastal Carolina starting quarterback MJ Morris, who made previous stops with North Carolina State and Maryland, went 20-for-36 for 163 yards and one interception.
Virginia, which led 28-0 at halftime, rang up a 361-86 advantage in total offense through the first half. The final count was 454-254.
The Cavaliers didn’t score until the final second of the first quarter when Taylor ran in from 1 yard out. They were back in the end zone on their first possession of the second quarter with Harrison Waylee’s 1-yard run.
Then, Virginia struck for two touchdowns in the last three and a half minutes of the first half with drives of 90 and 80 yards.
Chandler Morris connected with Ross on a 29-yard pass play. With 18 seconds left before the break, Jahmal Edrine made a 2-yard TD grab.
The Cavaliers took the opening position of the second half and drove 60 yards, reaching the end zone on Taylor’s 2-yard run.
Trailing 35-0, Coastal Carolina got on the board on Ja’Vin Simpkins’ 8-yard run with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter. That drive consumed more than six minutes and covered 79 yards.
Ross returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for Virginia.
