Virginia football vs. N.C. State: Rejuvenated Cavs trounce the Wolfpack With quarterbacks Phillip Sims and Michael Rocco rotating behind center all game long and a dominant defense that forced as many turnovers as it had all season, Virginia destroyed the Wolfpack, 33-6, to snap a six-game losing streak. The victory was Virginia's first in nearly two months, and its first in ACC play this year. The Cavaliers improved 3-6, 1-4. Sims (8 of 10 for 115 yards) accounted for two touchdowns, including a 38-yard strike to wide receiver Tim Smith in the third quarter that put the game out of reach, and Rocco (12 of 23 for 83 yards) added another as Virginia gained 446 yards. Running back Kevin Parks, who ended the day with 115 yards on 25 carries, put the finishing touches on a resounding victory with a 31-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. But it was the Cavaliers" defense that proved to be the galvanizing force. Virginia sacked North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon (Westfield High) six times and the Cavaliers forced five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles). Keep in mind, Virginia had created just five turnovers through the first eight games of the season and entered Saturday with the fewest sacks in the ACC. Glennon, the ACC's most prolific passer this year, finished 23 of 46 for 197 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The Wolfpack's only points came on a fourth-quarter drive with the stands half-empty and Virginia already up 26-0. But it was clear from the start that Virginia was a different team than the one that sulked into last week's bye. On the opening drive of the game, the Cavaliers stormed down the field and, in a sign of things to come, even got some good luck. On first and goal from the 4-yard line, Virginia ran a perfectly designed halfback pass to quarterback Phillip Sims, but the pass from senior Perry Jones hit Sims in the hands and dropped harmlessly to the ground. Two plays later, though, Sims made up for the gaffe when he beat North Carolina State cornerback David Amerson to the pylon on a one-yard touchdown scramble that put Virginia up 7-0. Then, after the two teams exchanged turnovers, Rocco entered the game and promptly led the Cavaliers on a 10-play, 68-yard drive, finding wide receiver Darius Jennings wide open in the end zone on an 18-yard pass. When the first quarter ended, Virginia led the Wolfpack, 14-0, and outgained N.C. State, 162-38. From there, with Sims and Rocco alternating every two series, Virginia's offense could only muster six-straight three-and-outs before halftime. But the Cavaliers" defensive line made sure the lead stood with their most inspired play of the year. Rushing just four players on most plays, using stunts and twists to confuse North Carolina State's offensive line, Virginia sacked Glennon four times in the second quarter alone. The most important came midway through the second quarter when defensive tackle Will Hill burst through the line of scrimmage and forced a safety to put Virginia up 16-0. The Cavaliers" defense also created three turnovers before halftime. The last came with less than a minutes remaining in the first half, when defensive tackle Chris Brathwaite sacked and stripped Glennon and defensive end Jake Snyder recovered the fumble at North Carolina State's 19-yard line. But on fourth and goal at the goal line, Virginia tight end Jake McGee was called for a false start and place kicker Ian Frye missed the ensuing 22-yard chip shot. As a result, the Cavaliers entered the locker room with a 16-0 lead, knowing well it could have been more after their best performance of the season.