Virginia-BYU Preview Capsule

The Associated Press

VIRGINIA (2-1) at No. 21 BYU (3-0), 3:35 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Line: BYU by 14.

Series Record: Virginia leads 3-1.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Virginia is playing its first road game of the season. Last season BYU visited Virginia and lost 19-16 in a game that featured a two-hour lightning delay. The Cougars have spent two weeks in the AP Top 25, their first appearance in the national rankings since early 2012. Three of Virginia’s opponents to start the season have been ranked: UCLA, Louisville and the Cougars.

KEY MATCHUP

BYU’s offense led by dynamic dual-threat QB Taysom Hill against Virginia’s defense led by senior LB Henry Coley. Hill threw for 200 yards and a touchdown and ran for 160 yards and another for the Cougars’ 33-25 victory over Houston last Thursday. He’ll face a defense that has forced 13 turnovers to lead the nation.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Virginia: Redshirt freshman QB Greyson Lambert, who threw for a touchdown and ran for another in Virginia’s 23-21 victory over Louisville last weekend. The 6-foot-5 QB has started all three games for the Cavaliers even though he had a rocky debut against UCLA.

BYU: Hill is averaging 118.7 rushing yards per game, most among FBS-level QBs. Steadily getting more Heisman notice, the junior signal-caller has run for six touchdowns and thrown for four more overall this year. He has been named offensive player of the week for the independents for all three weeks of the season.

FACTS & FIGURES

BYU senior WR Jordan Leslie has had at least one reception in 31 straight games. … Virginia’s 11 pass breakups last weekend against Louisville were its most since 11 against BYU in the opener last year. … It is the third time in 20 years that the Cougars have opened 3-0. … It is Virginia’s first road opener since 2010, when the Cavaliers visited then-No. 16 USC. … Virginia hasn’t been to Provo since 1999, when the Cavaliers beat the Cougars 45-40.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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