Virginia falls to Duke 19-16, extending eight‑game losing streak

Virginia fell to Duke 19-16 on Friday night in Charlottesville, with the Blue Devils sealing the win on a double‑pass trick play in which Nate Sheppard threw a touchdown pass to Brody Keefe.

The loss marked the Cavaliers' eighth consecutive defeat of the season.

Following the game, head coach Tony Elliott addressed the media, acknowledging the difficulty of the loss.

Fans have expressed a desire to see Elliott dismissed, despite his signing a contract extension on March 16 that pays him $5.4 million this year and $22.6 million through the end of the deal in 2031.

Similarly, supporters have called for the removal of offensive coordinator Des Kitchings, who also signed an extension on February 10 that provides $1.2 million this year and includes buyout language covering the remaining $2.55 million on his contract through March 31, 2029.

Elliott indicated he does not anticipate cutting ties with his staff without prompting from athletic director Carla Williams.

Williams previously influenced the 2021 decision to bring back defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall, an action that preceded Mendenhall’s resignation.