UVA NOTES: Randolph flaunts his field-goal range

When Virginia kicker Robert Randolph made a career-long 49-yard field goal through heavy rain late in the first quarter to tie No. 11 Georgia Tech — the ball took a carom off the top of the crossbar — Scott Stadium erupted.

Ditto for the entire Virginia sideline, which was jumping up and down as Randolph triumphantly trotted off the field.

“I felt great,” Randolph said. “At the time of the game, it was a big kick that tied things up. Our team was excited and I was excited.

“It really helped our team get going I think.”

Randolph said he wasn’t surprised that he got the call to make the kick, even though the rain was coming down hard and he had never attempted a kick that long.

“On third down, Coach Prince asked Coach Groh if we should be ready, and he said, ‘Be ready,’” Randolph said, “so I was ready.”

Randolph’s kick was the longest by a Virginia player since Chris Gould’s 51-yarder against N.C. State in 2007.

A short time later, Randolph gave UVa a 6-3 lead with a 19-yard field goal. However, late in the first half he missed badly on a 35-yard attempt. Randolph, who had been a perfect 11 for 11 on the season, said the snap was off, then mishandled.

“I had my target messed up a little and just didn’t get a full foot on the ball,” he said. “I had to stop and hesitate and just try and kick it.”

Power of Orange

Former Virginia standout Ray Roberts was honored by the school at halftime. The former NFL Pro Bowl offensive lineman, who was given a framed copy of his old No. 72 jersey, also helped raise the Power of Orange flag just before kickoff.

Mudsliders

Some of the louder cheers during the second half from the home crowd came as a group of students slid down the grass hill in the end zone.

“I was wondering what the cheers were during the timeout,” said Virginia linebacker Denzel Burrell. “It was kind of interesting, but it kind of felt like we were sliding around in the mud ourselves.”

Stingy at the outsets

The field goal by Georgia Tech in the first quarter were the first opening-quarter points that Virginia has allowed an opponent since the season opener versus William & Mary, a streak of five games. UVa has outscored its opponents 40-10 in the first quarter this season.

Extra points

Ends John-Kevin Dolce and Zane Parr each made their first career starts on defense. ... Erstwhile defensive end Nate Collins made his first start of the season at nose tackle. ... Outside linebacker Aaron Clark sustained a left knee sprain in the second half. … Randolph’s failed 35-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter was the first time UVa has failed to score in the red zone all season. ... Al Groh coached his 173rd career game at an ACC school (Wake Forest, Virginia). That moved him from a fifth-place tie all-time with former Clemson coach Frank Howard into a fourth-place tie all-time with former N.C. State coach Earle Edwards. ... Georgia Tech has outscored opponents 79-31 in the first quarter this season, but was tied at 3 after one quarter on Saturday.