Virginia heads to Dallas on Saturday to face No. 24 SMU, and it will do so without one of its cornerbacks. According to the school, Omillio Agard tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
Agard isn’t the only absence. Virginia says wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. will not play, safety Brandyn Hillman is a game-time decision, and defensive end Devon Baxter recently had shoulder surgery.
The matchup
Virginia (4-2, 2-1 ACC) and SMU (4-1, 2-1 ACC) kick off at noon Eastern at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The game airs on The CW.
The Cavaliers bring the ACC’s best pass defense into a tough test. SMU averages 479.2 yards and 34.6 points per game. Quarterback Kevin Jennings has completed 75 percent of his passes for 1,588 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions through five games.
History isn’t on Virginia’s side. ACC teams are 0-9 against SMU in Dallas since the Mustangs joined the league in 2024. The Hoos are also 0-2 on the road at Scott Stadium this season. When these two last met, on Nov. 23, 2024, SMU won 33-7 in Charlottesville.
Momentum from Syracuse
Virginia comes in off a 28-25 comeback win over Syracuse. A win in Dallas would be the Cavaliers’ first road win of the year and a major statement in the ACC race. Without Agard, that pass defense will have to hold up against one of the league’s most productive offenses.
