Virginia running back Mike Hollins, who survived the 2022 on-campus mass shooting, scored two touchdowns in the Cavaliers' 36-35 loss to James Madison. The touchdowns were Hollins' first since he was wounded in the mass shooting.
Hollins, a senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, took the ball on second-and-2 and hit an open hole for a 4-yard rushing touchdown through multiple James Madison defenders. The touchdown cut JMU's lead to three points before the half, a key swing after UVa spotted the Dukes a 14-0 lead to start the game. Later in the second half, Hollins broke off a 9-yard run to push a lead out to 35-24 in the third quarter.
Things you need to see today, a Mike Hollins TD
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) September 9, 2023
📺: ESPNU | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/EoeX8ym2rt
However, James Madison -- which was favored heading into Week 2 -- managed to put together a dynamic fourth quarter to escape Charlottesville, Virginia, with a victory. The Dukes strung together twin eight-play, 80-yard drives. Quarterback Jordan McCloud hit Kaelon Black for a game-winning score with 55 seconds remaining.
Four Virginia football players were shot by former teammate Christopher Jones Jr. in November 2022 after returning from a field trip with their class. Three players -- Devin Chandler, D'Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. -- died from their injuries. Another student, Marlee Morgan, was injured and spent time hospitalized but also survived. Check the first graph. Hollins decided to return to the team in 2023 after recovering from his injuries.
Hollins led Virginia with 28 yards rushing on 12 carries one week after toting the ball just three times against Tennessee. After the early deficit, freshman quarterback Anthony Colandrea stepped up with a fantastic performance. Colandrea completed 20-of-26 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns in the tight loss, but was unable to connect with a receiver on a crushing fourth down play to end the game. Virginia has lost eight of its last nine games.
