If anyone had any doubts, Virginia's defense continues to prove them wrong.
The Cavaliers, who came into Saturday having allowed an average of just 17 points in two games -- including 20 to then-No. 7 UCLA -- stifled No. 21 Louisville's offense in a 23-21 victory in Charlottesville.
It was a pivotal win for Virginia and Mike London, who was believed to be on the hot seat after winning a combined six games the past two seasons.
His Cavaliers (2-1) earned their first ACC win since 2012 and beat their highest-ranked opponent under the coach. It was the first time the Cavaliers had beaten a Top-25 teams since Nov. 19, 2011 when it beat then-No. 23 Florida State.
Virginia was at its most effective on third down, limiting a Cardinals (2-1) offense that was converting at a 52.9 percent rate to 4 for 14 (28 percent) and allowed just 282 yards. In its last two games, Louisville was raking up 469.5 ypg.
Virginia led 20-7 after three quarters, but Louisville took over with Dominique Brown's 6-yard touchdown run, followed by Will Gardner hitting James Quick for a 4-yard score.
But the Cavaliers responded with Ian Frye's third-field goal of the game, a 42-yarder -- he had already hit from35 and 47 yards.
The Cavaliers D should be in for an even bigger test next Saturday as they take on No. 25 BYU and Taysom Hill. The Cougars had 523 yards in their 33-25 win over Houston on Thursday, with Hill running for 160 yards on 26 carries with one TD and he threw for 200 yards and a score.
