CHARLOTTESVILLE — It took no time for Kam Robinson to get re-acclimated to game speed in his first contest back from injury. In fact, he was dictating the pace almost immediately in the Cavaliers’ convincing 48-20 win over visiting Stanford at Scott Stadium on Saturday night.
“It felt great getting on the field for that first drive,” said Robinson, who sat out the first three games with a fractured collarbone. “There’s nothing better than playing at Scott Stadium.”
He felt great and looked great. The 6-foot-2, 234-pound Robinson was in attack mode from the opening whistle. He assisted on a tackle on the game’s third play and provided ample pressure off the edge on the next down to force a third-down incompletion.
It was just a start for Robinson, who finished with a team-high seven tackles and came up with a big fourth-quarter fumble recovery that led to an insurance touchdown in the Cavaliers’ ACC opener.
“It was just good to see (Robinson) running around,” Virginia coach Tony Elliott said. “I think everyone loves to watch him because you never know what you’re going to see. You have a chance to see something special because of the ability level that he has.”
Robinson’s return was a big boost for a defensive unit that has gotten mixed results so far this season as it has worked in a bevy of transfers. The Cavaliers (3-1, 1-0), who started six defensive players against the Cardinal who joined the program via the transfer portal in the offseason, dominated at times and struggled at others.
UVA held Stanford to 35 rushing yards and sacked quarterback Ben Gulbranson five times. But the Cardinal struck for some big plays through the air, including a pair of long completions from Gulbranson to wide receiver Bryce Farrell. The two hooked up on a 60-yard play that led to a touchdown in the first quarter and a 68-yarder in the third quarter that Farrell took to the house.
The Cavaliers attempted to limit Gulbranson’s effectiveness with a variety of pressures, and the result was a season-high for sacks. The last time they had five in a game was in last September’s road win over Wake Forest.
“It’s a huge confidence boost, and I think it’s just a testament to the work that we’ve been putting in practice,” said defensive tackle Jason Hammond, who had a strip sack in the fourth quarter that led to Robinson’s recovery.
Hammond credited Robinson as well. The honorable mention All-ACC pick last season suffered his injury early in fall camp and was sorely missed over the first three games.
“When they have to account for Kam Robinson, it frees up a lot of us,” Hammond said. “Just having him and knowing how dominant he is, even in the coverage game, it gives us all a chance to go get the quarterback. I’m excited to have him back.”
Robinson was a catalyst for the Cavaliers last season, leading the team with five sacks and finishing second with 64 tackles. He also logged an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery. He appeared to play to those high standards in his first game back.
“Now he knows he’s ready to roll, should have confidence in the shoulder, and that should bring a good jolt for us down the stretch,” Elliott said.
The Cavaliers host No. 8 Florida State on Friday night. It’s their first home game against a top 10 foe since then-No. 9 Notre Dame visited on November 13, 2021.
The Seminoles, who finished 2-10 last season, took down No. 17 Alabama in their season opener and are coming off a 66-10 home win over Kent State, during which quarterback Tommy Castellanos accounted for 259 total yards and two rushing touchdowns.
UVA has an extensive scouting report on Castellanos. It faced off against him last season when he played for Boston College. He passed for 254 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Cavaliers’ 24-14 home win.
In a 2023 meeting at Boston College, Castellanos passed for 183 yards, two touchdowns and two picks in a 27-24 Eagles victory. He also rushed for 78 yards on 16 attempts.
“He’s a good player. We’ve got to keep him in the pocket, make him one-dimensional,” Robinson said.
Robinson said he’s up for the challenge. After playing at a high level in his return against Stanford, he thinks he’s ready for what the Seminoles bring.
“I love competition like that,” he said.
