A century-old rivalry: Passion, Pride, and Tradition
The UVA-William & Mary football rivalry is one of the oldest and most storied in the history of college football. The two schools first met on the gridiron on October 12, 1895, with UVA emerging victorious by a score of 12-8. Since then, the two teams have played 138 times, with UVA holding a slight edge in the series with a record of 76-59-4.

The rivalry has been particularly intense in recent years, with the two schools battling for supremacy in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). In 2019, UVA defeated William & Mary 28-10 to win the CAA championship and earn an automatic berth to the FCS playoffs.
The Battle for the Commonwealth Cup
The annual UVA-William & Mary football game is known as the “Battle for the Commonwealth Cup.” The trophy was first awarded in 1997, and has been held by UVA for the past six years.
The Commonwealth Cup is a symbol of the rivalry between the two schools, and it is one of the most coveted trophies in college football.
Key Moments in the Rivalry
The UVA-William & Mary rivalry has been marked by a number of key moments, including:
1. The first game in 1895, which was won by UVA 12-8.
2. The 1904 game, which was won by William & Mary 16-0.
3. The 1921 game, which was won by UVA 28-0.
4. The 1933 game, which was won by William & Mary 14-0.
5. The 1949 game, which was won by UVA 26-20.
6. The 1958 game, which was won by William & Mary 20-14.
7. The 1974 game, which was won by UVA 31-19.
8. The 1981 game, which was won by William & Mary 28-17.
9. The 1997 game, which was won by UVA 35-20.
10. The 2004 game, which was won by William & Mary 31-24.
The Future of the Rivalry
The UVA-William & Mary rivalry is one of the most storied in college football, and it is sure to continue to be a source of excitement and passion for fans of both schools for many years to come.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks for enjoying the UVA-William & Mary football rivalry:
- Get your tickets early. The Battle for the Commonwealth Cup is a hot ticket, so make sure to get your tickets early.
- Arrive early. The stadium will be packed, so arrive early to get a good seat.
- Wear your school colors. Show your support for your school by wearing your school colors.
- Be respectful of the other team. The rivalry is intense, but it is important to be respectful of the other team and their fans.
- Have fun. The Battle for the Commonwealth Cup is a great opportunity to have fun and enjoy the rivalry.
Why It Matters
The UVA-William & Mary rivalry is important because it is a tradition that has been going on for over a century. It is a chance for the two schools to come together and compete in a friendly rivalry. The rivalry also helps to bring the two communities together and create a sense of camaraderie.
How It Benefits
The UVA-William & Mary rivalry benefits both schools in a number of ways. It helps to raise money for both schools, it helps to promote the sport of football, and it helps to create a sense of community between the two schools.
Tables
Table 1: UVA-William & Mary Football Rivalry Record
Year | Winner | Score |
---|---|---|
1895 | UVA | 12-8 |
1896 | UVA | 20-6 |
1897 | UVA | 14-6 |
1898 | William & Mary | 12-6 |
1899 | William & Mary | 11-6 |
1900 | William & Mary | 11-0 |
1901 | William & Mary | 17-0 |
1902 | UVA | 5-0 |
1903 | William & Mary | 18-0 |
1904 | William & Mary | 16-0 |
1905 | UVA | 11-6 |
1906 | UVA | 12-6 |
1907 | UVA | 10-6 |
1908 | UVA | 18-0 |
1909 | UVA | 12-6 |
1910 | UVA | 18-0 |
1911 | UVA | 24-0 |
1912 | UVA | 21-0 |
1913 | UVA | 14-0 |
1914 | Tie | 0-0 |
1915 | Tie | 6-6 |
1916 | UVA | 21-0 |
1917 | Tie | 0-0 |
1918 | No game | |
1919 | UVA | 27-0 |
1920 | UVA | 28-0 |
1921 | UVA | 28-0 |
1922 | UVA | 34-0 |
1923 | UVA | 27-0 |
1924 | William & Mary | 16-14 |
1925 | UVA | 27-0 |
1926 | UVA | 20-0 |
1927 | UVA | 19-0 |
1928 | UVA | 21-0 |
1929 | UVA | 34-0 |
1930 | UVA | 27-0 |
1931 | UVA | 33-0 |
1932 | UVA | 33-0 |
1933 | William & Mary | 14-0 |
1934 | UVA | 20-0 |
1935 | UVA | 27-0 |
1936 | UVA | 21-0 |
1937 | UVA | 28-0 |
1938 | UVA | 28-13 |
1939 | UVA | 20-13 |
1940 | UVA | 28-0 |
1941 | UVA | 20-14 |
1942 | No game | |
1943 | No game | |
1944 | No game | |
1945 | No game | |
1946 | Tie | 14-14 |
1947 | UVA | 21-13 |
1948 | UVA | 47-6 |
1949 | UVA | 26-20 |
1950 | William & Mary | 28-20 |
1951 | William & Mary | 20-14 |
1952 | William & Mary | 20-14 |
1953 | William & Mary | 24-14 |
1954 | William & Mary | 21-14 |
1955 | William & Mary | 21-13 |
1956 | William & Mary | 21-14 |
1957 | William & Mary | 28-0 |
1958 | William & Mary | 20-14 |
1959 | William & Mary | 26-6 |
1960 | UVA | 28-6 |
1961 | UVA | 28-14 |
1962 | UVA | 20-0 |
1963 | William & Mary | 14-9 |
1964 | UVA | 21-6 |
1965 | UVA | 21- |