CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. -- After starting the 2016 season 0-3, first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall captured his first win as Virginia head coach when the Cavaliers knocked off Central Michigan 49-35 on Saturday afternoon at Scott Stadium.

With the win, the Cavaliers avoided their first 0-4 start since the 1982 season.

Virginia (1-3) quarterback Kurt Benkert set a school record with 421 passing yards. Benkert completed 27 of his 43 pass attempts and tossed five touchdowns.

After trailing 28-0 in the first half, Central Michigan (3-1) reeled off 28 unanswered points to tie the game early in the fourth quarter but lost the momentum as the Cavaliers answered with 21 straight points of their own.

The Chippewas were outgained by the Cavaliers 569-495 as the two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense.

Virginia was led by a pair of running backs to pace their passing attack as Olamide Zaccheaus caught eight passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns and Taquan Mizzell grabbed six balls for 89 yards and a touchdown in addition to 79 yards and a score on the ground.

Central Michigan was led by senior quarterback Cooper Rush, who went 25-of-45 for 402 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Corey Willis caught both of Rush's touchdowns and totaled 145 yards receiving.

After leading 28-0 early in the second quarter, Virginia would take a 28-14 lead into the halftime break.

Central Michigan scored twice in the second quarter, which included an 85-yard touchdown pass from Rush to Willis to cut the Cavaliers' lead to 14.

Virginia tallied 280 yards in the game's first 30 minutes while the Chippewas racked up 176 despite being held to just two yards through their first handful of offensive possessions.

The Cavaliers will open ACC play next Saturday as they travel to take on the Duke Blue Devils at 12:30 p.m.