Virginia 45, Kent State 13: Matt Johns threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns in his first college start and the Cavaliers pulled away in the third quarter in their win Saturday over the visiting Golden Flashes.

Johns started in place of Greyson Lambert, who suffered an ankle injury in last week’s loss at Brigham Young, and finished 17-of-28 while rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown for Virginia (3-2). Johns was aided by a Cavaliers defense that forced five Kent State turnovers, including an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Colin Reardon was 15-for-32 for 239 yards but was intercepted three times and lost two fumbles, while James Brooks finished with three receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown for Kent State (0-4). The Golden Flashes led 10-7 in the first quarter and trailed 14-10 at halftime when the Cavaliers tucked the game away with a big third quarter.

Virginia went up 17-10 on a 22-yard field goal by Ian Frye then Kevin Parks, who ran for 61 yards on 12 carries, scored a 4-yard touchdown. Johns capped a seven-play, 71-yard drive on a 1-yard run for a 31-10 lead.

Kent State surprised Virginia’s secondary with Brooks’ 45-yard touchdown reception from Reardon midway through the first quarter. But on the Golden Flashes' next drive, Virginia's Maurice Canady picked off Reardon and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kent State possessed the ball for 10:29 of the first quarter. … Reardon rotated at times with Nathan Strock, who was 2-of-3 for seven yards. … Canady, Brandon Phelps and Demetrious Nicholson each had interceptions for Virginia.