Charlottesville, VA (Sports Network) - Mikell Simpson's touchdown run late in the fourth quarter -- coupled with Chris Gould's extra point -- gave Virginia the lead, and the Cavaliers held on for a 17-16 win over No. 21 Wake Forest.

Trailing 16-10 in the fourth quarter, Virginia forced a Wake Forest three-and- out and took over on its own 44-yard line. Jameel Sewell ran for 10 yards into Demon Deacons territory before hooking up with Simpson for a 14-yard reception to the Wake Forest 32-yard line.

Then, on 4th-and-3, Sewell found Maurice Covington for an 11-yard gain to keep the drive alive. Sewell then brought Virginia down to the three-yard line and Simpson scored one play later from one yard out to tie the game with 2:18 left on the clock.

Gould's PAT put the Cavaliers in front, but Wake Forest didn't go quietly on its last drive of the game, converting two fourth downs to move into field goal range. However, Sam Swank pushed his 48-yard attempt wide right as time expired as Virginia (8-2, 5-1 ACC) came away with the victory.

Sewell threw for 225 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 47 yards for the Cavaliers, who remained a perfect 5-0 at home this season.

"This was a very significant game in his development as the quarterback of our team," said Virginia head coach Al Groh. "He and I both agree that this probably wouldn't have happened last year. Everybody has toughened up around here mentally, and I think he's done the same. That enabled him to overcome some plays that weren't too pretty and to be there for his team when it really mattered."

Simpson ended with just 35 yards on the ground but also with eight catches for 77 yards.

Riley Skinner completed 20-of-26 passes for 175 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Deacons (6-3, 4-2), who saw their six-game winning streak come to an end.

"Missing the last field goal was a very small part of the game," said Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe. "We had opportunities in the first half and the second half that we didn't take advantage of both offensively and defensively. It's really a team loss. When you get down to the last play of the game to win or lose, you'd like to win your share, but honestly, it isn't always going to go your way."

The first half was dominated by defense, as Virginia carried a 10-6 advantage into the locker room.

The Deacons marched right down the field on their opening possession of the game, but their drive stalled in the red zone and Wake Forest had to settle for Swank's 27-yard field goal

Virginia responded with Gould's 44-yarder and the Cavaliers had a chance for more late in the first half by Sewell fumbled on the Wake Forest 23- yard line.

The Deacons then blocked a Ryan Weigand punt early in the second quarter and recovered on the Virginia 30-yard line. The Cavaliers' defense, however, kept Wake Forest out of the end zone and Swank's 25-yarder made it 6-3 Deacons.

Then, with just 10 seconds left before halftime, Virginia registered the only touchdown of the first half to take the lead into the locker room. From around midfield, Sewell sent a laser to Covington, who split two Wake Forest defenders to break free for a 39-yard touchdown. The two Demon Deacons defensive backs appeared to stop in their tracks as Covington approached.

Early in the third, Ras-I Dowling picked off an errant Skinner pass and Virginia took over on the Wake Forest 27-yard line. The Cavaliers, however, turned the ball over on downs and Wake Forest responded with a 15-play, 81- yard drive that culminated with Skinner's 13-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Moore.

Swank's 31-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter made it 16-10.