Virginia's defense takes out Cal

Virginia got interception returns for touchdowns from safety Brandyn Hillman and Kam Robinson as it beat Cal 36-7 to end a three-game losing streakCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Brandyn Hillman and Kam Robinson each returned interceptions for touchdowns as Virginia snapped its three-game losing streak with a 36-7 win over visiting California on Saturday at Scott Stadium.Robinson finished with 12 tackles as UVA (5-5, 3-4 ACC) held the Golden Bears (3-7, 2-4) to 201 yards of total offense.Cal, which lost its fourth in a row, got a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Adam Mohammed with 14 seconds left in the first half for its only score.Coming off a bye week, UVA opened the game with an impressive 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive that saw quarterback Beau Pribula go 5-for-8 passing for 51 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Da'Shawn Martin for the game's first points. Cal had a shot to get back in the game with two minutes left in the first half, but on a fourth-and-goal play at the 4-yard line, it ran a faked field goal that Hillman intercepted at the goal line and returned 99 yards for a touchdown and a 16-0 lead. Trailing 19-7 late in the third quarter, Sagapolutele tried to throw a short pass, but Robinson jumped up and snared it at the line of scrimmage, then ran it back 33 yards for the touchdown and a 26-7 UVA lead.Virginia kicker Will Bettridge hit on three field goal attempts. Cal: Sagapolutele and the Golden Bears' offense could not get in gear, squandering a mostly strong outing by the Cal defense. But it was the fake punt decision that really doomed the slumping Bears.Popular ReadsVirginia: The Cavaliers emerged from their bye week with a defensive effort reminiscent of their Week 0 win over North Carolina State. The win over Cal means UVA needs one more victory in its final two outings to become bowl eligible.Cal: Hosts rival Stanford on Saturday night.Virginia: Hosts North Carolina on Saturday.___Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here.Sponsored Content by Taboola