NC State scored a go-ahead touchdown with 25 seconds left to help the Wolfpack beat Carolina 35-30 at Kenan Stadium on Saturday night in head coach Mack Brown’s final game with the Tar Heels. The Hall of Fame head coach was fired earlier in the week but allowed to coach Saturday’s game.
“I want to congratulate NC State. What a game,” Brown said afterward. “Two even teams who absolutely competed until the end.”
The high-scoring finish came after a low-scoring first half, one which ended with the Wolfpack holding a 7-6 lead. Carolina only trailed by virtue of a missed extra point from Noah Burnette, one of two kicks the senior would miss in his final home game. He also missed a short field goal late in the first half.
After halftime, Carolina roared to life with two long touchdowns: a 75-yard run by Omarion Hampton and a 50-yard pass from Jacolby Criswell to Chris Culliver. For Hampton, the run was the longest of his decorated collegiate career. For Criswell, the 50-yard score was the longest touchdown pass of his career.
UNC carried a 20-13 lead into the fourth quarter. Both teams proceeded to trade jabs until the final seconds, with the Wolfpack tying the game 45 seconds into the quarter. Carolina nosed in front on the next drive thanks to a Burnette field goal (which struck an upright before deflecting in), but NC State took the lead back on its next drive with a touchdown pass. The special teams roller coaster continued on the extra point, as the Wolfpack botched the operation. The score stood at 26-23.
NC State added three more to the advantage with 2:37 remaining. Carolina needed just 46 seconds to respond, with Hampton taking a shovel pass from Criswell 47 yards to the end zone. UNC led, 30-29.
But the Wolfpack had one more trick up their sleeves, as quarterback C.J. Bailey hitting receiver Noah Rogers for a 44-yard gain as the clock ticked under a minute to go. NC State bled more clock before running back Hollywood Smothers burrowed in for a two-yard score with 25 seconds to go. Carolina couldn’t piece together a miracle in the final seconds.
UNC’s frustration boiled over after the clock hit all zeroes, as several players confronted members of the Wolfpack who brought an NC Stare flag to midfield and planted it on the Carolina logo. Receiver J.J. Jones took the flag and hurled it at the NC State sideline, starting a brief fracas.
Hampton finished with 22 carries for 185 yards and a touchdown on the ground while adding four catches for 78 yards and a score through the air. The all-around performance gives Hampton 40 total touchdowns in his UNC career, good enough for third place on the school’s all-time leaderboard. Hampton passed Tar Heel legend Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice on the shovel pass. The junior standout also passed the 1,500-yard mark on the ground on Saturday, becoming just the fourth ACC player in the last 20 seasons to post back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons. The other three are Clemson’s Travis Etienne, Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson.
“Simple as can be: he’s that guy,” Criswell said of Hampton.
As for Brown, finishes his UNC career with a 113-79-1 record in 16 seasons. He lost his final four games against the Wolfpack. The outgoing head coach also confirmed he will not coach Carolina’s bowl game.
Carolina is 6-6. The Tar Heels will now await their bowl bid, which will be announced after the conclusion of conference championships next weekend.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines