UCF held UNC to just 217 total yards of offense on its way to a 34-9 win over the Tar Heels in Orlando Saturday afternoon.
Carolina managed just two total yards in the opening quarter and 97 in the first half, during which time quarterback Gio Lopez threw two interceptions. Both provided major sparks for the Knights: the first came deep in Tar Heel territory and led to a UCF field goal, while the second came with UNC in the UCF red zone after its most promising drive of the day to that point.
The Tar Heels finally made a dent in the scoreboard with a field goal late with 1:23 remaining in the second quarter to cut the Knight lead to 13-3, but UCF put together a six-play, 83-yard touchdown drive in just 1:10 on its ensuing possession to take a commanding 20-3 lead into halftime. Carolina’s offense went three and out on the first possession of the second half, and UCF took its first possession all the way into the end zone for another touchdown to blow the game open at 27-3.
UNC received more bad news midway through the third quarter, when Lopez was injured on a run up the middle to convert a fourth down attempt. The Tar Heel starter limped heavily to the sideline before exiting the field on a cart with his head in his hands. Max Johnson relieved the injured Lopez for the second time this season, and the veteran quarterback threw a touchdown pass to receiver Kobe Paysour on the same possession. The lone trip to the end zone capped off UNC’s longest drive of the season: 19 plays for 80 yards in 8:40 of game time. Carolina’s two-point conversion attempt, which would made it a two-possession game at 27-11, failed and left the score 27-9. UCF added one more touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
UCF controlled the ball for 33:47, far outpacing the Tar Heels at 26:13. The Knights put together drives of 6:37 and 7:44 in the first half before embarking on an 18-play, 93-yard touchdown drive in 10:26 during the fourth quarter to see Carolina off.
Neither Johnson nor Lopez ended with more than 100 yards passing. Lopez managed just 87 next to his pair of interceptions, while Johnson finished with 67 and the touchdown pass to Paysour. Freshman running back Demon June, who broke out during UNC’s two prior games against Charlotte and Richmond, led the way on the ground Saturday with 50 yards on 10 carries.
UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson paced the Knights offensively, finishing 25-32 for 223 yards and a touchdown through the air while adding 10 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Jackson was also the Knights’ leading rusher.
Saturday’s loss drops UNC to 2-2 overall this season as they transition to ACC play. The Tar Heels will have the next weekend off and return to action October 4 when they host Clemson at Kenan Stadium. A kickoff time will be announced next week.
Featured image via Associated Press/Phelan M. Ebenhack
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