Carolina fell behind early against UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on Saturday and couldn’t keep up with the Huskies in the first half, as the Tar Heels fell 27-14. It’s UNC’s fifth straight loss in a bowl game.

Starting quarterback Jacolby Criswell injured his left shoulder on a hard tackle on Carolina’s second offensive series and did not return to the game after exiting. With normal backup quarterback Conner Harrell already exploring his options in the transfer portal, the Tar Heels were forced utilize a Wildcat offense featuring running back Caleb Hood as the quarterback (Hood played quarterback in high school) and freshman quarterback Michael Merdinger. In a strange twist of fate, Merdinger had entered his name into the transfer portal earlier in the week but still suited up.

With Carolina’s All-American running back Omarion Hampton sitting the game out to prepare for the NFL Draft, the UNC offense was stuck in neutral for much of the game. The Tar Heels finished the first half with 45 total yards, their only touchdown coming on a kickoff return from Chris Culliver in the first quarter. UNC only achieved one first down in the half. The only other Carolina touchdown – a pass from Hood to tight end John Copenhaver – came late in the fourth quarter.

The Huskies controlled the game in the absence of Carolina’s offense, racking up 361 total yards of offense and leading 24-7 at halftime. UConn also possessed the ball for nearly double the amount of time the Tar Heels did in the first half. Other unsightly stats include nine UNC penalties against just four for UConn, an 0-9 performance on third downs and just 10 total first downs. The Huskies finished 8-16 on third downs and achieved 21 first downs.

UNC finishes the season 6-7. It’s the Tar Heels’ first losing season since 2021. Now, the program’s sights turn ahead to next season — as Bill Belichick takes over as head coach from Mack Brown, who was dismissed at the end of the regular season. Freddie Kitchens, who was the interim head coach for the bowl game, will be retained on Belichick’s staff.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Andy Mead

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