If Saturday was supposed to be the test to find out whether or not the eighth-ranked Tar Heels were deserving of the hype they’ve been receiving, it’s safe to say they passed with flying colors in a 56-45 victory over the No. 19 Virginia Tech Hokies.
Although UNC began the year with victories over Syracuse and Boston College, the offense had yet to live up to the high expectations it entered the season with. That was all taken care of on Saturday against a Virginia Tech team missing a number of key defensive players due to issues relating to COVID-19.
Javonte Williams racked up a career-high 169 rushing yards on Saturday against Virginia Tech, as the Tar Heels combined for 399 yards on the ground in the win. (Photo via ACC Media)
Each of the Tar Heels’ top weapons on offense got in on the fun, as Michael Carter, Javonte Williams, Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown all scored two touchdowns apiece and produced some quality highlight-reel plays.
Carter also tallied a career-high 214 rushing yards, while Williams added a career-high 169. Through the air, quarterback Sam Howell completed 18 of his 23 passes for 257 yards and three scores.
All in all, head coach Mack Brown’s Tar Heels finished the game with 656 total yards of offense and set a new school record for points against an AP ranked opponent.
“Everybody was blocking for each other,” Brown said afterwards. “For us to be able to line up against a really good defense and be that physical is exciting for us moving forward. Because we know we can throw it. But when you can do both, it gives you a chance each week.”
The UNC offense firing on all cylinders proved to be much-needed, because Virginia Tech refused to go away without a fight.
Dazz Newsome rebounded after a slow start to the season with a pair of touchdowns against Virginia Tech. (Photo via ACC Media)
The Hokies trailed by 21 points in the first quarter, but scored back-to-back touchdowns to pull within seven. UNC ran the lead back up to 25 points midway through the third quarter, however Virginia Tech answered once again by reeling off 20 unanswered points to come within five heading into the fourth quarter.
An offense led by tailback Khalil Herbert and quarterback Hendon Hooker gained 495 total yards and gave the Hokies a spark when they needed it most—even helping make this the highest-scoring game between ranked opponents in ACC history.
When it came down to it, though, the dynamic UNC offense made all the plays necessary to hold off the comeback attempts and avenge last season’s six-overtime loss.
“This was huge for them,” Brown said about what this win means for his team. “I think that’s what they were worried about some in the third quarter. Two years ago, we fumble the ball going in and they score with 19 seconds left. Last year we had six overtimes.
“There was confidence with that streak on Virginia Tech’s part,” the coach added. “And probably a little bit of doubt about whether we could pull this thing off in our minds.”
It was the kind of performance against a high-level program that many have been waiting to see from the Tar Heels, as the resurgence of the program in Brown’s second tenure continues to speed along faster than anyone could have ever expected.
Dating back to last season, the Tar Heels have won six straight games—representing the longest winning streak the team has had since 2015.
With the Tar Heels now 3-0 for the first time since 2011–and having no games scheduled against currently ranked opponents until late November–this could be the start of something special.
“I didn’t realize going into the game, that they’d beaten us 13 out of 16 since they’ve been in the ACC,” Brown said of Virginia Tech. “This has been a really difficult game for us and I’m really proud of the guys that they played so hard, they hung in there and won the game decisively.”
Up Next:
A trip to Tallahassee awaits the Tar Heels next week, as they take on the struggling Florida State Seminoles in a prime-time game set to begin at 7 p.m.
Game Notes:
- After going 0-for-8 on passes 20 or more yards downfield in UNC’s first two games, Sam Howell completed each of his first two deep attempts against Virginia Tech–both of which went for touchdowns to Dyami Brown.
- The 35 points UNC scored in the first quarter were tied for the most allowed by the Hokies in the first half since 1987. The Tar Heels’ 665 yards of offense were the fifth-most in school history and second-most ever allowed by Virginia Tech.
- Javonte Williams’ six rushing touchdowns through the Tar Heels’ first three games since Natrone Means also had six back in 1992.
- With just three receptions for 31 yards in the first two games, Dazz Newsome responded by hauling in a team-high seven passes for 69 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. He was also credited with a six-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter after catching a backwards pass from Howell and taking it into the endzone.
Cover photo via ACC Media
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