The 14th-ranked UNC football team responded to its first loss of the season in a big way on Saturday at Kenan Stadium, punching the No. 23 NC State Wolfpack in the mouth with a dominant physical performance on the way to a 48-21 victory. 

Although this was the first time the two rivals had met as ranked opponents since 1993, the Tar Heels (4-1) wasted no time showing who was the superior team on this day. UNC forced a three-and-out on NC State’s opening drive, then followed up with a 10-play touchdown drive to take a lead it would safely hold on to the rest of the afternoon.

It was a 16-yard run by senior tailback Michael Carter that capped the Tar Heels’ first drive, which was simply a sign of things to come as Carter and backfield partner Javonte Williams ran roughshod all over the Wolfpack (4-2) from start to finish.

Williams led the team with 160 yards on the ground and three touchdowns after dropping a critical pass late in last week’s loss, while Carter added 46 receiving yards to go along with his 106 rushing yards and first quarter scoring run.

Quarterback Sam Howell was sharp as well, throwing for 252 yards and a score, but it was the running backs who once again stole the spotlight for head coach Mack Brown and company. 

“Football is a game about who’s more physical,” Brown said. “Who wins the rushing battle. And who wins the turnover battle. We won both of those today.” 

The UNC defense also asserted itself in this game, keeping the same level of play it showed in the second half last weekend against Florida State.

NC State was forced into a quarterback change in the first half–going from Bailey Hockman to freshman Ben Finley–only to switch back later on when the Tar Heels had figured Finley out.

In addition to a solid performance against the pass, UNC completely shut down the Wolfpack’s dominant rushing attack–holding the boys from Raleigh to just 34 yards on the ground.

The Tar Heels also racked up three sacks, three interceptions and recovered a fumble in what was by far their most complete performance of the season. 

“I’m really proud of the guys to bounce back, because we played hard in the second half [last] Saturday night but we didn’t play well,” Brown said. “This game’s about emotions. Everybody’s got scholarships. Everybody’s got good players.” 

In a rare change of pace for a team that has the majority of its games come down to the wire, the UNC starters hardly saw the field in the fourth quarter.

The Tar Heels have now earned blowout victories over the Wolfpack in each of the last two years—asserting themselves in the rivalry the same way they did on the field Saturday.

This was a prime opportunity for UNC to put last week’s loss in the rear-view mirror with a win over a ranked opponent and a rival. It’s safe to say the Tar Heels took full advantage and then some. 

“It’s just a game that is a great teacher of life lessons for our guys,” Brown said. “Because they have to get ready to play every week at the highest level of emotion that they can. And passion. When we do that, we’re pretty good.” 

Up Next:

The Tar Heels hit the road next weekend for a game at Virginia on Halloween night. Kick-off for that game is set for 8 p.m.

Game Notes:

  • Sam Howell eclipsed 5,000 career passing yards in this, just his 18th game at the college level. This moved him past Ronald Curry into fifth place on the UNC all-time list.
  • This was the first time that the Tar Heels have forced multiple turnovers this season.
  • Javonte Williams entered the day alongside two-time reigning ACC Player of the Year Travis Etienne as the only running backs in the country with at least 400 rushing yards and 200 receiving yards.
  • Chazz Surratt led the UNC defense with a team-high eight tackles, a sack, forced fumble and an interception

 

FINAL STATS

 

 

Cover photo via ACC Media

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