In perhaps the most embarrassing defeat of head coach Larry Fedora’s six-year tenure, the UNC football team allowed No. 14 Virginia Tech to reel off 52 consecutive points on the way to a 59-7 win.

The last time UNC played a game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, it was 2015 and the Tar Heels were clinching their first ACC Coastal Division title while handing longtime Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer a loss in his final home game.

The Hokies made up for that game and then some on Saturday, as they handed the Tar Heels their worst defeat since Fedora became coach in 2012.

UNC managed to put itself down by two touchdowns in the first quarter without the defense having any role in it.

Virginia Tech defensive tackle Ricky Walker (8) and defensive end Trevon Hill (94) sack UNC quarterback Chazz Surratt (12). (AP Photo/Don Petersen)

Quarterback Chazz Surratt fumbled under pressure and saw the Hokies return it for their first touchdown. Then punter Tom Sheldon—one of UNC’s steadiest performers this season—had one of his kicks returned 91 yards for a score.

Those plays would ultimately serve as the perfect symbols for how the rest of the game would go for Fedora and the Tar Heels.

“From the very beginning, we couldn’t get anything going,” Fedora said afterwards. “The defense hung in there for a while but eventually got overran.”

Right from the get-go, it was clear that nothing was working for UNC. The patchwork offensive line served as revolving doors for the fearsome Virginia Tech defense, while the group of young Tar Heel receivers seemed to drop as many passes as the eight they actually caught.

Fedora used a total of three quarterbacks in the game, with none finding any level of success. UNC finished with just 118 yards through the air.

Just as Brandon Harris appeared to be leading a promising drive in the second quarter, he promptly threw an interception which was returned 69 yards for another Virginia Tech touchdown.

Only a 43-yard touchdown pass from Surratt to Anthony Ratliff-Williams at the start of the fourth quarter prevented UNC from being shut out for the first time under Fedora.

By that point, however, the Tar Heels were trailing by 52 points and the outcome had been decided long before.

Virginia Tech needed less than 400 yards on offense to complete the blowout, largely due to UNC’s numerous mistakes.

Head coach Justin Fuente turned to his backups for most of the second half, and gave nine different players a rushing attempt.

Up Next:

Another tough opponent awaits the Tar Heels next Saturday, as No. 8 Miami–riding an 11-game win streak–will travel to Kenan Stadium. That game is scheduled to kick off at noon.

Game Notes:

  • The previous worst loss under Fedora came last season against Virginia Tech at home, a game played in hurricane conditions. The Hokies won that game 34-3.
  • It was the worst loss against any team that UNC has suffered since losing to Louisville 69-14 back in 2005.
  • Brandon Harris left the game with an undisclosed injury in the second half, and watched the rest of the action in street clothes.
  • The Tar Heels finished the game with third-string quarterback Nathan Elliot behind center.

 

 

FINAL STATS

 

Cover photo via Matt Gentry (Associated Press)

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