North Carolina hosted Virginia this Saturday in what is often referred to as the “South’s Oldest Rivalry.” The Tar Heels had won seven straight against the Cavaliers coming into the game, but that streak was brought to an end.
Before the game kicked off, a somewhat surprising lineup change was announced.
#UNC will start QB Brandon Harris vs. Virginia, sources tell @RossMartin_IC
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
The game started off slow, with the first three possessions resulting in punts.
Carolina forces an early UVA punt and @Checkout_Marv returns it 31 yards to the UNC 36, where the Tar Heels will take over, 12:28 1Q.
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 14, 2017
Different QB, same result. UNC opens the game with a three-and-out.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
On its second drive, the Heels got into UVA territory only to miss a field goal.
Heels come up empty as a 36-yard field goal attempt sails wide left. We're still scoreless, 7:25 1Q.
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 14, 2017
Again, it was a slow start, especially for UNC.
End of 1Q: UNC 0, UVa 0
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
More 1Q struggles for UNC. UVa outgains the Heels 102-31 and runs nearly four times as many plays (25-8).
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
Virginia had seven first downs in the first quarter. UNC ran eight plays.
— C Jackson Cowart (@CJacksonCowart) October 14, 2017
UVA got the first points of the game with a field goal.
Heels hold UVA to a short field goal to cap a 18-play drive. Cavaliers lead 3-0, 14:17 2Q.
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 14, 2017
Brandon Harris’ turnover struggles continued.
Harris intercepted on a deep pass to Ratliff-Williams. Bryce Hall returns the pick 36 yards.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
That was a glorious punt by Brandon Harris. Just hung it right up there inside the 10.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 14, 2017
Wait, what?
A couple punts later, Virginia put together a long drive ending in a touchdown.
Benkert finds Butts for a 9-yard completion to the 1-yard line. Looked like a TD score. Play under review.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
Make that a 10-yard TD pass from Benkert to Butts. UVa leads 10-0. 57 seconds to play 2Q.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
The Tar Heels went scoreless into halftime with another ugly display of offense.
Halftime:
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 14, 2017
Virginia 10 | Carolina 0#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/YLZMbYSIXk
Second time in three games UNC has been held scoreless in the first half. Only scored seven points in the 1H vs. Notre Dame.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
Here's the ugly first half numbers for #UNC ... 75 total yards (56 rush, 14 pass) ... 46 penalty yards. 1 turnover. 1 missed FG, 25 plays
— Brett Friedlander (@BFriedACC) October 14, 2017
Carolina picked things up to start the second half behind the legs of Michael Carter...
BIG PLAY! @Scientist_Mike breaks free on second and short and rumbles 56 yards inside the UVA 15!
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 14, 2017
UNC had the same number of total yards in the first half (75) as it had in that first drive of the second half.
— R.L. Bynum (@RL_Bynum) October 14, 2017
And his success continued.
Carter explodes again, this time for a 47-yard TD run. UNC leads 14-10 3Q.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
Carter is up to a career-high 122 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
A few possessions later, UVA responded with a one-play score of their own.
UVA back in front after Zaccheaus takes a short pass from Benkert 81 yards for a touchdown. It's 17-14, 3:25 3Q.
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 14, 2017
Zaccheaus' 81 yard TD is longest reception by UVa vs UNC since 1973, third longest ever by UVa vs. UNC
— Shawn Krest (@ShawnKrest) October 14, 2017
Then came yet another interception from Harris.
Harris picked off for the third time today. Hit as he threw the ball. UVa ball at the UNC 30.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
This is Brandon Harris' first career game with three interceptions. He's also never thrown for fewer than 50 yards on more than 12 attempts.
— C Jackson Cowart (@CJacksonCowart) October 14, 2017
After a Virginia field goal and a UNC punt, it looked like the Cavaliers were about to ice the game until...
Ohh baby!! Cayson Collins, the Berry Academy product, recovers Virginia's 1st fumble of the season. Tar Heels down 20-14 with 2:56 left.
— Matt Harris (@MHarrisWSOC9) October 14, 2017
Benkert fumbles on 3rd-and-long and Cayson Collins recovers. UNC ball at its 40 down 20-14 with 2:56 to play.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
Brandon Harris drove the Tar Heels into UVA territory with a chance to win the game.
UNC continues to generate a ground game and has a 1st-and-10 inside UVa’s 40. Under two minutes to play.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
However, a controversial no-call on a facemask penalty ended their drive and the game.
Charlie Heck beat off the right side and Harris is sacked on fourth down. A critical face mask was missed.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 14, 2017
That’s what we’re doing now? Missing blatant face masks?
— Ryan Switzer (@Switz) October 14, 2017
North Carolina suffered its first loss to Virginia since 2009 and fell to 1-6 on the season.
Final: Virginia 20, UNC 14. The Tar Heels fall to 1-6 on the season. Will travel to Virginia Tech next weekend.
— Rodd Baxley (@RoddBaxley) October 14, 2017
While the offense failed to get going through the air, Michael Carter flashed some serious speed on the ground. The defense, minus a few big plays, put in another pretty solid game given how much they had to be on the field. The Tar Heels will try to pull off a major upset as they head to Blacksburg next week.