If there is anything to take out of what is a lost football season for UNC, it is that they have undoubtedly played with a lot of heart deep into the season. The Heels came out of the tunnel yesterday determined to make a statement against the Miami Hurricanes, only to have any and everything go wrong in the 4th quarter.
Truth be told, I was fully prepared to fill this twitter recap with cute animal tweets. Alas, things got way too interesting for that to be a viable option. With that said, let’s get into it.
The first this-isn’t-even-a-little-surprising-anymore announcement for the game was that yet another UNC player would not participate in the game.
UNC will be without 22 players due to injury vs. No. 8 Miami. Backup QB Brandon Harris is in street clothes.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 28, 2017
Some more news from the game came from the basketball side, as five-star 2018 target Zion Williamson was in attendance.
Five-star SF Zion Williamson chopping it up with #UNC senior Theo Pinson inside Kenan Stadium on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/NQpSvYSvrd
— Ross Martin (@RossMartin_IC) October 28, 2017
After the two teams traded three-and-outs during the first drives of the game, Jordan Brown busted out a 56-yard run to jumpstart UNC’s offense.
BIG PLAY! @TherealJordon rumbles 56 yards on first down and the Tar Heels are in Miami territory! pic.twitter.com/MtZU1HWNVR
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 28, 2017
Following Brown’s explosive play, UNC’s offense managed to keep the momentum going and Jordan Brown managed to find his way into the end zone, only to have the call overruled.
TD overruled, UNC 2nd and goal inside the 1
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) October 28, 2017
UNC could not manage to get into the end zone following the reversed call.
Surratt sacked for a 10-yard loss on 4th-and-goal at the 1. Miami takes over. Brutal sequence of events.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 28, 2017
With about six minutes left in the first quarter, QB Chazz Surratt rolled out to his left and got leveled after attempting to complete a pass to Beau Corrales.
Surratt is hurt because that's how it has gone this year. He got up and went right back down. Harris is out for the game, soooo
— Tar Heel Blog (@tarheelblog) October 28, 2017
Nathan Elliott will enter at QB for #UNC.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 28, 2017
Nathan Elliott came into the game and completed a 33-yard pass to Anthony Ratliff-Williams off of a trick play. The Heels managed to find their way into the end zone but had to settle for a field goal with 4:52 left in the first quarter.
UNC 3, Miami 0. The Tar Heels could and should be up 14.
— Ross Martin (@RossMartin_IC) October 28, 2017
UNC has run 7 plays inside the Miami 5 and has 3 points.
— #DaHale (@DavidHaleESPN) October 28, 2017
Larry Fedora needs a hug.
At this point of the game, if anybody had told me that UNC would be winning against Miami I would have laughed. Alas, UNC managed to come out of the first quarter with a 3-0 lead.
End of the first quarter: UNC 3, Miami 0. Tar Heels with perhaps their best, most complete quarter of the season, outside of the ODU game.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) October 28, 2017
At the end of the first-quarter the #TarHeels are winning. I’m good. Let’s stop the game here. We win. Woo hoo! #GoHeels
— JD (@TweetinHotMusic) October 28, 2017
Early in the second quarter, UNC found themselves in the red zone yet again. After failing to convert on a third-and-long, UNC attempted a fake field goal but fell short at the 20 causing a turnover on downs.
That was a questionable call. You don't do that on 4th and 18. Maybe 4th and 8
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) October 28, 2017
With a little more than three minutes left in the second quarter, UNC managed to find their way into Miami territory yet again before kicking a field goal that would put them up 6-0.
UNC looking WORLDS better with a 3rd string QB, and only one scholarship RB on the field. #Wut? #IWillTakeIt #GoHeels
— Janson Silvers (@WHSVJanson) October 28, 2017
Following the drive, Miami finally had enough. QB Malik Rosier completed a 51-yard pass to Christopher Herndon for a touchdown.
Again... beyond predictable. 100% chance Miami was scoring a TD on that possession. Just how things are going this season.
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) October 28, 2017
Aaaaaand we’re back to reality
— UNC-Barstool (@UNCBarstool) October 28, 2017
UNC managed to prevent Miami from scoring on their final drive in the half and headed into the locker room only down by one point.
Well...that was one way to end the half. UNC trails 6-7, but I bet you didn't expect that.
— Tar Heel Blog (@tarheelblog) October 28, 2017
At the opening of the second half, Miami wasted no time finding their way into the end zone. Rozier threw a bomb to WR Jeff Thomas for their longest pass play of the season.
Malik Rosier to Jeff Thomas for a 78-yard touchdown 17 seconds into the third quarter—Hurricanes are taking control at UNC.
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) October 28, 2017
Welp. Long Miami td.. UNC is back.. Lol
— Johnathan Bell (@JohnWBell) October 28, 2017
North Carolina has now allowed 12 plays of 50+ yards this season. Only Tulsa has allowed more with 13.
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) October 28, 2017
As one can expect, things only got worse. After failing to convert on a third down, UNC was forced to punt only to have it blocked by Jonathan Garvin at UNC’s 13 yard line. UNC’s defense however managed to stop Miami from getting into the end zone, resulting in a field goal to make the score 17-6.
Punt blocked for second week in a row. Miami starts at UNC 13
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) October 28, 2017
Miami just blocked UNC's punt ruthlessly...wow!!!
— Maroon Men Podcast (@Maroon_Men) October 28, 2017
Heels keep Miami out of the end zone after the blocked punt, but the Canes get a field goal to make it 17-6 with 9:52 left in the third.
— Tar Heel Blog (@tarheelblog) October 28, 2017
UNC’s offense continued to find ways to move the ball, and it finally paid off. Nathan Elliott threw a lateral to WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams, who threw an 18-yard TD pass to Beau Corrales.
UNC goes back to the WR pass and Ratliff-Williams connects with Beau Corrales for an 18-yard TD pass. Miami leads 17-13. 3Q.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 28, 2017
UNC just flipped our “U” upside down after that TD ...just like they did two seasons ago, wow@CanesFootball
— The GMP ® (@The_GregP) October 28, 2017
And with the second unc double pass of the game my drink just got a whole lot stronger.
— Max P (@PLATypus4444) October 28, 2017
UNC’s defense continued to stifle Miami’s offense, but UNC’s offense started to struggle. Nathan Elliott threw two interceptions two drives in a row.
Elliott's last two pass attempts have been intercepted
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) October 28, 2017
Miami is out here like "no, you go ahead and take this game"
— Tar Heel Blog (@tarheelblog) October 28, 2017
UNC is like "couldn't possibly, you take it"
With less than 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter, UNC gave up their forth explosive pass play of the day eventually leading to a Miami TD to make the score 24-13.
And then it's a Miami touchdown. Berrios with a 5-yard scoring reception. It's Miami 24, UNC 13; 9:26 4Q.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) October 28, 2017
Terrible turn of events for the Heels, INT brought back, and three plays later Miami scores to take a 24-13 lead with 9:26 left.
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) October 28, 2017
If you thought Elliott was done throwing interceptions for the day, you are unfortunately wrong.
Johnson falls down on his route and Elliott’s pass is intercepted by Redwine. Miami ball at UNC’s 15.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 28, 2017
I’m in this @TarHeelFootball game until the end but man it’s getting rough out there.
— Arden McLaughlin (@lipstick_writer) October 28, 2017
Thankfully, there was J.K. Britt who picked off Rosier after Miami was backed up 15 yards following a chop block penalty.
First career INT for UNC safety J.K. Britt.
— Ross Martin (@RossMartin_IC) October 28, 2017
Malik keeping UNC in the game
— Deuces (@MarquisRomellB) October 28, 2017
This game very much seemed like it was over, Beau Corrales once again found himself in the end zone with 3:03 left in the game.
Beau Corrales has 2 TDs for UNC today. Both very impressive.
— Jeremy Karll (@JeremyKarll) October 28, 2017
Not over yet. UNC scores a TD with 3:03 left (2-point conversion fails) to cut Miami's lead to 24-19.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) October 28, 2017
From there, things just kept getting more and more interesting.
Don’t look now but UNC just recovered a fumble down by 5 with three minutes left to go.
— College FB (@CollegeFBdaily) October 28, 2017
UNC looked like they were about to march the ball down the field and potentially score, but then Jordan Brown lost the football and Miami recovered.
And Jordon brown fumbles, Miami recovers with 2:11 left and will have the ball at the 34
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) October 28, 2017
Oh man. Everything was going UNC's way on that drive, but then they turn it over yet again
— Alan (@MasonFanatic) October 28, 2017
From there Miami killed the rest of the clock and the game was over. Final score: Miami 24 UNC 19.
FINAL: No. 8 Miami 24, UNC 19
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) October 28, 2017
If you made it through this entire recap, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. To show my gratitude, I would like to leave you with this:
shadow boop pic.twitter.com/BWy6Jnz3GZ
— Animal Vines (@TheAnimalVines) October 28, 2017