UNC Tar Heels Football Team Keeps Bowl Hopes Alive
by Derrick Clyburn
North Carolina’s Michael Carter (8) carries the ball as Mercer’s Eric Jackson (7) attempts a tackle during an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
The Tar Heels football team keep their bowl hopes alive. They took care of business against Mercer. UNC controlled the game from start to finish and had a chance to play a lot of young players who don’t regularly see the field.
Today’s game in the rain was a tune-up that will set the stage for the finale against NC State. If the Tar Heels win next week they will be bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.
UNC Game Stats
UNC Total Offense – 537yards
Rushing 161 Passing 376
UNC Passing: Sam Howell 10-13-152 yds 3TDs
UNC Rushing: Michael Carter 9-159yds 3TD’s, Antonio Williams 9-65yds 1TD, Josh Henderson 13-98yds, British Brooks 3-10yds 1TD
UNC Receiving: Dyami Brown 3-83yds 1 TD, Emery Simmons 1-33yds 1 TD, Jake Bargas 1-4yds 1TD
MU Total Offense: 329 yards
MU Passing: Quentin Harris 22-39-229yds 1 TD 1 Int
MU Rushing: Deon Jackson 19-91yds
MU Receiving: Scott Bracey 5-62yds 1TD
UNC Bright Spots
Sam Howell threw for 152 yards and three touchdowns to break the single-season record for touchdowns set by Mitch Trubisky with 30. Howell currently has 32.
Michael Carter ran 9 times for 159 yards and 3 TD’s.
Dyami Brown caught 3 passes for 83 yards and 1 TD.
Needs Work
The offense must run the ball better in the red zone. UNC only had 4 rushing touchdowns before today’s game.
Final Observations
North Carolina did what they were supposed to do against a team like Mercer. They didn’t have any letdowns and controlled the game from the start.
UNC is now one game from bowl eligibility. They must put together a complete performance and beat NC State next week.
This is a good prep game for our Super Bowl game next week.