UNC Tar Heels Football Team Dominates NC State

by Derrick Isaiah Clyburn

• 

After a disappointing loss last week to Florida St., the North Carolina football team had a big bounce-back win against their in-state rival NC State on Saturday afternoon. This week the Tar Heels went back to their regular balanced offense between run and pass calls after a bizarre game plan last week to call a run-heavy offense scheme against Florida State. The change paid major dividends as the high-powered UNC offense went on to score 48 points.

The Heels dominated on the ground with more than 300 yards rushing and through the air with more than 250 yards passing. NC State had no answer for them. The defense also played a good game forcing NC State to switch quarterbacks in the middle of the game.

The North Carolina defense forced four turnovers for the game and held the Wolfpack offense to just two touchdowns until they scored a late touchdown in the game with the reserves getting time. On the Wolfpack’s last drive of the game, UNC defensive back Cameron Roseman-Sinclair intercepted a pass to end the game in what was an overall dominant 48-21 win for the Tar Heels.

UNC Game Stats

UNC Total Offense – 578 yards

Rushing 326 Passing 252

UNC Passing: Sam Howell 18-29-252 yds 1TD

UNC Rushing: Michael Carter 17-106 yds 1TD, Javonte Williams 19-160 yds 3TDs,

UNC Receiving: Dyami Brown 7-105 yds, Michael Carter 2-46 yds, Emery Simmons 5-38 yds, Garrett Walston 2-32 yds Josh Downs, 1-17 yds 1TD

NC State Total Offense – 392 yards

NC State Passing: Bailey Hockman 14-24-215 yds 1TD 1 INT, Ben Finley 13-20 143 yds 1TD 2INTS

NC State Rushing: Zonovan Knight 9-41 yds

NC State Receiving: Emeka Emezie 4-84 yds 1TD, Anthony Smith 4-63 yds 1TD

UNC Bright Spots

Sam Howell threw for 252 yards and a touchdown, and had a rushing touchdown.

Javonte Williams rushed 19 times for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Michael Carter rushed 17 times for 106 yards and 1 touchdown

Josh Downs got his first receiving touchdown of his career.

Cameron Roseman-Sinclair and Don Chapman both had one interception each.

Chazz Surratt had an interception and a forced fumble.

Needs Work

The defense needs to do a better job of tackling as they missed several tackles again this week.

Sam Howell still needs to work on throwing the ball away instead of taking a sack.

Final Observations

North Carolina has dominated the Wolfpack in their last two games since Coach Mack has been back. They have scored 89 points in the last two matchups against NC State, which is the most the Tar Heels have ever scored against the Wolfpack in two straight games.

The UNC football team did a good job bouncing back this week in impressive fashion after a disappointing loss to Florida State last week. They are still in good position to compete for a spot in the ACC championship game. The Heels must continue to get better each game on both sides of the football.

The defense needs to make sure they clean up their tackling issues to make their unit even better and the offense just needs to trust and use their weapons and talent out there on the field. Going forward the Tar Heels cannot take anyone lightly on their schedule because they are no longer being the hunters when teams go up against them but are now being the hunted.