UNC Tar Heels Football Team Clinches the Coastal Division Title With a Comeback Win Over the Demon Deacons

by Derrick Clyburn

The North Carolina football team was able to clinch the Coastal Division Title tonight by defeating the Demon Deacons 36-34. It wasn’t an easy game or a pretty game, but the Tar Heels found a way to pull out the victory. The defense made enough plays including an interception by Cam Kelly that changed the momentum in the fourth quarter which led to the game-winning field goal.

Drake Maye had another phenomenal game throwing for 448 yards and 3 touchdowns and Josh Downs had 11 catches for 154 and 3 touchdowns. That duo of Maye to Downs caused problems for Wake Forest all game.

UNC Game Stats

UNC Total Offense- 584 yards

Rushing 136 Passing 448

UNC Passing: Drake Maye 31-49-448 yards 3 TDs

UNC Rushing: Elijah Green 18-66 yards 1TD, Drake Maye 17-61 yards 1 TD

UNC Receiving: Josh Downs 11-154 yards 3 TDs, Antoine Green 4-81 yards

Wake Total Offense– 490 yards

Wake Passing: Sam Hartman 18-31-350 yards 4 TDs, 1 INT

Wake Rushing: Justice Ellison 16-81 yards, Christian Turner 12-41 yards 1 TD

Wake Receiving: Taylor Morin 5-106 yards 1 TD, Donavon Greene 4-85 yards 2 TDs, A.T. Perry 5-63 yards 1 TD

UNC Bright Spots

Drake Maye threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 61 yards and one touchdown.

Josh Downs had 11 catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

Elijah Green had 66 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, and one touchdown. 

Needs Work

The defensive line needs to do a better job of getting penetration in the backfield and getting more pressure on the quarterback which results in sacks. They are giving the opposing quarterback entirely too much time in the pocket

The rushing defense has to be much better. They need to do a better job of tackling in space and being in their gaps to stop huge running plays.

When it’s time to put the game away offensively, the offensive play-calling cannot be conservative because it allows teams to stick around in the game. It can give the opponent new life and a chance actually to win the game.

Final Observations

North Carolina moves to 9-1 on the season and 6-0 in ACC play. They have clinched the ACC Coastal Division Title with two games remaining. The Tar Heels won ugly again but a win is a win, is a win. The defense held Wake Forest scoreless in the 4th quarter and they did enough to keep the Deacons from getting into scoring position. They are 6-0 on the road this season which has been the difference in how North Carolina has clinched the Coastal Division. Next Up is Georgia Tech on Saturday at 5:30 pm.