UNC football downs Virginia 35-14 to maintain Coastal hopes

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA — In its 700th win in program history, the No. 22 North Carolina football team (6-2, 4-1 ACC) claimed a 35-14 victory over Virginia (2-5, 1-2 ACC) at Scott Stadium. The win extends the Tar Heels' road winning streak to nine games.

What happened?

The game started well for the UNC offense, with redshirt junior Mitch Trubisky completing his first seven passes. And after a 23-yard punt from Virginia gave the Tar Heels good starting field position, junior Elijah Hood scored from four yards out to put the opening points on the board.

After dinking and dunking their way down the field, the Virginia offense faced a fourth down in the red zone. The Cavaliers caught the Tar Heels completely off guard with a fake field goal pass for a wide-open touchdown.

The Tar Heels would respond on the very next drive with their own trick play. After coming out in the wildcat formation, senior Ryan Switzer reversed the ball to Trubisky, who connected with senior Bug Howard for a touchdown.

The Tar Heels doubled their lead on Trubisky’s second touchdown pass of the game, this one to junior receiver Thomas Jackson. Virginia was putting together another long drive until a fumbled handoff gave the ball back to UNC, which extended its lead to 21 on a T.J. Logan touchdown run.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter before the Tar Heels buried the Cavaliers for the final nine minutes of the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Who stood out?

In what has been a down season for Hood to this point, he started the game well for the Tar Heels. In the first quarter, he totaled 46 yards on only six carries and added a score. After a few big runs in the second quarter, he ended the half with 69 rushing yards on nine carries.

Hood stood out for his team when it needed him in the third quarter, moving the chains with tackle-breaking runs on critical third downs. He ended his day with his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season, totaling 107 yards on 16 carries.

When was it decided?

With 9:01 left in the game, Virginia senior tailback Taquan Mizzell pushed the ball into the end zone to cut the Tar Heel lead to two touchdowns. One stop would have given the Cavaliers a chance to get back in the game.

But the UNC offense responded with a two-play drive capped off by a 46-yard touchdown pass to Austin Proehl, effectively ending any chance for a Virginia comeback.

Why does it matter?

This win is a good way to finish what has been a tough month for the Tar Heels. They opened the month playing three consecutive ranked opponents, two of which came on the road. This win gives UNC momentum heading into the bye week and keeps the team's ACC Coastal Division title hopes alive.

Where do they play next?

The Tar Heels head home for a bye week before playing Georgia Tech on Nov. 5th at Kenan Stadium.