The North Carolina football team (4-4, 1-3 ACC) defeated the Virginia Cavaliers (4-4, 2-3 ACC), 41-14, on Saturday afternoon at Scott Stadium.
Anchored by a defense that completed ten sacks – the most since 2000 – and a 128 yard, two touchdown, performance from graduate wide receiver JJ Jones, the Tar Heels ended their four-game losing streak with a decisive win.
“The team that's in this locker room is better than the one that everybody sees," head coach Mack Brown said. "And that's just that's not the way this is supposed to work.”
UNC’s first possession went three-and-out. Quick completions from graduate quarterback Jacolby Criswell to graduate receiver Nate McCollum were not enough to advance the Tar Heels downfield.
A sack from graduate defensive Alijah Huzzie inhibited UVA’s progress after UNC allowed a punt return for 24 yards. Still, UVA sophomore quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed a pass to put the Cavaliers at the 1-yardline. After a high snap that cost UVA 11 yards and two incomplete passes from Colandrea, UVA capitalized on a 30-yard field goal opportunity.
On their next possession, UNC gained two first downs to bring them into UVA territory. A holding penalty moved North Carolina back ten yards, but a 19-year scramble from Criswell allowed UNC to get the first down on the following possession.
Despite being rushed by the defense, Criswell completed a pass to Jones. He rushed 37 yards into the endzone for UNC’s first score, tallying a 7-3 lead.
The UNC defense shone on the next UVA possession, sacking Colandrea twice. Their short kick left UNC to start on the Cavaliers' 47-yard line.
Junior running back Omarion Hampton then gained yardage on three consecutive pitches, eventually completing the fourth down. After McCollum was taken down for nine yards and Criswell’s passes went incomplete, UNC was forced to punt.
