In the first half of the North Carolina football team’s matchup with East Carolina at Kenan Stadium, it was the team from Greenville that played by the Tar Heels’ motto — Smart, Fast and Physical.
The Pirates have 311 total yards of offense, led by a four touchdown performance from quarterback Shane Carden, and lead UNC 28-10 at half time.
ECU’s 14-point lead is its largest against UNC since 1975 when the team defeated the Tar Heels 38-17.
After UNC won the toss and elected to defer until the second half, the Pirates showed off their own version of the no-huddle offense, opening the game with an 11-play, 73-yard touchdown drive in 3:32 — less than 20 seconds per play.
East Carolina went 56 yards on eight plays in 2:15 to extend its lead to 14-0 in the first quarter after safety Chip Thompson intercepted quarterback Bryn Renner’s pass on UNC’s previous possession.
Penalties have really hurt the Tar Heels this afternoon. UNC’s first touchdown of the day — a 35-yard catch from senior tailback A.J. Blue, who made his first start of the year in place of injured sophomore Romar Morris — was nullified after offensive lineman Caleb Peterson was called for an illegal block.
The Tar Heels have been called for seven penalties for 64 yards — two yards shy of the team’s rushing yards, 66.
Following a Thomas Moore field goal on the drive Blue’s touchdown was called back, UNC crossed the goal line for the first time on a trick play as sophomore wide receiver Quinshad Davis found an open redshirt sophomore T.J. Thorpe in the end zone. The pass was Davis’ first attempt of his career and the first career receiving touchdown for Thorpe, who started today in place of an injured Sean Tapley.
Though both Morris and Tapley are injured, they are suited up on the sidelines.
Carden has completed 19 of 28 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. The junior quarterback also has two rushing touchdowns.
Renner has connected on just 11 of his 23 passes for 153 yards, having failed to throw a touchdown in the first half.
For the second consecutive year, the Tar Heels are facing ECU in its first fourth game of the season with a 1-2 record, looking to avoid falling two games under .500.
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