NCAAF

North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers

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Final
41 - 14
4-4, 2-3 Home

Hampton, Jones have big days, Tar Heels end skid 41-14 over Virginia

UNC DL makes ridiculous 84-yard pick six

“We’ve played good at times this year. We haven’t played consistent,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said. “And that’s been our problem. They’re growing up. … Today was a great step forward.”

The Tar Heels (4-4, 1/3 Atlantic Coast Conference) buried a month’s worth of frustration by dominating the second and third quarters to end their longest losing streak since 2018.

Virginia (4-4, 2-3) endured a dismal offensive day, not scoring a touchdown until backup quarterback Tony Muskett connected with JR Wilson for a 68-yard score with 10:07 left and the outcome no longer in doubt.

“I didn’t see anything like this coming,” said Virginia tight end Tyler Neville.

The Tar Heels outgained Virginia 428 yards to 288 and held the Cavaliers to a 6-for-16 showing on third down.

Virginia, loser of three in a row, struggled to block North Carolina, which racked up 10 sacks. That was the most sacks in a game by the Heels since recording 10 against Wake Forest in 2000.

Kaimon Rucker had three of them and Beau Atkinson added two as the Tar Heels dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Virginia played with a rejiggered offensive line, sliding guard Noah Josey to center with starter Brian Stevens and backup Ty Furnish out Saturday. Trouble for Josey struck early when his errant snap at the North Carolina 1-yard line led to an 11-yard loss and cost the Cavaliers an early chance for a touchdown.

Virginia settled for a field goal before Carolina broke loose and led 38-6 going into the fourth quarter, sending the Tar Heels on their way to the most lopsided outcome in this rivalry since 2013.

“I owe an apology to the administration, to the players in the locker room, the staff,” said Virginia coach Tony Elliott. “I did not do a good job of having them prepared to play. What you saw out there today, that’s on me. I have two weeks to really figure it out.”

The Takeaway North Carolina: The Tar Heels put their open date to good use and played their most complete and impressive game of the year, striking for big plays in both the passing and running game, while getting a smothering performance from their defense.

Virginia: The Cavaliers weren’t competitive in what was considered the most winnable remaining game on their schedule. Now, heading into its open date, Virginia faces a brutal final four games, three on the road, still needing a pair of victories to become bowl eligible for the first time under third-year coach Tony Elliott.

A moment for Craft Before the game, Virginia observed a moment of silence for North Carolina’s Tylee Craft, who died from cancer earlier this month. Afterward, Brown revealed that Elliott had his Cavaliers players write the Tar Heels sympathy notes that they gave them before the game.

“That just doesn’t happen anymore, that sportsmanship,” Brown said.

More from Omarion Hampton went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season, becoming the ninth Tar Heel to post multiple seasons with at least 1,000 and the first since Michael Carter did it in 2019 and 2020.

Catching on Virginia wide receiver Malachi Fields didn’t waste any time extending his streak of consecutive games with a catch. On the Cavaliers’ first offensive play, Fields caught a short pass from Colandrea for 7 yards, the 23rd straight contest he’s had at least one reception.

Up next North Carolina: Visits Florida State on Saturday

Virginia: Has a bye before going to Pittsburgh on Nov. 9

How To Watch

How can I watch North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Virginia Cavaliers?
  • TV Channel: Tar Heels at Cavaliers 2021 College Football, week 9, is broadcasted on The CW Network.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Matchup Prediction

Cavaliers: 56.5%
Tar Heels: 43.5%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Scoring Summary

UVA FG 1st Period 8:36 Will Bettridge 30 Yd Field Goal
UNC TD 1st Period 5:23 J.J. Jones 37 Yd pass from Jacolby Criswell (Noah Burnette Kick)
UNC FG 2nd Period 7:51 Noah Burnette 30 Yd Field Goal
UVA FG 2nd Period 4:02 Will Bettridge 27 Yd Field Goal
UNC TD 2nd Period 1:32 Omarion Hampton 3 Yd Run (Noah Burnette Kick)
UNC TD 2nd Period 0:05 J.J. Jones 31 Yd pass from Jacolby Criswell (Noah Burnette Kick)
UNC TD 3rd Period 12:07 Omarion Hampton 8 Yd Run (Noah Burnette Kick)
UNC TD 3rd Period 0:17 Jahvaree Ritzie 84 Yd Interception Return (Noah Burnette Kick)
UVA TD 4th Period 10:07 JR Wilson 68 Yd pass from Tony Muskett (Tony Muskett Pass to Dakota Twitty for Two-Point Conversion)
UNC FG 4th Period 5:05 Noah Burnette 25 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/153.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originUNC https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/258.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originUVA
23 1st Downs 17
7-14 3rd down efficiency 6-16
1-2 4th down efficiency 1-3
428 Total Yards 288
293 Passing 281
19/31 Comp/Att 24/41
9.5 Yards per pass 6.9
135 Rushing 7
40 Rushing Attempts 29
3.4 Yards per rush 0.2
5-45 Penalties 5-45
0 Turnovers 2
0 Fumbles lost 0
0 Interceptions thrown 2
31:37 Possession 28:23

Game Information

Scott Stadium

Location: Charlottesville, VA
Attendance: 44,550 · Capacity:
Full Standings

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