The North Carolina Tar Heels should’ve dominated NC Central from opening kickoff on Saturday night, but instead, it took nearly the whole game.
UNC led the Eagles just 17-10 after three quarters. Omarion Hampton scored a couple of second quarter touchdowns, while the Tar Heel defense continued to keep NCCU out of the end zone after its first drive, but North Carolina couldn’t decide between Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell at quarterback.
Saturday’s game changed quickly in the final 15 minutes, with the Tar Heels scoring 28 fourth quarter points en route to a 45-10 victory. The Tar Heels ended their night with 513 offensive yards.
Hampton continued his strong first half in UNC’s dominant fourth quarter, scoring another touchdown and finishing his night with 210 rushing yards. Tonight was Hampton’s second career 200-yard outing, as he tallied 234 yards and three scores in North Carolina’s double-overtime win against App State last year.
The Tar Heel defense played well in the second half as a whole, but particularly the fourth quarter. Kaleb Cost cemented UNC’s rock-solid defense, making an acrobatic interception to set up Hampton’s third touchdown.
After allowing NC Central to score 10 first half points, North Carolina didn’t allow a single second-half point. All 21 of the Tar Heels’ second-half points were unanswered.
UNC welcomes James Madison to Kenan Stadium next week, ending its 3-game homestand.
While tonight wasn’t pretty throughout, the fourth quarter showed just how dangerous North Carolina can be when it’s clicking.
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