It wouldn’t be another UNC-NC State football game unless North Carolina had a fourth-quarter lead – only to blow it in dramatic fashion.
On Saturday night, the Tar Heels entered the fourth quarter with a 20-13 advantage.
When the final seconds ticked off the Kenan Stadium clock, North Carolina left the field with a 35-30 loss, its fourth-straight to the Wolfpack (6-6, 3-5 ACC).
UNC’s defense played well in the first half, limiting NC State quarterback CJ Bailey to just three completions and the entire Wolfpack offense to just one touchdown. NC State only had 89 yards of offense in the ENTIRE first half.
No matter what plays the Wolfpack ran in the second half, no matter who was carrying or catching the football, the Tar Heels couldn’t stop ANYONE in the second half. NC State scored on all six of its second-half possessions, gaining 373 yards in doing so.
Wolfpack kicker Kanoah Vinesett converted a pair of 40-yard field goals in the third quarter and added another in the fourth. Bailey, who finished his night with 242 passing yards, threw touchdown passes to Dante Daniels and Kevin Concepcion (a name UNC fans know all too well). Oklahoma transfer Hollywood Smothers scored the game-winning touchdown with 25 seconds left, finishing his night with 83 yards and two touchdowns.
North Carolina’s second-half offense was phenomenal, too, highlighted by another huge day from Omarion Hampton. The Tar Heels’ star junior back carried the football 22 times for 185 yards and a touchdown, plus he added 65 yards and a receiving touchdown – on a shovel-pass from Jacolby Criswell – we all hoped would be the game-winner.
UNC actually outgained NC State, 468-462, in total yardage.
It would’ve been great for North Carolina to send Mack Brown out with a victory, but like so many times in recent years, another disappointing loss resulted instead.
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