3 things to note at halftime, where N.C. State leads UNC football 21-7

In a game that has been scrappy, sluggish and surprising, the North Carolina football team faces a tall task heading into halftime.

Donning black jerseys and clinging to its ACC Coastal title hopes, UNC (8-3, 5-2 ACC) led a promising opening drive into N.C. State territory before punting it away. But since then, the advantage has gone to the Wolfpack (5-6, 2-5 ACC), which needs a win to secure bowl eligibility.

A trick play put N.C. State on the board first, but a missed field goal from 26 yards out dampened the Wolfpack momentum. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels have looked disjointed all afternoon, and a midfield scuffle in the second quarter — in which Jalen Dalton got ejected for throwing a punch — wasn't enough to spark a comeback before the break.

Here are three things to note from the first half, where N.C. State holds a 21-7 lead.

Tackling

It's been the Matthew Dayes show at Kenan Stadium, and the Tar Heels are just watching.

Through the opening 30 minutes, the N.C. State running back has tallied 81 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. The senior has bullied the North Carolina defense, hurdling over would-be tacklers and dragging defenders into the end zone with ease. The Tar Heels' much-maligned rush defense has been its Achilles heel for much of the year, and the Wolfpack has taken advantage.

N.C. State's other rushers have impressed, as well, totaling 165 yards on 29 attempts. In the previous 24 meetings between these two schools, the team with the rushing advantage won the game. So far, this game is keeping with tradition.

Turnovers

Each side has only turned the ball over once — but both teams have converted them into touchdowns.

On the first play of UNC's second drive, a botched handoff between Mitch Trubisky and Elijah Hood gave N.C. State the ball on the North Carolina 29-yard line. Four plays later, the Wolfpack held a two-touchdown edge.

But midway through the second quarter, N.C. State succumbed to a similar gaffe. At the end of a 10-yard run on the first play of the series, Matthew Dayes coughed up the rock and M.J. Stewart recovered to give the Tar Heels new life.

Five plays later, Trubisky found Ryan Switzer for UNC's only score of the first half.

Trubisky

The Tar Heels' offense hasn't put much together this afternoon, but Trubisky has done his best to carry the team.

The redshirt junior quarterback finished the first half 8-for-16 for 67 yards and a score — but his modest stat line hasn't been aided by his receiving corps. The Tar Heels have dropped ball after ball in crucial situations, stalling the offense and leaving Trubisky few options in the passing game.

The Mentor, Ohio, native has improvised with his feet, netting 35 yards on five carries thus far. But if North Carolina hopes to dig out of its sizable halftime deficit, Trubisky will need some help.

@CJacksonCowart

sports@dailytarheel.com