Entering Saturday’s match-up against Virginia, the North Carolina football team was riding a five-game win streak for the 2015 season and a five-game win streak versus the Cavaliers.
And after a 26-13 victory over Virginia, the Tar Heels (6-1, 3-0 ACC) extended both of those streaks to six.
Virginia (2-5, 1-2 ACC) and UNC combined for 269 yards of total offense in the first quarter. After junior receiver Mack Hollins fumbled on the opening drive, the Cavaliers took advantage by scoring a field goal.
But on the next possession, junior running back TJ Logan scampered into the endzone after a 75-yard drive. However, the Cavaliers immediately responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive of their own, taking a 10-7 lead.
In the second quarter, a touchdown by sophomore running back Elijah Hood gave UNC a 13-10 lead. But a late interception by fifth-year senior quarterback Marquise Williams gave Virginia the opportunity to kick a field goal and tie the game before halftime.
Early in the second half, an interception by senior safety Sam Smiley set up a UNC field goal. And to open the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels moved ahead 23-13 after a three-yard touchdown run by Hood.
On the Cavalier’s ensuing possession, Virginia quarterback Matt Johns was intercepted by senior cornerback Malik Simmons. The Tar Heels capitalized with a field goal, increasing the lead to 26-13, where it would remain for the rest of the contest. In the second half, Virginia made only one trip to the red zone, but the drive ended after senior linebacker Shakeel Rashad intercepted Johns in the end zone.
Quotable
“It’s not about all the adjustments and speeches and all that. It’s really just staying calm and being patient with the guys and talking them through what’s really happening and then letting them adjust.” — Coach Larry Fedora on the defenses' second half performance.
