Fourth quarter comeback falls short in UNC football's loss to Appalachian State

The North Carolina football team (2-2) lost to Appalachian State (3-0) in Chapel Hill on Saturday, 34-31. The Mountaineers scored on two key turnovers by the Tar Heels, who were unable to engineer another fourth quarter comeback win. 

What happened?

UNC started off on the right foot when Michael Carter returned the opening kick for 75 yards to Appalachian State's 21-yard-line. The Tar Heels scored on the first play from scrimmage, a 21-yard slant pass from first-year quarterback Sam Howell to junior receiver Dazz Newsome. The Mountaineers answered with a field goal to make the score 7-3.

On the next App State drive, what was nearly a sack for Zac Thomas turned into a huge gain as the quarterback scrambled up the right side of the field and past defenders for a 50-yard gain. Another field goal cut the Tar Heel lead to just one, 7-6. 

On the ensuing drive, Howell was sacked and fumbled the ball before it was picked up by defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor and returned for a touchdown, giving the Mountaineers their first lead of the game, 13-7. Later, Appalachian State's Darrynton Evans scored his team's second touchdown of the game with a 5-yard run to put his team up 20-7. 

Kicker Noah Ruggles' field goal to cut the Mountaineers' lead to 10, but a 31-yard rush by Evans set the Mountaineers up for another touchdown to go up 27-10.

UNC put together another successful drive to end the half, with back-to-back long passes from Howell to sophomore receiver Dyami Brown. Two more chunk plays to Carl Tucker and Beau Corrales got UNC to the App State 11-yard line before a screen pass to Michael Carter resulted in a touchdown for North Carolina just before the break. At halftime, the Tar Heels trailed 27-17.

In the third quarter, the two teams traded three-and-outs before North Carolina received the ball at its own 2-yard line with 10 minutes left in the quarter. A long drive set up a 12-yard touchdown pass from Howell to senior tight end Carl Tucker. 

App State answered with a five play drive to find its way back to the end zone, with Evans rushing for his third touchdown of the game to go up 34-24. 

The Tar Heels made it a one-possession game late in the fourth quarter with an eight-play, 80-yard drive down the field. On the App State 2-yard line, Howell reeled in a bad snap before battling for the first rushing touchdown of his career. 

It ultimately wasn't enough for UNC, though, with the defense unable to stop the Mountaineers before it was too late. The Tar Heels received a Mountaineer punt with just 30 seconds left in the game, and Ruggles' 56-yard attempt was blocked, handing UNC its second loss of the year, 34-31.

Who stood out?

Howell had one of the most up-and-down games of his short career. He threw three touchdowns, the first Tar Heel to do so since Nathan Elliot against NC State in 2017. But he also had his first career interception, and then his second — the latter killing the momentum on a potential scoring drive. 

When was it decided?

North Carolina had engineered two fourth quarter comebacks before, and was forced to try to do so again. Howell's late rushing touchdown cut the App State lead to three, but for a second straight week it was too little, too late for UNC. With Ruggles' field goal attempt blocked as time expired, the Tar Heels were handed a second straight loss. 

Why does it matter?

North Carolina had an opportunity to enter its game against Clemson with a statement win after a close loss to Wake Forest. Instead, the Tar Heels lost to App State for the first time in program history, and are left searching for answers going into their biggest game of the year.

When do they play next?

North Carolina will take on the No. 1 Tigers next Saturday in Chapel Hill.

@bg_keyes

@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com