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The Daily Tar Heel

UNC football dominates Mercer, 56-7, behind historic performance from Sam Howell

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UNC senior linebacker Dominique Ross (3) tackles Mercer freshman wide receiver Yahsyn McKee (16). The Tar Heels took the lead at halftime against the Bears 42-0 at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019.

The North Carolina football team dominated Mercer in all phases of the game en route to a 56-7 blowout win in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels will now face N.C. State with bowl eligibility on the line.

What happened?

UNC (5-6) started the game how it was supposed to, scoring at will and shutting the Bears (4-8) down. The Tar Heels went up 21-0 after the first half alone thanks to touchdowns from Antonio Williams, Michael Carter and a 66-yard Sam Howell pass.

In the second quarter, the North Carolina offense doubled its lead to 42-0. This time with two Howell touchdown passes and a Carter rushing touchdown. Howell’s second touchdown of the game made history. He threw his 31st touchdown pass of the season to surpass Mitch Trubisky as UNC’s all-time leader for passing touchdowns in a season.

In the third quarter, the game of firsts continued. First-year quarterback Vincent Amendola took the first snap of his career, as UNC decided to sit out Howell. Some other players that got in the game included sophomore running back British Brooks, who scored his first career touchdown. Brooks’ score, along with a 60-yard Carter touchdown, gave the Tar Heels a 56-0 lead heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, UNC closed out the game but didn’t score. However, the Bears scored with 3:38 remaining in the game to avoid a shutout.

UNC would close out its expected win, with a final score of 56-7.

Who stood out?

Howell was the standout for North Carolina, again. The first-year completed 10 passes on 13 attempts for 152 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, the only half that he played.

He also made some history. Howell broke the school record for touchdown passes in a season with his second of the game, bringing his total to 31. That touchdown also made him the first true first-year to record that many in a single season.

The team’s running backs also had an impressive game. They took advantage of the Bears, rushing for 376 yards and five touchdowns.

Individually, Carter and Antonio Williams scored their first touchdowns of the season and Carter amassed 159 rushing yards and three touchdowns

The team’s defense also did its job. UNC held Mercer to just seven points, the least amount they have allowed since Nov 23, 2016 when they won 41-7 against The Citadel.

The defense held the Bears to just 225 yards, many of those came in the final minutes of the game.

When was it decided?

UNC jumped right out of the gates with two quick touchdowns and it didn’t seem like Mercer would be able to do much of anything. The Tar Heels led 14-0 less than four minutes into the game and 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The FCS Bears never really stood a chance, as UNC’s talent was obviously superior.

Why does it matter?

North Carolina has a chance to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2016 after getting its fifth win. Reaching a bowl game in Mack Brown’s first year as head coach would be a giant step in his quest to return UNC football to national prominence. 

However, in order for that to happen it just has to do one thing.

Beat its rival in an away game.

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When do they play next?

The Tar Heels travel to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh next Saturday to face N.C. State in a primetime matchup that has bowl implications.

@matt_chilson

@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com