Early in the third quarter, UNC is up 24-10 on Virginia Tech at the Tar Heels' Kenan Stadium ACC opener.
The double digit lead is thanks to a three-yard reception from graduate tight end Kamari Morales, one-yard rush from redshirt first-year quarterback Drake Maye, 16-yard reception from senior wide receiver Antoine Green and a 44-yard field goal from sophomore place-kicker Noah Burnette.
Here are the rapid reactions from the first half:
UNC defense steps up
On Virginia Tech's third drive of the game, a lazy pass from Hokies redshirt junior quarterback Grant Wells led to UNC junior Cedric Gray's fourth career interception.
On the very next play, at Virginia Tech's 16-yard line, Maye found senior wide receiver Antoine Green in the end zone. This 16-yard pass marked Maye's second passing TD of the day, but most importantly, was facilitated by UNC's defense stepping up in the first half.
In Virginia Tech's first four drives, half resulted in a punt. At the 2nd and 10 on the VT 44, a huge tackle for graduate defensive lineman Raymond Vohasek brought the Hokies to a 3rd and 10. Due to the Tar Heels' continued defensive pressure, VT followed this up with an incomplete pass to bring about the 4th down.
Despite the eventual 2-yard touchdown run by Wells to close out the first half, the Tar Heels limited the Hokies to 181 total yards and 72 net rushing yards in the first half — a drastic improvement from last week.
