Tar Heel player tossed after brawl in NC State game

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) A North Carolina player was ejected for throwing a punch during a fight that cleared the benches Friday during the Tar Heels' rivalry game with N.C. State.

Backup defensive tackle Jalen Dalton was tossed and referee Stuart Mullins assessed multiple offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties to both teams. The skirmish broke out near midfield with about six minutes left in the half after N.C. State's Matt Dayes fumbled.

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The ball squirted about 20 yards downfield with at least four players trying to scoop it up. That led to a pileup near midfield, and Dalton appeared to hit Wolfpack lineman Terronne Prescod. Later in the skirmish, UNC coach Larry Fedora unsuccessfully tried to restrain Dalton by the back of his collar.

After a review, the pass was ruled incomplete.

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