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Gameday Live Blog/Open Thread: Virginia at Carolina

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Brant Wilkerson-New|
Gameday Live Blog/Open Thread: Virginia at Carolina
Gameday Live Blog/Open Thread: Virginia at Carolina

Good evening from Kenan Stadium, site of North Carolina's biggest home game since the 2015 season when the Tar Heels made their first appearance in the ACC Championship game.

Tonight's game will go a long way in deciding if the Tar Heels (4-4, 3-2 ACC) will make a second appearance, or whether Virginia (5-3, 3-2) can hang around in the race.

Check in throughout the game for live analysis and observations from Kenan 

Join the conversation — it's easy — go to the top of the site, click the follow button in the right-hand corner, then log in with either Facebook or Google to discuss the game below.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network and available here for subscribers.

PREGAME

FIRST QUARTER

11:19 — Carolina did exactly what it can't do tonight if it's going to have a chance to win, giving up a sack for 12 yards on its first play. Virginia is one of the nation's best at getting after the QB, and if the Tar Heels are working from behind the chains, the Hoos are going to unleash all sorts of pressure.

Chazz Surratt's injury looms large after leaving with what appeared to be a shoulder injury after making three tackles on Virginia's first drive. His speed is key in helping Carolina slow down Bryce Perkins.

9:16 — UNC lets an opportunity get away after Dyami Brown's 57-yard catch and run, but Noah Ruggles knocks a 37-yard field goal through. That's three straight makes since he lost his job then took it back in the Duke game. Mack Brown spoke highly of the kicker's confidence and how he handled the situation.

UNC 3, Virginia 0

5:39 — Tough turn of events for the Tar Heels there, as they got beat on a trick play then allowed Virginia to march in for a TD. It was a slow, methodical march against a defense that can't afford to be on the field all night, going 70 yards in 13 plays and 6 minutes, 23 seconds.

UVA up 9:08-3:06 in time of possession and 19-7 in total plays. 

Virginia 7, UNC 3

End 1Q — The UNC offense is finding its footing after a couple of nice runs. 

Sam Howell should also buy Michael Carter a Cookout tray for picking up a blitz from a Virginia safety that would have ended very poorly had he made contact. 

SECOND QUARTER

9:18 — Virginia's offense is marching steadily, but UNC comes up with a huge stop there at the goal line. Chazz Surratt had perfect timing on the snap and forced Perkins to throw before he was completely ready.

Time of possession still an issue for a thin defense, as Virginia has already piled up 13:24 to UNC's 7:18.

Virginia 10, UNC 3

Virginia 10, UNC 10

2:06 — After a brief hiatus, the Brown-Howell combination is back in business. After that 34-yard TD, Brown has a career-best four catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns while Howell is 7 of 11 for 173 yards and two scores. 

He's up to 24 passing TDs on the season, putting him in position to threaten Mitch Trubisky's single-season school-record total of 30. 

UNC 17, Virginia 10 

0:13 — 13 plays, 78 yards in 1:47 for Virginia there and the Hoos get a little momentum before the half. Brown won't be happy with that, as he's emphasized winning the final five minutes of halves.

UNC 17, Virginia 17

HALFTIME

Halftime analysis 

  • Dyami Brown had been banged up and got shut out for the first time all season last week vs. Duke. It certainly appears he's back to himself after that first half. He's had great chemistry with Howell all season and been the most consistent deep threat. He'll have a chance to set a new single-game receiving record. Randy Marriott's 247 yards are the current record.
  • All week long, UNC's coaches talked about how much better a passer Perkins was than he got credit for. So far, he's proven it today. As the Tar Heels have honed into stopping the run, Perkins has found one open receiver after another in big spots. 
  • Aside from the big play, UNC's receivers haven't found much in the short and intermediate. That has to change for them to win the game.
  • Nick Polino's return at left guard is huge and appears to be paying dividends already with a solid start running the ball.

THIRD QUARTER

14:25 — UNC had done an excellent job keeping Bryce Perkins from breaking a big play all night and limiting Virginia to 27 rushing yards in the first half.

Then, he breaks a few tackles and goes for a 65-yard touchdown on the longest play of his career. Just an electric player. 

Virginia 24, UNC 17

7:58 — Much like the Cavaliers of the hardwood, this bunch just uses a methodical death-march to slowly grind opponents down. The 34-yard catch for Terrell Jana on 3rd and 11 might end up being the play of the game, as the Hoos are again threatening.

7:32 — Virginia scores on the jump pass Duke was looking for last week. 

UNC hasn't been in a spot like this since the Wake Forest game. How it answers on this drive could ultimately decide how this season is remembered.

Virginia 31, UNC 17

4:57 — 

Virginia 31, UNC 24

Virginia 38, UNC 24

0:43 — This is incredibly fun.

Virginia 38, UNC 31

FOURTH QUARTER

11:02 — UNC ends Virginia's streak of five straight drives with a touchdown. Incredible effort to knock the Hoos out of field goal range on the pursuit by Jeremiah Gemmel and Dominique Ross.

FINAL: Virginia 38, UNC 31

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Brant Wilkerson-New
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