Brett Davis - USA TODAY Sports
UNC tops Georgia Tech 38-22, heads to open week at 3-3
ATLANTA — It wasn’t pretty, but it puts North Carolina into a good spot headed into its open week.
Overcoming drops and several offensive miscues, the Tar Heels pulled away for a 38-22 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Sam Howell threw for four touchdowns, Javonte Williams rushed for a career-best 144 yards and a score and Carolina scored on three straight drives in the second half to pull away for the victory.
Early on, it looked like the Tar Heels were set for a big day on offense, but Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown both dropped certain touchdown passes and Howell threw an interception right into the hands of Georgia Tech defensive lineman Antwan Owens.
Despite the fits and starts for the Carolina offense, the Tar Heels dominated on defense, limiting the Yellow Jackets to a total of 92 yards as Carolina took a 17-0 lead into halftime after touchdown passes from Howell to Newsome and Beau Corrales.
With the Tar Heels on the verge of jumping ahead 24-0, Charlie Heck was flagged for a personal foul and Noah Ruggles’ 39-yard field goal attempt was off the mark.
The miss seemed to give Georgia Tech new life, as Jordan Mason broke a 43-yard run to set up a 28-yard touchdown pass from James Graham to Malachi Carter.
Brown made a highlight-reel grab in the back of the end zone to push Carolina’s lead to 24-7 before the Yellow Jackets answered with another touchdown, set up by big runs from Mason and Graham.
Howell again had an answer, this time connecting with Garrett Walston on a wheel route for a 16-yard touchdown, edging the ball over the goal line just before he stepped out of bounds.
Carolina's offense rolled up season-highs in points, offensive yardage (587), passing yards (376), first downs (34) and third-down conversions (11).
The 376 yards were a career-high for Howell, as were his 33 completions and 51 attempts.
With the victory, Carolina moves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in ACC play as the Tar Heels head into a much-needed open week.
On Saturday morning, safety Cam Kelly was added to a long list of injured starters while starting cornerback Trey Morrison left the game with an upper-body injury in the first half and didn’t return.
The Tar Heels return to action on Sept. 19 at Virginia Tech.
