LIVE GAME THREAD: UNC Looks to Bounce Back Against UVA

Chapel Hill, N.C. - North Carolina (2-4, 0-2 ACC) will be looking for its first win over an ACC/Power Four opponent for the first time in nearly a year when it takes on No. 16 Virginia (6-1, 3-0 ACC) at Kenan Stadium on Saturday.

North Carolina is coming off a tough 21-18 road loss to Cal. Ben Hall paced the Tar Heels with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Kobe Paysour broke out with six catches for 101 yards. Quarterback Gio Lopez went 19-of-35 for 163 yards, navigating tighter passing windows—a result of improved health after battling injuries earlier this season.

Virginia enters with one of the top offenses in the country, featuring quarterback Chandler Morris, running back J'Mari Taylor and wide receiver Trell Harris. The Cavaliers are coming off a 22-20 win over Washington State, with the decisive points scored on a safety.

First Quarter

8:25 Virginia 3, UNC 0

Gio Lopez completed a 13-yard pass to Kobe Paysour, who reached out for the pylon and it looked like he scored, but they ruled him down at the 1-yard line. When they went to review it to see if he scored, however, they ruled that he fumbled before the ball crossed the pylon and called it a touchback, resulting in UVA getting the ball.

4:33 Virginia 3, UNC 0

Will Bettridge puts the Cavs ahead with a 34-yard field goal.

End of First Quarter - Virginia 3, UNC 0

Virginia holds the lead, but UNC has kept it close. In reality, the Tar Heels should be leading this game right now. Gio Lopez is 10-for-12 with 97 yards.

Second Quarter

11:30 UNC 3, Virginia 3

On third-and-long, North Carolina called a quarterback draw. The Tar Heels should be up by two touchdowns but continue to make costly mistakes. UNC tied the score at 3 with a 34-yard field goal by Rece Verhoff.

6:36- Virginia 10, UNC 3

Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris found Trell Harris for a 30-yard touchdown pass, as Harris slipped free from UNC cornerback Marcus Allen, kept his balance and reached the end zone.

1:24 - Virginia 10, UNC 10

Gio Lopez connected with Kobe Paysour on a 26-yard pass to the 1-yard line, then scored on a quarterback sneak—his second rushing touchdown of the season—to tie the game at 10 with 1:24 remaining.

Halftime - Virginia 10, UNC 10

A nice QB scramble by Gio Lopez and nice big-time runs by Davion Gause and Ben Hall will set up a 50-yard attempt for Rece Verhoff.

Verhoff made his first 50-yard field goal attempt, but Virginia called timeout before the snap to ice him. The tactic worked, as Verhoff missed the second try, leaving the game tied at halftime.

End of 3rd Quarter - Virginia 10, UNC 10

Late in the third quarter, UNC linebacker Andrew Simpson intercepted Chandler Morris to give the Tar Heels possession at the UVA 36. But UNC gave it right back when Gio Lopez’s red zone pass bounced off receiver Shanard Clower and was caught by Virginia defensive end Mitchell Melton. The Tar Heels once again squandered a scoring chance.

End of 4th Quarter/ OVERTIME - Virginia 10, North Carolina 10

FINAL SCORE - Virginia 17, North Carolina 10

Carolina went into overtime for the first time since 2023. It wasn't something we expected going in, but it shows the overall improvement of the Tar Heels. Although freshman wide receiver was this close to being the hero had he caught the ball.

After Virginia scored first in overtime, Gio Lopez hit Davion Gause for a 9-yard touchdown pass. North Carolina went for two, but Ben Hall was stopped just short of the goal line. Had Hall been able to extend the ball a bit further, the Tar Heels would have pulled off a major upset.