- The Tar Heels have now lost four consecutive games, dropping to 2-5 on the season.
- Costly mistakes, including three turnovers, prevented North Carolina from securing the upset victory.
- Despite a strong defensive performance, North Carolina’s offense continues to struggle, averaging just 18.7 points per game.
Bill Belichick and North Carolina fell inches short of a signature win.
The Tar Heels gambled in overtime, going for the win on a two-point conversion against No. 16 Virginia but didn’t cross the goal line to lose 17-16 despite a strong performance from the Tar Heel defense.
After Virginia scored a touchdown on its opening possession of overtime, North Carolina responded in kind on its first turn. But the offense stayed on the field, going for the win on the two-point attempt. Quarterback Gio Lopez rolled to his right and dumped it off to Benjamin Hall, but he was unable to extend the ball across the goal line, getting tackled right at the 1-yard line to end the game.
Why did Belichick decide to go for it at that moment rather than opt for the extra-point attempt and a second overtime period?
“Trying to win the game,” Belichick said. “I don’t know what else you want me to tell you.”
North Carolina has now lost four consecutive games, dropping to 2-5 and 0-3 in the ACC.
While the game was decided in extra time, more costly mistakes in regulation prevented the Tar Heels from pulling off the upset that would have been the first signature win in the Belichick era.
In the first quarter, receiver Kobe Paysour was heading toward the end zone as Virginia’s defense honed in on him. He tried to extend the ball on the pylon for the score, but he lost control before he could make contact and it went out of bounds. The ball was ruled out at the 1-yard line, but officials reviewed it and determined it went out of bounds in the end zone, resulting in a touchback and Virginia ball.
Another critical mistake came in the third quarter with the game tied at 10 each. After getting an interception in Virginia territory, North Carolina was in great position to score and take the lead. The Tar Heels got in the red zone, but a Lopez pass was tipped and eventually intercepted by Virginia’s Mitchell Melton.
It wouldn’t be the last misstep either. North Carolina had a chance to set up for a game-winning field goal in the final minute near midfield, but Lopez took a deep shot that was intercepted at the 3-yard line.
North Carolina had three turnovers, with two of them coming in the red zone, spoiling what was a strong defensive performance by North Carolina.
Virginia entered the 130th installment of the “South’s Oldest Rivalry” averaging an ACC-best 40 points per game, ninth best in the country, with an average of 462 yards of offense. But the Tar Heels made it rough for Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris and company, shutting the Cavaliers out in the second half white holding them to 259 yards of offense.
The 17 points scored was a season low for Virginia, but once again, North Carolina’s horrid offense couldn’t capitalize.
Belichick’s squad has the worst offense in the ACC, averaging just 18.7 points per game along with 268.5 yards of offense, which is fourth-worst in the country. It’s been worse against Power 4 opponents, with North Carolina averaging just 12.8 points per game against Power 4 squads.
North Carolina put up 353 yards on the day, including a season-best 208 passing yards from Lopez, but it still wasn’t enough. The Tar Heels have yet to score more than 18 points against a Power 4 opponent.
Next on the schedule for North Carolina is at Syracuse on Halloween night on Friday, Oct. 31 as it tries to avoid another scary result.
