UNC Football Drops Out of the Rankings After Loss to Georgia Tech
ATLANTA, G.A. (PSF)— UNC gets its second consecutive loss after being defeated 42-46 at Georgia Tech, knocking them out of the rankings as they fall to 6-2 on the season.
Offense:
UNC had 577 yards of total offense -310 in the air and 267 yards on the ground. Even with these stats, the Tar Heels could not come up with a win.
Carolina’s opening drive started strong and ended with a 14-yard touchdown after quarterback Drake Maye connected with tight end Bryson Nesbit.
After a defensive stop, UNC got the ball back with great field position, and running back Omarion Hampton punched in a 17-yard rushing touchdown after breaking several tackles. UNC led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Omarion Hampton scores 17-yard rushing TD
Video Credits: ESPN
Tech closed the gap to a seven-point game, but UNC responded with a seven-yard rushing touchdown by RB British Brooks. This was set up by a 46-yard catch by Nesbit.
Bryson Nesbit hauls in 46-yard reception
Video Credits: ESPN
Similar to the UVA v. UNC game, this game was back-and-forth between the teams.
UNC was able to get in the endzone one more time before the half as Hampton scored a three-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the day. Wide receiver Tez Walker also had a huge 32-yard catch on this drive to set up the TD.
UNC led 28-24 going into the locker room.
The third quarter was quiet. Carolina got the ball to start the second half but had a quick three-and-out and had to punt it away. Tech blocked the punt, but UNC’s defense came up with a takeaway that the offense was able to capitalize on.
After a 29-yard catch and run by Hampton, Maye was able to run it in for a 14-yard touchdown, making the score 35-24.
Drake Maye rushes in for 14-yard rushing touchdown
Video Credits: ESPN
The Yellow Jackets started the fourth quarter with a touchdown and successful two-point conversion, narrowing the gap to only three points.
UNC responded with a 35-yard receiving touchdown by freshman WR Tychaun Chapman. The Yellow Jackets quickly answered on their drive, keeping it a one-score game.
The Tar Heels were marching down the field, but Georgia Tech’s defense was able to hold them to a field goal attempt. Unfortunately, the 39-yard attempt was no good and gave the Yellow Jackets the ability to score another touchdown. With a little less than five minutes left of the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech led 42-46, their first lead of the night.
The Tar Heels, now down by four, needed to score a touchdown while also running down the clock.
With a little less than three minutes left, Maye completed a 36-yard pass to Walker. Unfortunately, Walker fumbled the ball after a huge blindside hit and Georgia Tech recovered it, solidifying their victory over UNC.
Tez Walker shaken up after GT forces a crucial fumble
Video Credits: ESPN
Walker was shaken up from the hit and was on the ground for a little while before he was helped off the field. Walker was then taken to a hospital in the area to be evaluated. The Tar Heels released a statement Sunday morning saying he had been released from the hospital and would travel home with the team.
UNC’s offense has not looked the same since the Miami game. Their tempo has not been as fast, Maye has not been as accurate- mostly due to the offensive line struggling to hold the pressure of the opposing defense- and the receivers have not been able to hold onto the ball.
Defense:
Carolina’s defense started out strong but then struggled to contain Georgia Tech’s offense, especially their run game.
Tech decided to go for it on 4th and 2 early in the first quarter, and UNC came up with a big stop that led to an offensive touchdown.
Back on the field, Tech decided to go for it again on 4th and 3 and UNC broke up the pass. The offense did not capitalize on this takeaway though.
The Tar Heels did a great job pressuring and hitting quarterback Haynes King in the first quarter, but unfortunately never sacked him and the pressure did not continue throughout the game.
After Georgia Tech blocked a punt, UNC’s defense came up with a crucial turnover. King’s first pass of the second half was intercepted by defensive back Don Chapman and led to an offensive touchdown.
Don Chapman gets the interception vs. Georgia Tech
Video Credits: ESPN
The Tar Heels had spurts of good defensive plays, but overall, they had a terrible day. They gave up 635 yards of total offense- 348 of those yards being on the ground.
Carolina held Georgia Tech scoreless in the first and third quarters but gave up 24 points in the second quarter and 22 points in the fourth quarter. Head coach Mack Brown called the defense “awful” in the last quarter and “thought they were beyond that.”
Takeaways and Looking Forward:
Penalties again were critical in this game. UNC had eight penalties for 65 yards compared to Tech’s three penalties for 19 yards. Carolina needs to become more disciplined in this area as it is a key factor in their ability to win games.
Georgia Tech played a good game against UNC and continues to show that they should not be counted out.
This game was UNC’s second consecutive loss, both of which have been to teams with losing records and where they have blown double-digit leads. Brown said that they will be adjusting in the coming week and the team needs to “grow up, man up and get ready to play next week.”
The Tar Heels will be home on Nov. 4 to take on the 4-4 Campbell Camels.