UNC Football: Tar Heels vs Georgia Tech Game Review
By Matt Hamm
UNC faced off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Stadium. The Heels are coming off a bye week after a spectacular win against rival NC State on Giovani Bernards fourth quarter game winning punt return for a touchdown.
Nov 10, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Vad Lee (2) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Shakeel Rashad (42) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE
The first half was a shootout, or terrible defense either way you want to look at it.
The UNC offense struck quickly with a three play 60 yard scoring drive that took just 1:21 sparked by a 47 yard pass play on second down to Erik Highsmith and two plays later Bernard took it in for a four yard touchdown run. Georgia Tech wasted no time on the ensuing possession picking up 39 big yards on a first down throw and after converting on a third and four quarterback Tevin Washington took it 25 yards for a TD of his own to tie the game.
Early on it looked like this would be an offensive show from both teams with each scoring a TD in the first three and a half minutes of the game. The Tar Heels next possession was another quick one just not the type UNC was looking for with a quick three and out forcing a punt out of their own end zone after a 13 yard loss on a sack of Bryn Renner. UNC forced a three and out of their own after a near interception by Tre Boston but were pinned deep in their own territory after a nice punt from the Yellow Jackets.
The following drive was a very nice efficient drive for Carolina who put together a nine play 93 yard drive capped off by a one yard TD run by AJ Blue. Renner spread the ball around to his backs and receiver Quinshad Davis who nearly scored on a 26 yard reception and run before the Blue TD run.
The Yellow Jackets again answered with a nice TD drive of their own on a 12 play 70 yard drive that took 4:13 capped by a one yard TD run by Vad Lee. All positive yardage gained on the drive were rushes in which Lee carved up the Carolina defense. The score 14-14 and both defenses reeling at the end of the first quarter.
UNC put together another nice drive and had the ball around the 20 yard line of Georgia Tech threatening to take the lead when Renner fumbled a snap giving the ball back to the Yellow Jackets. GT wasted no time taking the ball down the field 80 yards on 10 plays eating up 3:53 on the clock to take the lead. The fumble proved very costly as it could have accounted for a 14 point swing.
The momentum didn’t stay on the GT sideline for long, Runner put together a nice drive following the Tech TD picking up a couple of third down conversions with him arm. Romar Morris got into the action and wasted no time making a big impact with a 30 yard TD run to tie the score at 21 that was very impressive. I’ve said all year long how badly I want to see Morris on offense more and this is exactly why. The TD by Morris is a little more satisfying since it was Tech that was the main competitors for Morris’ services when UNC was recruiting him.
The Tar Heels luck seemed destined to hand the lead right back after a 4th and goal stop, Tech was awarded a timeout and was able to run the play again. On the second fourth down attempt Lee was able to sneak it in for another lead changing TD. UNC did a great job of eating up some 3:35 of the clock on the ensuing possession going 61 yards on eight plays for Blue’s second TD run of the game. A two point conversion gave the Heels the lead with 30 seconds left in the half.
Score at the half: UNC 30 Georgia Tech 29, second half review after the jump