UNC Football: Three key stats from Tar Heels comeback win

UNC had a wild comeback win over the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday. We broke down three key stats from the game that is highlighted by Mitch Trubisky

What a week it was for college football over the weekend.

Of course North Carolina Tar Heels fans are happy, especially following their big comeback win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Tar Heels might just be 1-0 in the ACC, but it’s the first step in repeating as Coastal Division champions. That win on Saturday was a big one, not only standings wise, but one to get some momentum going.

As the Tar Heels struggled on defense early in the game, they stepped up big when they were needed the most.

We’ve already recapped the game, which you can find here, but we also have some nice stats to note from the win.

Here’s three key stats from the win on Saturday, inspired by Mitch Trubisky’s spectacular play:

Trubisky’s completion streak

Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The junior quarterback had a big game against James Madison in the Tar Heels’ home opener, but he continued that play on Saturday.

Trubisky completed his first 12 passing attempts of the game before he threw an incompletion in the final minute of the first half. With those 12 completions, Trubisky’s streak reached 30 which is the second-most in FBS history.

He finished with 453 yards in the game and five touchdowns.

The 30-straight completions also broke a school record of 19-straight from Bryn Renner during the 2011 season. His streak is second to ECU’s Dominique Davis who completed 36-straight that was set in 2011.

His play the last three games is something that hasn’t been done since 2010 by a Power 5 quarterback:

Mitch Trubisky has completed at least 75% of his throws in 3 straight games. Last P5 QB w/longer streak: NW's Dan Persa in 2010 (5 straight)
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) September 26, 2016

Can Mitch keep it up?

Switzer’s record-setting day

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs after a catch during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s not the record you’re thinking about, but senior receiver Ryan Switzer had himself a hell of a day on Saturday.

Switzer finished with 16 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown.

With his effort, Switzer tied a school record for most receptions in a game with 16. He was also the sixth receiver in UNC history to have a game in which he had 200-plus receiving yards.

The receiver was a key piece to the Tar Heels magical comeback. Switzer had a few big catches on that drive including on fourth down.

Now we just need him to get that return record.

UNC led in the game, but barely

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Bug Howard (84) catches the game tying touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Panthers jumped out to a 12-0 lead after the Tar Heels yielded a safety, field goal and touchdown. UNC fought back and got on the board, but Pittsburgh maintained the lead for the majority of the game.

Until it mattered the most.

After Trubisky found Bug Howard with two seconds left in the game, kicker Nick Weiler got the extra point to put UNC ahead 37-36 with just two seconds left.

It would be the only two seconds in the game the Tar Heels would lead for.

Yes, the Tar Heels only lead for just two seconds in the entire game but it was the win that really mattered.

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