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UNC Football: Tar Heels beat up on Miami in Coral Gables

By Blake Cockrum

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
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 /
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Tar Heels go into Coral Gables and steal one from 16th ranked Miami

Coming off of a blowout loss at home against Virginia Tech, UNC looked good from the opening kickoff against Miami.

The Tar Heels’ opening drive was stalled out by consecutive false start penalties, but they were able to come away with three points from Nick Weiler’s 42-yard field goal.

Miami quickly drove the ball down to the UNC 20-yard line, but the Tar Heels defense held strong and forced the Hurricanes to attempt a 38-yard field goal. The kick was blocked by Jalen Dalton, keeping the score 3-0 UNC with 5:39 left in the first quarter.

The following drive, UNC’s T.J. Logan tore off a 30-yard run to get the Tar Heels on the Miami side of the field. UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky converted a third down and six to Bug Howard, setting up a Trubisky-to-Proehl touchdown in the back of the end zone. The Tar Heels led the game 10-0 nearing the end of the first quarter.

After a failed UNC onside kick and a series of Miami first downs, the Hurricanes settled for a 47-yard field goal that put the home team on the board.

Following a 20-yard run by Trubisky, the Tar Heels drive stalled out and they were forced to punt the ball back to Miami. Miami completed consecutive passes to David Njoku, who had four receptions for 82 yards in the first half. Their drive stalled out at the UNC 25 and the Tar Heels took over on downs.

On the ensuing drive, the Tar Heels made the score 13-3 on a 52-yard field goal by Weiler.

Miami went three and out on their next drive, giving the Tar Heels an opportunity to score again before halftime. Trubisky completed a deep pass to Mack Hollins for 48 yards, setting up a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Switzer.

UNC led by a score of 20-3 at the half.

The Tar Heels’ opening drive in the second half ended with a blocked field goal, giving the ball back to the Hurricanes. They came up with nothing on their following drive and were forced to punt the ball back to UNC.

After four punts (two by each team) and a largely uneventful third quarter, Miami put together a four play, 61-yard drive that resulted in a two-yard rushing touchdown by Joseph Yearby. Miami trailed 20-10 nearing the end of the third quarter.

North Carolina’s Bug Howard took over on the following drive, pulling in three receptions for 65 yards. Trubisky got the ball to the Miami 1-yard line on a designed run play. UNC then failed to get the ball into the end zone on four consecutive plays, giving possession back to Miami on their own 1-yard line.

After punts by each team, Miami’s Joseph Yearby ran for 42 yards to the North Carolina 6-yard line setting up a first and goal. The Hurricanes couldn’t get in the end zone and settled for three. With 6:52 left in the game, UNC led 20-13.

After a four-minute drive by UNC, the Tar Heels were forced to punt back to Miami, giving the Hurricanes a chance to tie the game up with under two minutes left in the fourth.

On the ensuing play, Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya fumbled the ball and it was recovered by UNC, giving the Tar Heels possession deep in Miami territory with 1:31 left in the game.

A powerful run on third down by Elijah Hood gave UNC a first and goal. With time running down, Miami was forced to call their final timeout with 1:02 left. The Tar Heels lined up in victory formation to close out a 20-13 win against the Hurricanes.

Mitch Trubisky finished the day 33-of-46 for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Bug Howard led all receivers with ten receptions and 156 yards receiving.

Ryan Switzer caught nine balls and passed former Tar Heel Quinshad Davis for first place all-time in receptions at UNC.

The Tar Heels improved to 5-2 and 3-1 in conference play. After dropping their second straight home game, Miami sits at 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

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