UNC Football: Tar Heels lose heartbreaker in 6 OT to Virginia Tech

The UNC Football program drops a heart breaker vs. Virginia Tech on the road to drop to 3-4 overall on the year and 2-2 in conference play

For whatever reason, the North Carolina Tar Heels just can’t beat Virginia Tech. With their 43-41 loss in 6 overtimes, UNC has now lost four-straight vs. the Hokies dating back to 2016.

But Saturday’s just might have been the toughest one to swallow.

After UNC jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, the Hokies fought back and even grabbed a 21-17 lead. Virginia Tech not only lost starting quarterback Hendon Hooker but also backup Ryan Willis. Third string quarterback Quincy Patterson took over in the third quarter and after UNC grabbed the 24-21 lead, Patterson was able to keep Virginia Tech in striking distance.

The Tar Heels did grab a 31-24 lead in the fourth quarter with just under five minutes left, thanks to a beautiful flea flicker touchdown pass from Sam Howell to Antoine Green but the Hokies answered back with a long Patterson touchdown run just two plays later.

Whenever UNC had the chance to put the game away by going up two scores, they either shot themselves in the foot or couldn’t muster anything on offense.

Then the craziness happened.

The two teams entered overtime tied at 31 and both kicked a field goal on their possessions in the first overtime before it got wild. Here is how overtime looked:

1st OT

VT: FG is good
UNC: FG is good

2nd OT

UNC: TD
VT: TD

3rd OT

VT: Missed FG
UNC: Missed FG

4th OT

UNC: Missed FG
VT: Missed FG

5th OT

VT: 2-point no good
UNC: 2-point no good

6th OT

UNC: 2-point no good
VT: 2-point is good

You might be asking yourself why there are two-point conversions after the fourth overtime but that’s because there is a new rule this season that teams line up from the three-yard line and must attempt two-point conversions.

The Tar Heels did stop the Hokies on the first attempt but were then stopped on a pitch to Michael Carter. Eventually the Hokies would punch it in with Patterson from three-yards out after Sam Howell was sacked.

UNC certainly had their chances in this game. They forced a missed field goal in the third overtime but then had a holding penalty push them 10 yards back forcing a tougher kick for Noah Ruggles who missed. In the second overtime, Virginia Tech faced a fourth and three but converted on a touchdown pass.

Howell finished the game 26 of 49 for 348 yards, 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He continues to get better and had UNC in position to win the game a few times. The real issue was with the play-calling late in the game and in overtime.

The win for Virginia Tech moves them to 2-2 in conference play, right there with the Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils. Virginia now has control of the Coastal at 3-1 on the season. UNC and Virginia will match up in Chapel Hill in two weeks.

This loss now complicates things for the Tar Heels not only in the Coastal but their chances in making a bowl game. They will now likely need to win out with games vs. Duke, Virginia, Pitt, Mercer and N.C. State left.

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