UNC Football: Tar Heels pass half-century mark in win over Hokies

UNC football tops Virginia Tech in offensive thriller on Saturday in Chapel Hill to move to 3-0 on the season

Michael Carter rushed 17 times for a career-high 214 yards and two touchdowns, as North Carolina beat Virginia Tech by a final score of 56-45 on Saturday afternoon.

Carter averaged 12.6 yards per carry against the Hokies’ defense, including a long carry of 62 yards. UNC junior running back Javonte Williams also had a career-best day on the ground with 169 yards. He ran for two touchdowns, and had an 8.5 yard-per-carry average on the day. The UNC offense combined for 399 rush yards on 43 carries for a 9.3-yard average, and five total touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Sam Howell had his best game of the season, throwing for 257 yards on 18-of-23 passing and three touchdowns. He connected with Dyami Brown three times for 86 yards and two scores, while Dazz Newsome caught seven balls for 69 yards and a touchdown.

The UNC defense struggled mightily against the Hokies, giving up multiple double-digit leads. Three Hokies combined for 15-of-29 passing and two touchdowns, while the Virginia Tech run game tore off 260 yards on 48 carries. Khalil Herbert led the Hokies with 18 carries for 138 yards and a pair of scores.

The No. 8 Tar Heels improve to 3-0 on the season, and prepare for a matchup with the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee next week. The 19th-ranked Hokies fall to 2-1 ahead of a home game against Boston College.

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