UNC Football: About That Fourth Quarter
By Aaron Conrad
An absolutely wild Saturday in Boone, North Carolina between the Appalachian State Mountaineers and UNC football gave us a fourth quarter to remember.
The UNC football program stepped onto the field as the underdog. Fans from both teams packed in tight and set a record for the largest game ever for Kidd Brewer Stadium at 40,168. Drake Maye and the offense ripped off 34 straight points to take a two-touchdown lead at one point. Yet there was still some nervous feeling that the fourth quarter would keep us all on the edge of our seats.
That is exactly what it did.
In the fourth quarter alone, the Tar Heels and Mountaineers combined for 62 points and a total of 504 yards. Yes, you read that correctly. Those numbers were not for the game, they were for the fourth quarter. For the entire game, the two teams combined for 124 points and 1,231 total yards. If you like offense, this was the game for you. Thank you to Bryan Ives for the screenshot of all the action.
This is what 62 points in a single quarter looks like, the second-most in any quarter in FBS history pic.twitter.com/r46g1ZRTEx
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) September 3, 2022
In that fourth quarter alone…
They ran 39 plays for a total of 434 yards.
Four of the touchdowns came on pass plays.
Three of the touchdowns came on running plays.
App State scored their first touchdown two minutes and ninety seconds into the fourth quarter.
They scored their last touchdown with just 0.9 seconds left in the game.
Just one of the many crazy things is that it could have been over before that final score. As my colleague, Issac Schade pointed out
Nice athletic play by Nesbit there to get the onside kick & run it back for 6.
— Isaac Schade (@isaacschade) September 3, 2022
HOWEVER - in so doing he's given App State a chance to get the ball back. Would rather see him down the ball, let Maye take a couple knees, and head home.
UNC Head Coach Mack Brown responded to that question in his post game press conference:
"We happen to get an onside kick and run it back for a touchdown instead of falling on it like we should or the game would have been over then."
— Isaac Schade (@isaacschade) September 3, 2022
- Mack Brown
There are plenty of questions and blame to be shared by all, not just Bryson Nesbit. Prior to that moment, Nesbit had a solid game with 3 receptions for 47 yards and one touchdown.
Tonight we will celebrate the win and maybe never speak of this one again. The record books, however, will show that this was the most points allowed by UNC since they gave up 70 in a loss to ECU in 2014. Not exactly a record they are aiming for this or any other season.
Despite all of the numbers on the scoreboard and in the books, the season record will show that the Tar Heels now sit at 2-0. This game will give the coaches a lot to work through and show the defense as they continue to find their footing.
As we say around late March and early April, “survive and advance.”
Next. UNC Football: Staff Picks Week 2 vs Appalachian State. dark
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