UNC football fumbles away opportunity in heartbreaking loss to California

Trailing by 3 with under four minutes remaining, the UNC football program had the opportunity to either tie the game or, as crazy as it might sound given what we've seen from this team this season thus far, have a chance to take the lead.

Unfortunately, the bad luck continues for Bill Belichick's team, as that opportunity was unfortunately fumbled away.

A pair of fumbles prove costly for North Carolina, playing a significant role in the team's three-point loss to the California Golden Bears. The Tar Heels will now return to the East Coast, sitting on the missed opportunity to earn their first conference victory of the Belichick era.

Turnovers impacted North Carolina essentially from the jump. On the first play from scrimmage, Shanard Clower fumbled the football away, one that gave California excellent field position. Just four plays later, the Golden Bears took the lead, indicating that it could be another long game for the UNC football program.

However, North Carolina hung in there, tying the game with just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter on a Benjamin Hall rushing touchdown, one that capped off a four play 70-yard drive.

California ultimately took a 14-10 lead into the half, one that was encouraging given what we've seen from this team thus far this season. At this point, it was good to see the program actually in a competitive game, one that they certainly felt they had a chance to win.

The Golden Bears scored on their opening drive of the second half, putting them up 21-10. Instead of folding like we've seen this team do on multiple occasions, they battled, cutting the home team's lead to just three.

Then, the heartbreak ensued.

Deep in the red zone, Gio Lopez found an open Nathan Leacock, who appeared to be destined for a clear-path to the end zone. However, just before he got to the goal line, a Golden Bears defender popped the ball loose, a fumble which was recovered by California in the end zone. It resulted in a heartbreaking touch back that served as the dagger in North Carolina's comeback effort.

While I'm not a believer in moral victories, there are some positives you can take away from this game. For starters, Benjamin Hall was fantastic, leading the Tar Heels rushing attack. We also saw a vintage performance from Kobe Paysour, who ended the night with six catches for 101 yards.

The result wasn't what the program hoped for, especially after a hectic two weeks of media drama that swirled (and continues to swirl). However, when you look at it from a building perspective, this is a positive for a team that is clearly in a rebuild, even though the results show a loss in the record column.

It just goes to show you how games are often decided by inches. You simply can't fumble your opportunities away.