Heels Upset Hokies

By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor

SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett reflects on North Carolina's 20-17 win over Virginia Tech. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin

*Who knows what to expect from the ACC anymore? North Carolina, who was previously winless in conference play, went into Lane Stadium (on a Thursday night no less) and upset the nationally-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies. The Tar Heels had lost their last three games against FBS competition, so as is life in college football's craziest league, they of course beat the defending conference champions.

*Give the North Carolina defense a ton of credit, They held the Hokies to just 11 first downs and 254 total yards. The defense made the play of the game, when they forced and recovered a Ryan Williams fumble inside Virginia Tech territory with just under three minutes to play. The secondary held Tyrod Taylor to seven yards per pass attempt. Entering Thursday night, Taylor was leading the nation in yards per passing attempt at 9.8 yards. UNC did a tremendous job of preventing the big play; both of their touchdowns allowed were one-yard touchdown runs by Taylor.

*The Tar Heels beat Virginia Tech with Beamer Ball. UNC ran the football pretty well with Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston, compiling a team average of 4.3 yards per carry. Casey Barth made two late fourth quarter field goals, including a game-winner as time expired. By being sound in the special teams game, limiting mistakes and controlling the tempo of the game (35:26 time of possession), North Carolina beat the Hokies at their own game.

*Butch Davis and his coaching staff rallied this team together after a disappointing home loss to Florida State. The Tar Heels blew a 18-point lead against the Seminoles and lost last Thursday on primetime TV. This team came to Blacksburg with a lot of confidence and passion and played with great focus and determination in an environment nobody thought they could win in.

*This is obviously a disappointing loss for the Hokies and essentially eliminates them from the ACC Coastal Division race and potential BCS at-large bid consideration. Virginia Tech got dominated at the line of scrimmage, surprising considering their brand of football, and got beaten physically in Lane Stadium.

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Comments

This game was about the line play. UNC dominated both the Offensive and defensive line. It was the first game this season with the first string O-line starting, and it showed.

Posted by UNC 98 on 10/29 at 10:03 PM

alabama, nebraska, gt and unc have all dominated vt’s dl.

it’s avg at best. surprising.

Posted by redhot on 10/29 at 10:16 PM

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