Fresh off a victory against Syracuse that featured a second half surge, the Cavaliers fell flat in the latter 30 minutes Saturday against North Carolina. In the 120th meeting in the South’s Oldest Rivalry, Virginia (2-5, 1-2 ACC) was outscored 13-0 in the third and fourth quarters as the Tar Heels (6-1, 3-0) pulled away, 26-13.
North Carolina senior quarterback Marquise Williams finished 21-for-26 for 226 yards while adding 71 yards on the ground. Sophomore running back Elijah Hood picked up 101 yards and scored two touchdowns in the winning effort.
Virginia led 10-7 after the first quarter behind a 35-yard field goal from senior kicker Ian Frye and a 1-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Charlie Hopkins. Hood added a touchdown in the second quarter, but Frye converted a 26-yard attempt to even the game at halftime.
The Tar Heels, the nation’s only unranked one-loss team, retook the lead after a third quarter field goal before adding another 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Junior quarterback Matt Johns committed five turnovers in the second half on four interceptions and a fumble. Five of Virginia’s six second-half drives ended in a turnover.
Virginia outrushed North Carolina 205-196 behind a career high 117 rushing yards for junior running back Taquan Mizzell. Sophomore Daniel Hamm added 70 yards, including a 53-yard scamper in the first quarter.
Johns finished 17-30 for just 148 yards. Mizzell was also Virginia’s leading receiver with 6 receptions for 57 yards. Sophomore safety Quin Blanding recorded the team’s first interception of the season when he picked Williams in the second quarter.
Virginia will next face Georgia Tech Saturday at Scott Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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