ATLANTA — North Carolina entered the fourth quarter with Georgia State tied, knowing it allowed Appalachian State 40 points just a week ago in the game’s final 15 minutes.
But the Tar Heels defense proved to be a much better unit when it mattered on Saturday.
UNC shut out the Panthers in the final quarter, holding them to just 58 total yards including just 1 of 5 on third-down conversions to pull out a 35-28 victory at Center Parc Stadium.
The Heels (3-0) were put in a few bad positions, too, but did not break in the final period. Running back D.J. Jones fumbled at the end of a 21-yard run that set the Panthers (0-2) up at the UNC 45 with 5:29 left.
GSU began its drive with a false start penalty and could not recover as Carolina’s defense forced a punt after three plays.
The Heels’ defense only allowed a field goal off three turnovers in the game. It was quite a way to end the game, when it looked like the game was headed for another shootout.
Carolina found itself trailing for the first time in the game when it imploded in the third quarter.
The Panthers scored on their opening drive when receiver Robert Lewis got a step behind cornerback Tony Grimes and safety Cam Kelly overplayed the throw to his right. Lewis caught the pass from Darren Grainger and outraced Kelly for a 49-yard score.
UNC quarterback Drake Maye then threw his first career interception — coming on his 90th pass attempt this season — on the Heels’ first snap of the second half. Maye had receiver Kobe Paysour in single coverage but didn’t put enough air under the ball.
GSU capitalized by marching for a field goal and pulling within 21-20. The Panthers would take the lead despite a drive that started at their own 2 thanks to Ben Kiernan’s career-long 70-yard punt.
Grainger connected with Lewis again for a 29-yard score and they added a two-point conversion for a 28-21 lead. The play marked 25 consecutive points for the Panthers.
Carolina quickly answered by going to its running game. Omarion Hampton burst up the middle for a 58-yard touchdown run as the Heels entered the fourth quarter tied at 28.
Hampton finished with 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns, marking his second 100-plus yard performance of the season.
The Heels seemed to be coasting in the first half, enjoying a 21-10 lead. They looked to add on another score before the half ended.
With 1:31 left in the first half, UNC coach Mack Brown gambled by going for a fourth-and-2 at UNC’s own 39. But Maye was dropped for a 9-yard loss when Jontrey Hunter wasn’t fooled by the play action.
Carolina’s maligned defense didn’t fold despite the short field. Kaimon Rucker tackled Grainger for a loss on a third down from the 26. Then Myles Murphy blocked a 44-yard field-goal attempt by getting a hand up as the ball crossed the interior of the line.
