BLACKSBURG, Va. _ It took six overtimes, but North Carolina's game against Virginia Tech on Saturday night finally ended. But it wasn't how the Tar Heels hoped it would end.
UNC got the ball to start the sixth overtime period and was stopped.
Virginia Tech received the next possession and won the game, 43-41, on a quarterback draw by Virginia Tech quarterback Quincy Patterson II. The Hokies were down to their third-string quarterback, after starter Hendon Hooker went down with an injury, and Ryan Willis struggled.
But that didn't matter. The Tar Heels couldn't stop Patterson. His 53-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter tied the score and sent it to the first overtime.
With the loss, the Tar Heels now fall to 3-4 on the season and are one game back in the ACC Coastal Division. The loss is a huge setback for UNC, which appeared to be hitting its stride after a close loss to Clemson and a 38-21 win over Georgia Tech the following week.
The Tar Heels have now lost four consecutive games to Virginia Tech dating back to the 2016 season.
They will face Duke next Saturday at home.
"We had our opportunities time and time and time again and when you get those opportunities, you've got to take them," UNC coach Mack Brown said after the game. "And we just didn't do that tonight."
The Tar Heels multiple opportunities to win the game. After 68-yard touchdown pass from Sam Howell to Antoine Green gave UNC a 31-24 lead with 5:11 left, the Tar Heels' defense had an opportunity to stop Virginia Tech. But Patterson's 53-yard touchdown kept the Hokies in the game.
Patterson finished with 128 rushing yards.
And in triple overtime, after Virginia Tech kicker Brian Johnson missed his field goal, UNC kicker Noah Ruggles had a chance to win the game on a 34-yard field goal attempt. But he missed it wide right.
Howell finished 26 of 49 for 348 yards and five touchdowns.
"To lose a game that close in six overtimes, it's heartbreaking, but we've got to get back and beat Duke next week," Howell said.
