CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina's defense finally created the turnovers coach Mack Brown had been looking for, begging for really, to help power its 48-21 win over N.C. State Saturday in Kenan Stadium.
The No. 14 Tar Heels (4-1, 4-1 ACC) entered the game with only two turnovers to speak of, and a third that came on a two-point conversion that doesn't count statistically. They recorded four takeaways from the No. 23 Wolfpack (4-2, 4-2) including a Don Chapman interception that denied a potentially momentum-changing touchdown in the second quarter. It was the first game this season the Heels created more than one turnover.
Trailing 17-7 in the third quarter, N.C. State was very much in the game. Freshman quarterback Ben Finley entered and ignited a sluggish offense that totaled just 28 yards in the first quarter. The Pack took their opening possession and had moved into Carolina territory when Finley's pass for Porter Rooks was tipped by linebacker Tyrone Hopper and intercepted by Chazz Surratt.
The Heels' first interception led to a missed field goal, but this one they needed just four plays — including a 32-yard catch by Michael Carter — to score and take a 24-7 lead. Surratt's interception led to a 21-point outburst in the third quarter and effectively put the game away.
No drive was arguably more deflating than when it seemed State had Carolina pinned at its own 1-yard-line. Javonte Williams eliminated any disadvantage immediately ripping off a 24-yard run. And 12 plays later, Williams capped off the 99-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Williams finished with his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game with 160 yards and three touchdowns.
UNC rolled up 578 yards total offense, which included Michael Carter rushing for 106 yards and Dyami Brown with 105 receiving yards on seven catches. It was exactly the bounce back game the Tar Heels needed after suffering a 31-28 loss at Florida State last week. The loss snapped N.C. State's three-game winning streak.
The Pack may have found their quarterback moving forward to replace injured starter Devin Leary. Finley, the brother of former Pack signal caller Ryan Finley, replaced an ineffective Bailey Hockman early in the second quarter. Hockman, who started the first two games this season, led their first three drives and managed just one first down and one completed pass.
Finley immediately breathed life into the offense. Though the play calls were conservative, keeping his throws short and many times to the flat, they sped up the tempo, rejuvenated and kept UNC off balance. The Pack pieced together a drive into the red zone that should have ended with a touchdown. But Dylan Parham stumbled and was falling backward when Finley's pass hit him in the hands. As he bobbled it twice it popped into the air and into the diving hands of Chapman for an interception.
When the Pack let Finley throw downfield it paid off on their ensuing drive. Finley connected with Emeka Emezie for a 42-yard score as the Pack pulled within 14-7. Finley finished the first half 9 of 12 passing for 128 yards, but most importantly, he gave N.C. State a bit of hope that it could pull the upset.
Carolina went into halftime with a bit of optimism too after using the last 54 seconds to march for a field goal. Grayson Atkins drilled a 40-yarder on the final play of the half thanks to a couple of big pass plays from Howell that got the Heels in position. The make gave Atkins a boost after he missed a 22-yarder on the previous possession and Carolina's lead never dipped below double digits the rest of the game.
