CHAPEL HIll, N.C. — North Carolina rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half for the second year in a row to beat No. 10 Wake Forest, 58-55, in Kenan Stadium on Saturday. The Tar Heels brought the Demon Deacons’ undefeated season to an end.
North Carolina (5-4) trailed Wake (8-1) 48-34 to begin the fourth quarter and scored 24 straight points before the Deacons finally answered with 37 seconds left. Wake’s onside kick attempt was batted out of bounds by UNC tight end Garrett Walston to preserve the win.
The Deacons (8-1) led North Carolina by 21 points last season in the third quarter before losing 59-53 in Chapel Hill. It was also the second straight year Wake rolled up more than 600 yards in total offense only to come up short.
The loss ended the best start in program history for Wake Forest. But it doesn’t have any bearing on whether or not they can win the ACC. The game was a non-conference matchup for the third straight season.
Chandler having a year
Carolina running back Ty Chandler rushed for a career-high 213 yards and four touchdowns including a 50-yarder to put the game out of reach with 1:12 left. It marked Chandlers’ second game in the last three that he’s rushed for more than 100 yards.
He helped power a running game that finished with 336 rushing yards.
Chandler and quarterback Sam Howell both rushed for more than 100 yards for the second time this season. The pair also and combined for six touchdowns. Howell had a career-high with 21 attempts. He finished with 104 yards. Chandler and Howell had 192 and 112 yards rushing, respectively, in their 59-39 win over Virginia.
Big return for Duck
Defensive back Don Chapman suffered a lower-body injury during the week and is out for the season. Chapman made his first start at cornerback last week against Notre Dame. As he exited the lineup, cornerback Storm Duck made his return. Duck had not played since the 59-39 win over Virginia win on Sept 18.
Duck had one of the biggest plays in the game defending Wake receiver A.T. Perry on the Deacons’ attempt to convert a fourth-down pass with 1:22 left in the game.
Defense has to shuffle linebackers
UNC senior linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, who’s arguably the most important defender for his leadership and experience, was disqualified on the last play of the first quarter. Gemmel was called for targeting while tackling Wake quarterback Sam Hartman.
That forced Carolina to replace him as freshman Power Echols entered the game as Cedric Gray moved over to Gemmel’s spot.
Gemmels has started 34 straight games for the Heels. Gray didn’t earn his first start until the Virginia game. Echols had never been an every down linebacker.
