UNC beats NC State 45-34, wins 11th in a row
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The rosters were largely intact from last year's State-Carolina throwdown, but the result could not have been more different Saturday at Carter-Finley.
The Heels stampeded to a decisive 45-34 win, their eleventh straight W in this now potentially remarkable season.
The Pack had demolished UNC at Kenan last year, the 35-7 final not nearly indicative of the physical domination by State that day.
Dave Doeren made his infamous 'hands in the dirt...a school founded by tough people' comments in the postgame and they were entirely fitting.
Fast forward a year and the game 'done changed.'
Carolina's big play, lightning strike offense overwhelmed the Pack D. A 28 play first quarter blizzard that yielded 35 points. When Elijah Hood (220 yards, 2 TDs) wasn't smashing his way into the secondary, TJ Logan (100 yards) was gashing State, zipping his way to two long TD gallops. He was showcasing the electric ability we'd been long waiting to see from him at UNC.
Hood said afterwards that UNC's O-Line was 'mashing' the Pack's defensive front.
The rest of the game was largely academic. State briefly threatened to make it a game. After Mack Hollins dropped a surefire TD, Jacoby Brissett punched in a 3 yard keeper to make it 35-23.
Immediately though, Carolina had the answer, an 11 play 73 yard drive capped by a Hood 1 yard plunge.
Carolina has now accomplished both of its preseason goals. A Coastal Division title was locked up last week, the 'State Title' put on lock tonight. In Jeff Schoettmer's words 'We dominated the state.'
Time now to set their sights even higher. Larry Fedora's self-described 'special group of guys' stare down the #1 team in the land for the ACC championship. It's gonna be a game.
