Story by
UNC football holds off late Stanford rally to win second-straight game
- Story by
- UNC football holds off late Stanford rally to win second-straight game
Football games don't have to be pretty throughout. That certainly was the case for UNC on Saturday, as it welcomed Stanford to Kenan Stadium in a battle of 3-win ACC teams.
Yet, somehow, North Carolina emerged from a defensive battle with a 20-15 win. The Tar Heels (4-5, 2-3 ACC) won their second-straight game, moving a step closer to bowl eligibility in a season which – a month ago – didn't seem remotely possible.
Advertisement
UNC's defense, which set the tone defensively with six first-half sacks and finished with nine, survived a late scare from the Cardinal (3-7, 2-5 ACC). Stanford marched 80 plays in nine yards and 3:07 on its final drive, capping it off with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Brown to CJ Williams, closing their deficit to five points.
The Cardinal failed their ensuing 2-point attempt and nearly recovered their onside kick, but still got the football back with under a minute to play. Stanford picked up a couple first downs, then Melkart Abou-Jaoude effectively ended things with his third sack, bumping his ACC lead to 10.
Tyler Thompson broke out for a career night, as North Carolina's redshirt freshman edge rusher tied Abou-Jaoude with a team-high three sacks. Andrew Simpson generated a pair of sacks, while Smith Vilbert recorded one of his own.
The Tar Heels played far from stellar offensively, but roared out of halftime with a 75-yard, 12-play drive. Gio Lopez completed three passes to Davion Gause on that drive, with their final connection on a 20-yard wheel route, in which Gause burst past the Stanford defense and positioned himself against a defender. North Carolina generated 249 yards throughout Saturday's game, compared to 320 for the Cardinal.
Advertisement
Two drives later, Rece Verhoff converted on a 48-yard field goal. The drive after Verhoff's field goal, Lopez connected with UNC WR1 Jordan Shipp for a 55-yard touchdown – in which Shipp took advantage of a fallen Cardinal defender, changed direction and raced towards a cheering student section just past the end zone.
The Tar Heels still have plenty to work on as they prepare for a short, Week 12 trip to Wake Forest , but they did just enough to beat Stanford (3-7, 2-5 ACC) on Saturday night.
Game over! Heels win!
Stanford in a position to win...
Shipp coming through in the clutch
Crisis averted?
Uh-oh.
Can the Tar Heels hold on?
Stanford offense comes alive late
That was quick! Another touchdown for the good guys
It only took the Tar Heels three plays – and 1:01 – to march 60 yards for the score.
Advertisement
Tyler Thompson ...the difference-maker
That's now a two-possession lead for UNC
UNC up seven after three quarters
The Tar Heels are 15 minutes away from their second-straight victory. North Carolina took a 10-3 lead in the third quarter, thanks to a 20-yard Davion Gause touchdown reception. UNC's defense limited Stanford to 30 yards in the quarter.
Tar Heels will face third and 15 from the Stanford 41 to open up the fourth quarter.
Game-changing turnover?
Maginness pins Stanford deep after UNC drive stalls
The Tar Heels generated just 29 yards on seven plays, but advanced from their own 2-yard line to the 31.
Advertisement
UNC comes up big on defense
After the Tar Heels scored a touchdown, they limited Stanford to 25 yards on four plays during its ensuing drive, which included an intentional grounding penalty.
UNC takes over from its own 5-yard line with 5:25 left in the third quarter.
UNC's second half offense starting on the right note
Gio Lopez to Davion Gause for six...touchdown UNC!
UNC and Stanford tied at the half
The Tar Heels and Cardinal are locked into a low-scoring, 3-3 defensive battle at halftime. North Carolina has six sacks, but only 47 yards of total offense.
Demon June has just five first-half yards, a week after collecting 182 at Syracuse. Tar Heels aren't showcasing a ton of offensive variety.
Advertisement
Stanford drills the field goal heading into halftime
No offense in Chapel Hill tonight.
UNC keeps the lead on a lucky break
Stanford did its job defensively on the Tar Heels' last drive, forcing a Gio Lopez fumble and setting itself up deep in enemy territory.
North Carolina stuffed Champ Hampton on a third-down run, forcing the Cardinal field goal attempt. Emmet Kenney missed wide right from 41 yards out, allowing UNC to keep a 3-0 lead.
6:11 remaining in the first half.
Abou-Jaoude having quite the season for UNC
Stanford responds with a big defensive play of its own
Abou-Jaoude's sack sets the defensive tone
Stanford doesn't get much going on its first drive of the second quarter, thanks to another strong defensive stand from UNC. Tar Heels defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude picks up his second sack of the night, also his seventh in the Tar Heels' past three games.
Advertisement
End of first quarter
UNC took a 3-0 lead into the second quarter. Tar Heels making an early impact with three sacks on their defense, but offense isn't moving the football much.
UNC comes away with points
Tar Heels force the turnover!
TWO sacks for UNC!
UNC football captains for today
Here come the Tar Heels!
What does that spell?
A parachute entrance
UNC football starts Jordan Shipp and Marcus Allen
25 minutes 'till kickoff
More pregame tailgating scenes
The last time UNC and Stanford played...
Coach Saban picking Stanford?
Chapel Bill.
Doesn't get prettier that UNC in the fall
A pregame tradition
First-time tailgater?
How to Watch UNC vs. Stanford
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Stanford Cardinal
Advertisement
WHEN? Saturday, November 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET
WHERE? Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV? The CW Network
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 201 and 380)
LINE? UNC-7.5
LAST MEETING? Stanford 25, UNC 23 on 12/30/16 in Sun Bowl from El Paso, Tx.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Stanford leads, 2-1
PREDICTION? UNC 33, Stanford 23
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: Tar Heels survive Stanford rally, win second-straight
