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UNC dominates Syracuse on Halloween, snaps 4-game losing streak for first ACC football win
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- UNC dominates Syracuse on Halloween, snaps 4-game losing streak for first ACC football win
The North Carolina Tar Heels rolled into Syracuse , New York on Friday night, hoping to snap their 4-game losing on the football field against an equally-struggling opponent.
When the final seconds ticked off, UNC left the JMA Wireless Dome with a dominating, 27-10 victory over Syracuse . North Carolina (3-5, 1-3 ACC) played arguably its most complete game of the year, countering strong defense with great offense.
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The Tar Heels moved the football at will, particularly in their 21-point second half. UNC scored on three of its four, second-half drives. Demon June took a Gio Lopez screen pass 72 yards to the end zone, then tallied a 5-yard rushing touchdown on North Carolina's ensuing drive. After another Tar Heels defensive stop, Lopez rocketed a 21-yard pass to Jordan Shipp for a touchdown.
June's two score were part of a monster day for UNC's star, true freshman running back, who out-gained Syracuse (3-6, 1-5 ACC) by himself with 182 scrimmage yards. The Orange totaled 147 yards, with their lone touchdown coming on a first-quarter scoop-and-score.
North Carolina played turnover-free football after its early fumble. Lopez, who tossed two interceptions against Virginia , completed 15 of his 19 passes for 216 yards.
The Tar Heels' defense played phenomenal football Friday night, only allowing three points, while generating five TFLs and three sacks.
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UNC returns home next week to host Stanford for Homecoming, but for now, players and coaches alike should enjoy this Halloween special. North Carolina's schedule gets easier for a couple weeks – and a bowl game still is within reach.
Game over! Heels win!
For the first time since September 13, UNC won a football game. The Tar Heels marched into Syracuse and dominated the Orange, 27-10, giving head coach Bill Belichick his first ACC victory.
North Carolina out-gained Syracuse in total yardage, 425-147, while only allowing three points defensively.
True freshman running back Demon June totaled 182 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Melkart Abou-Jaoude was a menace on defense, leading the Tar Heels with six total tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two sacks and a forced fumble. Rece Verhoff converted all three extra points and both field goal attempts.
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Lopez to Shipp for six!
The Tar Heels quickly took advantage of their fumble recovery. Four plays later, Gio Lopez fired a 21-yard rocket to sophomore wide receiver Jordan Shipp in the end zone, extending UNC's lead to 26-10.
Rece Verhoff then converted his third extra point on the night – and fifth kick overall – further pushing North Carolina's lead to 27-10.
The Tar Heels are just 10:35 away from their first ACC victory.
Defense with a HUGE play!
North Carolina forces a fumble just two minutes into the fourth quarter, recovering the football and taking over deep in Syracuse territory.
UNC leads Syracuse, 20-10.
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Syracuse turnover on downs!
Needing a score to extend the game, Syracuse marches 31 yards in seven plays, but its fourth-and-six pass attempt fails.
UNC gets another crucial defensive stop, now taking over possession with 8:21 remaining in the fourth quarter.
A first for the Tar Heels
It's DEMON TIME!
UNC got a crucial defensive stop to open the second half. On the Tar Heels' ensuing drive, star freshman running Demon June caught a screen pass from Gio Lopez, then ran 63 yards to the end zone untouched.
Rece Verhoff converted on his extra point attempt and North Carolina leads Syracuse, 13-10, just 1:34 into the second half.
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He said it best
Can UNC score six points in the second half?
How bad is Syracuse's defense? Better than UNC's offense tonight.
Third-down offense continues to be a problem
An injury to watch
Hall anchored UNC's rushing attack against Virginia and at California . If Hall is unable to return, June and Davion Gause will get a majority of North Carolina's carries.
Bad playcalling
Verhoff converts his second of the night
Rece Verhoff nails a 43-yard field with 36 seconds left in the first half, closing UNC's deficit to 10-6. The Tar Heels marched deep into Syracuse territory, but just like last week, their drive stalled.
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UNC marching into Syracuse territory with time winding down
Headlined by a big run from true freshman back Demon June, UNC finds itself on the Syracuse 31 at the first half's two-minute timeout.
North Carolina trails, 10-3, but is threatening to score before the half.
Syracuse adds a field goal
The Orange leaned on their strong run game and took advantage of a costly UNC facemask, converting on a 31-yard field goal and pushing their lead to 10-3.
UNC will get the football back with 12 minutes left in the first half.
Syracuse leads entering the second quarter
Syracuse leads UNC, 7-3, after 15 minutes of play from Upstate New York. The Tar Heels watched a costly fumble turn into an Orange touchdown. North Carolina is out-gaining Syracuse, 109-44.
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Syracuse generates a scoop-and-score
Just after UNC crosses midfield, Syracuse rips momentum right away from the Tar Heels. Gio Lopez completed a pass to Shamar Easter for two yards, then the Orange forced a fumble. Anwar Sparrow takes the football 51 yards to the end zone, Syracuse converts on the extra points and takes a 7-3 lead late in the opening quarter.
UNC gets on the board first
The Tar Heels got a big play by Kobe Paysour down the sideline to set them up deep in Syracuse's red zone. But the Tar Heels offense stalls, and they get a field goal. It's 3-0 Tar Heels in the first quarter.
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Pumpkins on the Field
YouTube TV customers are out of luck
Tar Heels warming up pregame
Decked out for Halloween
NFL scouts on hand to watch
QB change for Syracuse
Sophomore Rickie Collins started each of Syracuse's last four games, throwing for 858 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC dominates Syracuse, 27-10, on Halloween to win first ACC game
