The North Carolina
Tar Heels
compiled their most valiant effort on the gridiron Saturday, dominating Richmond in a 41-6 blowout.
UNC (2-1) continued its early-season streak of opening drive scores, thanks to a Rece Verhoff field goal. Another field goal, five touchdowns and 254 yards later, the Tar Heels
left Kenan Stadium with big smiles on their faces.
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One of North Carolina's five touchdowns went to Nebraska
transfer linebacker Mikai Gbayor
, who scored on a 61-yard fumble return. For his standout Week 3 performance, Gbayor earned ACC Football Linebacker of the Week Honors.
In addition to his fumble return for a touchdown, Gbayor generated a strip-sack that defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude
recovered. Gbayor's final stat line included six tackles (two solo), a sack, tackle for loss, forced fumble and defensive touchdown.
With his score, Gbayor gave the Tar Heels their first scoop-and-score since 2021, when Trey Morrison
did the same thing against Duke.
Collectively, UNC's defense played its most complete game of the season
against Richmond
(1-2), limiting the visiting Spiders
to 199 yards and just 3.2 yards per play. North Carolina's pass defense was stunning in particular, holding quarterbacks Kyle Wickersham and Ashten Snelsire to 75 yards.
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The Tar Heels will get their toughest test in Week 4
, traveling to sunny Orlando (Fla.) for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff against the UCF Knights
on September 20. UCF (2-0) is averaging 491 yards per game, 21st-best amongst FCS schools.
Gbayor is only one of UNC's many stars from Saturday's game. Who will rise to the challenge this coming weekend, leading North Carolina against an electric offense?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire:
UNC football starter Mikai Gbayor named ACC Linebacker of the Week
