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UNC falls to 2-2 after a massive loss to UCF 34-9 in Week 4
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- UNC falls to 2-2 after a massive loss to UCF 34-9 in Week 4
North Carolina went into Orlando, Florida, looking for its first Power Four win of the season and left in the same way it walked off the field in Week 1 — humiliated. The UCF Knights, a member of the Big 12 with TCU, routed the Tar Heels 27-6.
This second loss of UNC this season has caused criticism to ensue. From coach Belichick to Gio Lopez, the entirety of the team needs to be evaluated heading into a week off. Gio Lopez threw for 87 yards on 11 completions with two interceptions. Demon June followed up his monstrous performance with 10 carries for 50 yards.
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Lopez was injured in the middle of the third quarter, allowing Max Johnson to see more reps. He threw for 53 yards on eight completions for a touchdown. UNC will next be in action as the team opens up ACC play against Clemson at home on Saturday, October 4th.
FINAL: UNC 9, UCF 34
With just 11 seconds left, Max Johnson throws an incomplete pass on a fourth-down conversion that was followed by a UCF kneel to end the game. The Knights won 34-9 in the first-ever meeting between these two teams.
UCF scores on 10-minute, 18-play drive to go up 34-9
The ensuing Knights' possession took up 18 plays for 93 yards, over the course of 10 minutes, just on the other side of the two-minute time-out. The drive ended in a five-yard touchdown run for Jaden Nixon. The Knights are now up 34-9 with 1:54 remaining.
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UNC drive stalls after holding penalty forces 3rd-and-long
After a forced punt from the defense and multiple successful fourth-down conversions, North Carolina was forced to punt. A holding penalty from Austin Blaske put the offense in a 3rd-and-15 position, and it failed to convert. There is 12:20 remaining in the game, and the defense will come back on the field.
TOUCHDOWN! UNC 9, UCF 27
Max Johnson finds Kobe Paysour for an 8-yard touchdown pass, and for the first time this game, UNC has found the endzone. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful. Stringing together 19 plays was amazing, but taking almost nine minutes off the clock was now. UNC's defense now needs to step up.
UNC, Max Johnson convert second fourth down of the drive
Brothers Max Johnson and Jake Johnson connect on a short-yardage situation to convert the second fourth down of this drive for the Tar Heels. The march continues.
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Referees give UNC the first down, Max Johnson takes over
Max Johnson is back on the field for North Carolina. He last saw action in the TCU game after Gio Lopez left the game injured, and he led the team on a touchdown drive. Let's see if Johnson can replicate that success today.
Gio Lopez stuffed, injured on fourth-down attempt
One a fourth-down attempt in the middle of the third quarter, Gio Lopez attempted a quarterback sneak and was piled under a group of lineman and is down. The spot is yet to be determined.
UNC defense shredded, UCF scores again, goes up 27-3
On just six plays, the Knights went 64 yards in just over two and a half minutes for another touchdown. Myles Montgomery scored his first of the day on the ground. The lead extends.
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UNC forced to punt on second-half opening drive
After receiving the second-half kickoff and needing to make something happen, Gio Lopez and company were forced into a two-minute three-and-out and punted. UCF muffed the punt but recovered.
Halftime Score: UNC 3, UCF 20
North Carolina Team Leaders
Gio Lopez: 7/10, 68 yards, two interceptions
Demon June: 5 carries, 26 yards
Jordan Shipp: 2 receptions, 34 yards
Central Florida Team Leaders
Tayven Jackson: 16/20, 148 yards, 1 touchdown
Tayven Jackson: 7 carries, 34 yards, 1 touchdown
Marcus Burke: 2 receptions, 35 yards
UCF scores a touchdown to end the half, leads 20-3
After two massive 15-yard penalties on UNC that kept the drive alive, Tayven Jackson threw a dart to a wide-open Kylan Fox for a 17-yard touchdown to put UCF up 20-3. The extra point was converted by Noe Ruelas.
FG Good! Tar Heels put first points on the board, trail 13-3
After a stalled drive, Rece Verhoff remains perfect and puts the Tar Heels on the board for the first time this game on a converted 40-yard field goal. Just over a minute remains in the half.
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UNC defense forces first UCF punt of the day
Even though it took a mistake by Tayven Jackson not to stretch the ball forward, UNC's defense holds the Knights to its first three-and-out of the day, and continues to pick up momentum. Now, the offense just needs to get on the same page. UNC takes over at its own 49-yard line with 3:11 remaining in the second quarter.
Gio Lopez throws interception inside red zone
North Carolina's offense came alive, heading all the way down to the red zone. However, Gio Lopez threw a strike that deflected, hit up into the air, and was intercepted by UCF defensive back Braeden Marshall. UCF takes over on its eight-yard line with 5:27 left in the half.
Tar Heels hold UCF to red-zone field goal, trail 13-3
After letting Tayven Jackson and the Knights march down the field, a stop and a penalty allow the UNC defense to hold UCF to just a field goal for the second time this game. Noe Ruelas nails a 41-yard field goal to put the home side up 13-0 with 10:03 remaining.
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UCF converts game's second fourth down, keeps drive alive
UCF's quarterback Tayven Jackson keeps the ball and rushes for one yard on the Knights' second fourth-down conversion of the game.
First quarter ends with UCF up 10-0 and driving
UNC ends the first quarter with just two total yards on offense in two drives. UCF leads 10-0 with 114 yards of offense and six total first downs. They have held the ball for 10 minutes and 50 seconds to UNC's four minutes and 10 seconds. The Tar Heels will need to find some answers and quickly before this game gets out of hand.
Gio Lopez sacked, forces UNC three-and-out on second drive
Gio Lopez was sacked on third down for a loss of 15 yards by Sincere Edwards. UNC is forced to punt the ball after just three plays in its second drive.
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Former UNC star receiver calls for Max Johnson after Lopez struggles
Tar Heels' defense holds UCF to a field goal, trails 10-0
After starting just 23 yards to the endzone, the UNC defense, which didn't have a stop for Tayven Jackson on the first drive, held him to a three-and-out on the second drive. Noe Ruelas hits a 36-yard field goal to put UCF up 10-0, scoring on each of its first two drives.
Gio Lopez intercepted by Nyjalik Kelly
Just two players after an interception was negated by a flag, Gio Lopez throws another interception. This time, the pick stands from Nyjalik Kelly, and UCF takes over at the 23-yard line of UNC.
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UCF pick-six negated by penalty, leads to UNC first down
On a 3rd on 10, in the first look at UNC's offense, Gio Lopez throws a pass that was intercepted for a touchdown. The touchdown was negated by a UCF offside penalty on John Walker. Lopez completed a 10-yard pass to Jordan Shipp on the 3rd nad 5, securing the team's first, first down of the game.
UCF goes up 7-0 early after a long and patient first drive
The Knights cap off a 13-play drive for 75 yards, eating up six minutes and 37 seconds on the clock. Tayven Jackson ran for a 13-yard touchdown on a bootleg, while Noe Ruelas made the extra point. UNC's defense didn't seem to have any answer to the UCF offense on the first drive.
UCF keeps first drive alive with fourth down conversion
Scott Frost decided to go for a fourth down and converted on a two-yard run by Tayven Jackson to keep the drive alive for UCF and secure their second first down of the drive.
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North Carolina gets huge injury news
From the looks of it, UNC will get center Austin Blaske back in this game. This is huge news for quarterback Gio Lopez and the rest of the offensive line. Blaske has been out since the middle of August and has yet to play a snap this season.
Its going to be a hot one on Saturday afternoon
Orlando, Florida, is projected to be near 90 degrees with 73% humidity at kickoff this afternoon.
North Carolina will don white jerseys.
Take a look at North Carolina's uniform combination for the road game, going with a blue helmet, white top and white pants for Saturday's showdown.
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How to Watch/Listen to North Carolina at UCF
TV Channel: FOX Sports
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 83 or 381)
Website: FOX Sports
UNC at UCF betting prediction, picks, odds
All College Football Odds via BetMGM
Spread:UCF -7
Moneyline: North Carolina +200, UCF -250
O/U Total: 47.5
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football routed by UCF 34-9 in Week 4: Highlights
