Defensive coordinators, beware.
Georgia Tech and North Carolina had little problem picking up first downs and scoring touchdowns at Kenan Stadium on Saturday. Even though the game didn’t have the point total of these teams’ meeting here two years ago, it was reminiscent of the November 2012 meeting that remains the highest-scoring game in ACC history.
Except this time, North Carolina won, 48-43.
When Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC) took a 10-7 lead after more than four minutes had elapsed in the second quarter, the game seemed to be taking on a Tech type of pace, more like last year’s 28-20 home victory over the Tar Heels. The Yellow Jackets’ two scoring drives each lasted more than six minutes.
North Carolina (3-4, 1-2) then shifted into a higher gear, scoring touchdowns on drives of 1:30 and 3:18 to take a 21-10 lead. Both scores were Marquise Williams-to-Ryan-Switzer passes, the first a deep pass of 68 yards, the second a 15-yard sideline throw on third-and-4.
On the second touchdown, Switzer made Tech cornerback Chris Milton miss at the 11 before darting into the end zone, a play that had defensive coordinator Ted Roof slamming the press-box table in front of him with his fists.
The game suddenly seemed to speed up, resembling more the teams’ last meeting in Chapel Hill, a 68-50 victory for the Jackets. In that game, the teams combined for 1,085 yards.
At halftime of this one, the teams had a combined 562 yards — Tar Heels 283, Yellow Jackets 279 — ahead of the pace of two years ago. The third and fourth quarters were more of the same, as the teams exchanged touchdowns early and late, finishing with a combined 1,190.
When North Carolina defensive back Sam Smiley whiffed on a pass breakup early in the third, Tech was back in front 24-21 on a 55-yard touchdown pass to Darren Waller three minutes into the second half.
North Carolina then quickly drove 75 yards to take the lead back. A rare punt — Tech had two — gave UNC the ball back, and the Tar Heels drove down the field with a combination of runs and short passes, taking a 35-24 lead on Romar Morris’ touchdown run up the middle.
Tech coach Paul Johnson on whether the game reminded him of two years ago at Kenan:
“Well, yeah. You wanted the ball last.”
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