CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Sam Howell threw three touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores as No. 24 North Carolina shook off the disappointment a loss in its opener with a 59-17 win over Georgia State on Saturday night.
Georgia State (0-2) was held to 90 passing yards. Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV was 12 for 26 for 68 yards.
Howell played a role in four of the Tar Heels’ first six touchdowns. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 352 yards without an interception. He was picked off three times in a 17-10 setback at Virginia Tech a week earlier in the team’s opener.
Howell’s touchdown runs came on a 22-yard scramble for the game’s first points, and on the junior’s career-long 62-yard run in the final seconds of the third quarter.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
North Carolina’s lead was 24-10 midway through the third quarter before the Tar Heels (1-1) used a 28-point burst in about 9½ minutes.
Tennessee transfer Ty Chandler scored his first TD for North Carolina on a 2-yard run in the third quarter.
Howell’s touchdown throws in the first half came on a 57-yard connection with Antoine Green, and a 30-yard play to Emery Simmons. He threw for 5 yards to Josh Downs in the fourth quarter.
Georgia State’s scoring drive in the second quarter lasted 17 plays and 7½ minutes, covering 75 yards capped by Brown’s 4-yard run.
Breakdowns on defense came too frequently for the Panthers, who’ve allowed a total of 102 points in two games. Five of North Carolina’s touchdowns came on plays of 20 or more yards.
Georgia State plays at home against Charlotte on Saturday.
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