In the biggest matchup of the season, the UNC-Chapel Hill Tar Heels traveled east to the City of Oaks to take on their in-state rival, NC State football. By the end of the first quarter, there was a clear discrepancy between the two teams, with the stifling Wolfpack defense being a key difference.
After allowing just seven points in the first half, the Wolfpack dominated its way to an emphatic 39-20 victory.
Defensive line
The Wolfpack’s defensive line had a decent game on Saturday, holding star Tar Heel running back Omarion Hampton to just nine carries for 28 yards, both season lows. The defensive line made the most of the few attempts to stop the running backs, but since UNC was playing from behind for the entirety of the game, it was forced to abandon the run game early.
Redshirt junior defensive end Red Hibbler led the defensive line, screaming off the edge on third downs to effectively end the Tar Heels’ hopes for points. It was Hibbler’s only tackle of the game, but he also had a pass defended.
The biggest issue with the defensive line was the containment of UNC quarterback Drake Maye. Carolina doesn’t have any designed quarterback runs, but Maye was able to scramble his way to nine carries for 106 yards and a touchdown. Most of the yards came on one play, when Maye was able to break free for 56 yards, flipping the field and eventually leading to a touchdown. Though able to contain running backs easily, the line must work on keeping the quarterback in the pocket.
Grade: B
Linebackers
In his last game in Carter-Finley Stadium, graduate linebacker Payton Wilson gave arguably his best performance all season. Wilson amassed 15 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
As if that wasn’t enough, Wilson made the biggest defensive play of the game. Although losing by nineteen, the Tar Heels had driven into the red zone, looking to make a fourth quarter comeback. Maye zipped a pass to receiver Tez Walker on a curl route, but Aydan White was able to deflect the pass, allowing Wilson to make a diving tip-drill interception.
Wilson is a finalist for the 2023 Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker, and has proven time and time again that he is well deserving of the commendation.
Senior linebacker Jaylon Scott was also an impact player, racking up seven tackles and a tackle for loss. His biggest play was alongside Wilson, working early in the first quarter to force a turnover. After Maye attempted to scramble on a third down conversion, Wilson ran him down, jarring the ball loose in the process. Scott immediately dove on the ball, giving the Wolfpack favorable field position on the Tar Heels’ side of the field.
Grade: A+
Secondary
The Wolfpack secondary made a great stand against the strong Tar Heel passing attack. Maye completed 22 of 38 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Though the unit allowed two passing touchdowns, the Tar Heels didn’t even get on the board until late in the first half, which was then too late to stop the Wolfpack’s momentum.
Junior cornerback Aydan White was far and away the leader of the secondary. In addition to the deflection that led to the interception, White closed the night with two tackles and another pass defended. However, his biggest contribution was spread across the whole game. For the majority of the night, White was the primary defender on Walker. Though he was able to scrape away with a touchdown, Walker ended the night with just two catches for 29 yards, both season lows.
By taking away Maye’s favorite target, he was forced to look to other pass catchers for help. Junior safety Devan Boykin iced the game on a late tip-drill interception with just under two minutes remaining. Boykin’s fourth career interception was the final nail in the coffin for the Tar Heels.
Grade: B+
