UNC came out on top of N.C. State in a battle of in-state rivals on homecoming day at Carter Finely Stadium, beating the Wolfpack 27-19.
N.C. State’s graduate student quarterback Brandon Mitchell became the first N.C. State quarterback to rush for over 100 yards since 1976, while UNC’s stand out junior tight end Eric Ebron broke two of his own single-season records. Ebron has the most receptions by a tight end in a single season in UNC history, and also most receiving yards by a tight end by a Tar Heel.
State’s sophomore cornerback Juston Burris intercepted Brent Renner’s pass on the second play of the game, giving the Wolfpack great field position early in the first quarter.
The Wolfpack capitalized on Renner’s mistake. On his second game back from a foot injury, Mitchell carried the ball six yards for a touchdown, putting the Pack up 7-0 within the first two minutes.
The Wolfpack took its next drive deep into Tar Heels’ territory, but couldn’t punch the ball in for a touchdown, settling for a 20-yard field goal by junior kicker Niklas Sade.
Down 10-0, the Tar Heels quickly responded with two scoring drives of their own. Sophomore quarterback Marquise Williams entered the game for Brent Renner and made his presence known.
After State’s senior linebacker D.J. Green was ejected due to a targeting penalty, Williams completed a two-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Quinshad Davis for a touchdown to put the Tarheels on the board.
After a failed fake punt attempt by the Pack, UNC’s senior quarterback Bryn Renner reentered the game and ran the ball in on the goal-line to put the Tar Heel in control, 14-7.
In the second quarter, N.C. State’s sophomore running back Shadrach Thornton broke off an impressive 20-yard run. But the Wolpack’s drive ended in disappointment again with another field goal by Sade. Sade’s second of four field goals on the afternoon made the score 14-13 in favor of the Heels.
N.C. State’s next drive ended with another Sade field goal to put the Pack in the lead 16-14, but UNC responded with a 59-yard option pass from freshman wide receiver Ryan Switzer to Davis, to put the Tarheels up 21-16 in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Sade kicked another field goal to make the score 21-19 in favor of the Heels.
After an interception thrown by Brandon Mitchell, UNC’s freshman running back T.J. Logan broke through the Wolfpack’s defensive line and scored on a 14 yard run to put the Tarheels up 27-19 in the fourth quarter, but UNC’s junior kicker Thomas Moore missed the extra point.
Junior quarterback Pete Thomas replaced Brandon Mitchell for State at 6:20 in the fourth quarter after Mitchell threw this second interception, this one into double coverage. Thomas led the pack 40 yards down the field before UNC’s defense forced a turnover on downs.
The Tar Heels were able to run the clock down and leave Carter Finely stadium with a win over the Wolfpack.
