ACC Football: UNC 38, Georgia Tech 31

UNC TSN 091215 CB-30ATLANTA, GA. – The North Carolina Tar Heels took their show on the road and shocked the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in winning by a 38-31 margin at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday.

Trailing 21-0 with 4:34 to go in the second quarter, the Tar Heels (4-1, 1-0) put together their largest-ever comeback and snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Yellow Jackets (2-3, 0-2) on their home field.

North Carolina rushed for 231 yards led by quarterback Marquise Williams (13-24, 134 yards) who carried the ball for a career-high 148 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns to go with a TD reception.

Elijah Hood rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries and scored a pair of short touchdowns – the second time this season he has scored two rushing touchdowns in a game.

Down by 21, Hood scored on a two-yard run for the Tar Heels with 1:29 remaining in the second quarter.

Williams then scored on a seven-yard keeper with four seconds remaining which cut the UNC deficit to seven, trailing 21-14 by halftime.

On the first drive of the second half, placekicker Nick Weiler converted a 37-yard field goal attempt for North Carolina.

After allowing 204 rushing yards in the first half, the Tar Heels defense limited Georgia Tech to just 51 in the second half.

Trailing 28-17, Hood ran the ball in from one yard out and pulled North Carolina to within four points with 6:51 remaining the third quarter.

Tar Heels defensive end Junior Gnonkonde returned a fumble for 20 yards early in the fourth quarter which turned the momentum in North Carolina’s favor.

On the ensuing possession, Williams gave North Carolina a three-point lead, 31-28, after he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Quinshad Davis (3 catches, 36 yards).

Leading the UNC defense, linebackers Jeff Schoettmer and Cayson Collins both finished with 10 tackles, with Shakeel Rashad close behind with nine and kept Georgia Tech’s offense in check late in the game.

Williams scored what proved to be the winning touchdown on a 27-yard run with 4:52 remaining.

With North Carolina leading 38-28, the Yellow Jackets scored a field goal on their next possession.

However, it wasn’t enough and North Carolina completed the comeback and claimed a valuable road win.

Highlights: ACC Digital Network – TheACC.com