Tar Heels open season at home by doubling up JMU 56-28

Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – If you wanted to watch a high-paced, offensive-minded football game on Saturday, Kenan Stadium was the place to be.

That’s where the North Carolina Tar Heels posted a 56-28 win over the James Madison Dukes as both teams combined for 84 points, 1,130 yards, 58 first downs, and 165 penalty yards.

Ranked as high as No. 8 in various Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) polls, James Madison had outscored its first two opponents 136-28 coming into the match-up with the Tar heels.

Defensively, North Carolina was without defensive linemen Dajaun Drennon, Nazair Jones and Tomon Fox because of injury, and that provided opportunity for the Dukes to do some damage early on.

North Carolina allowed 21 points in the first quarter, the highest total it has allowed in a quarter since 2014.

However, the Tar Heels eventually minimized the Dukes offense for the remainder of the game.

Linebacker Cayson Collins tied his career high with 10 tackles as Des Lawrence broke up three passes.

Freshman Jason Strowbridge made his first career start at defensive end, and made the most of the opportunity by recording his first career sack.


Highlights: ACC Digital Network (TheACC.com)

Offensively, UNC obliged as both teams combined for 11 touchdown drives that covered at least 72 yards each throughout the game

While UNC’s offense eventually outpaced JMU’s, the Dukes’ four touchdown drives were effective and productive in going  82, 75, 75, and 75 yards, respectively.

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky completed 24 of 27 pass attempts for a career-high 432 yards and three touchdowns.

He set the school record for most consecutive pass completions in a game with 18, breaking predecessor Marquise Williams’ 16 straight – a mark set against Pitt in 2014.

T.J. Logan had 151 all-purpose yards and scored three rushing touchdowns while tailback Elijah Hood rushed 18 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Logan finished with 44 yards receiving, 41 yards rushing, and gained 66 yards on kickoff returns while tying a career high scoring in the first, third, and fourth quarters.

Mack Hollins and Ryan Switzer each added touchdown receptions.

Hollins made a 71-yard grab, while Switzer finished with his sixth career 100-yard game (five catches, 101 yards), including a 75-yard catch that tied the second-longest of his career.

North Carolina’s second straight victory boosted its scoring total to 104 points in as many games, adding to last week’s 48-23 win at Illinois.