GoHeels Exclusive: Missed Opportunity
October 15, 2018 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
The moment Michael Carter walked into the fifth-floor lobby of the Kenan Football Center, reporters started scattering, searching for where the North Carolina sophomore tailback might sit.
Carter was sure to be a popular interview subject after rushing for a career-high 165 yards. But his first question didn't concern that. Instead, he was asked to rehash the details of his final carry, the one from Saturday night's 22-19 loss to Virginia Tech that will linger the most in his mind.
Leading 19-14 with under seven minutes left, the Tar Heels faced first-and-goal at the Hokies' 1-yard line. Nathan Elliott received the snap under center and handed the ball off to Carter. A touchdown seemed imminent. But as Carter neared the goal line, Virginia Tech's Tyree Rodgers knocked the ball loose. The Hokies recovered it. They then marched 98 yards for a touchdown.
If Carter doesn't fumble, maybe UNC holds on to defeat Virginia Tech for the first time since 2015. But it wasn't meant to be. And Carter's big night was subsequently spoiled.
"(I had) a cool little game, 165 rushing yards or whatever," he said. "I fumbled, too, though. So who am I to say I had a good game? Period, I fumbled. And it was a critical point in the game. For me to just be like, 'Yeah, well, at least I played a good game,' would be selfish of me."
Carter could've won the game for Carolina. But he certainly didn't lose it.
With Carter averaging 9.2 yards per carry, the Tar Heels drove inside the Hokies' 26-yard line eight other times Saturday. They scored just one touchdown, though. They settled for six field goal attempts, making four and missing two. They also turned the ball over on downs.
In addition to that, UNC fumbled on the first offensive play of the game, setting up Virginia Tech's first touchdown. A surefire touchdown pass by Cade Fortin was later dropped.
Overall, Carolina probably left 24 points on the field.
"It's frustrating, very frustrating," Larry Fedora said. "I don't have a single explanation other than when we get down to the red zone, we have to smell the end zone and want to get there in the worst way and find a way to get there."
The squandered opportunities were maddening on what was a wonderful night, result aside. Fans showed up in full force for the first Saturday night game in Kenan Stadium since a 50-14 win over Wake Forest on Oct. 17, 2015. And the atmosphere was electric.
No moment was more notable than the one that came at the end of the third quarter, when the students turned on their cell phone flashlights during the fourth-quarter hype video. As "Hells Bells" transitioned to "Can't Be Touched," the entire team sprinted to the student section.
"It was great," said Jason Strowbridge of the environment. "I don't think I've ever played in a louder Kenan. It definitely played a role in how we played."
Strowbridge and the rest of the Tar Heels' defensive linemen caused havoc all night. Behind them, UNC forced two interceptions and held the Hokies to just 224 yards on the 10 possessions that followed the Hokies' 50-yard opening touchdown drive.
Still, after Carter's fumble, Virginia Tech had hope.
The Hokies methodically went down the field, going 101 yards (due to penalties) on 18 plays. They converted three third downs and a fourth-and-9. After Dalton Keene scored on a 1-yard touchdown pass, only 19 seconds remained.
"It's tough sitting there, just watching it happen,"Â Elliott said. "Our defense played great all game. I thought they played really well, and they should've never been put in that position. Offensively, there were a couple of times we could've ended that game."
Unfortunately, none stood out more than Carter's fumble.
"I think for me to say that I'm just going to completely forget about it would be stupid," he said. "But I think it's something I can learn from."
That's all Carter and the one-win Tar Heels can do. Although a victory Saturday could've changed the feel of this season – Carolina would've been 2-1 in the ACC, with both wins coming against Coastal Division opponents – there are six games left. And some goals are still attainable.
But right now, this one stings.
"I guarantee you that guy is hurting," Fedora said, "but there's no doubt in my mind that Michael Carter will bounce back. He's going to work as hard as he does every single day because he can't work any harder. He can't give you more than he gives. He works his butt off.Â
"He'll be alright. He'll learn from it, and he'll be a better running back because of it. And we'll be a better team because of it."
