Tar Heels Dominate Cavs, 41-14

Saturday, October 26

Charlottesville, Va.

Noon

North Carolina

4-4 , 1-3

Virginia

4-4 , 2-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

North Carolina

Virginia

J.J. Jones

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

October 26, 2024 | Football

Box Score Final Stats (.pdf)Postgame Notes Media Central Photo Gallery

By: Matt Bowers

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.— Omarion Hampton and J.J. Jones each scored twice and North Carolina's defense played its best game of the season as the Tar Heels smothered Virginia, 41-14, on Saturday afternoon at Scott Stadium.

Carolina bullied its way to a season-high six sacks in the first half alone, limiting the Cavaliers to just 77 offensive yards, (including only four on the ground) in a dominant opening 30 minutes. The Tar Heels outscored UVA, 17-3, in the second quarter.

In the game, UNC posted 10 sacks, reaching double-digits for the first time since a 2000 game against Wake Forest. Virginia mustered just seven rushing yards overall.

The Tar Heels scored two touchdowns in the final 1:32 of the first half to blow open a close game and take control. Carolina led by as many as 32 points in the fourth quarter at 38-6.

Jones caught five passes for 129 yards and two TDs, averaging 25.8 yards per grab in the first multi-TD catch performance of his career. Tar Heel quarterback Jacolby Criswell completed 19 of 30 passes for 293 yards (second-most in his career) and two touchdowns.

Hampton ran for 105 yards and two scores on 26 carries. He has rushed for over 100 yards in seven of his first eight games this season and 16 times overall. He's the only Tar Heel to rush for 100+ yards in seven or more games in multiple seasons.

Hampton crossed the 1,000-yard threshold for the second season in a row early in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 1,006 yards in eight games this fall. He is the ninth Tar Heel with multiple 1,000-yard seasons and the sixth to score 30 or more rushing touchdowns.

The Tar Heels (4-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) picked up their first ACC win of the year and snapped their four-game losing streak, while the Cavaliers (4-4, 2-3) dropped their third game in a row. UNC improved to 3-1 on the road this season, 24-23 in Scott Stadium and 27-27 overall in Charlottesville.

Mack Brown's UNC teams are now 74-10 when they score 30 or more points and 49-2 when scoring 40+.

Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed 16 of 28 passes for only 156 yards as Carolina outgained the Cavaliers, 428-288.

How It Happened
First Quarter
• The Tar Heel defense came up big in the first quarter, holding the Cavaliers to a field goal and a 3-0 lead at the 8:36 mark after UVA had a first-and-goal from the UNC one-yard line.
• Three minutes later, Carolina took a 7-3 lead when Criswell connected on a 37-yard, screen pass catch and run with Jones, breaking two tackles on the way to the end zone.
• UNC limited UVA to 1.3 yards per play and three first downs in the opening 15 minutes.

Second Quarter
• Carolina went up by a touchdown at 10-3 halfway through the second quarter when Noah Burnette connected on a 30-yard field goal after a 12-play drive stalled in the red zone.
• On its ensuing drive, Virginia marched down to the UNC 10-yard line in 11 plays before settling for a 27-yard field goal that made the score 10-6.
• Helped by a UVA roughing the passer penalty on the next drive, Carolina moved into Cavalier territory quickly. Criswell connected with Jones for 25 yards down to the 15 just before the two-minute warning, and Hampton ran it in for a touchdown with 1:32 left in the half to make the score 17-6.
• After stopping the Cavs' final drive of the half, the Tar Heels were aggressive after taking over with 1:10 remaining. Criswell hit Jones for a 31-yard score with just five seconds left before the break, giving Carolina a 24-6 lead.
• UNC sacked Colandrea six times before halftime. Its previous season high in a full game was five in the season opener at Minnesota on August 29.

Third Quarter
• Kaimon Rucker intercepted Colandrea on UVA's opening drive of the second half, giving UNC great field position inside the Cavalier 35-yard line. Four plays later, Hampton broke a tackle and scampered for an eight-yard TD to make the score 31-6 in UNC's favor.
• Jahvaree Ritzie returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown and a 38-6 lead in the final 20 seconds of the quarter.

Fourth Quarter
• UVA backup quarterback Tony Muskett threw a 68-yard TD pass to J.R. Wilson with 10:07 to play.

Up Next
Carolina will play its second consecutive road game when it visits Florida State on Saturday November 2.

Gallery: (10-26-2024) Tar Heels Humble Hoos 41-14