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CHAPEL HILL, NC – It took a comedy of errors for the state of Florida to turn North Carolina upside down last October in Tallahassee. What happened at Kenan Stadium on Saturday was nothing but a beating as the Seminoles handed the favored Tar Heels a crushing 35-25 loss.
There was at least an ideal start for UNC (3-3, 2-3 ACC), who sandwiched a pair of scoring drives around a three-and-out Seminole to take a 10-0 lead. . Grayson Atkins’ 51-yard basket in UNC opening practice was the longest of his Tar Heel career, while Sam Howell’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs marked the seventh consecutive game the duo had managed to score.
Florida State (2-4, 2-2 ACC) took control from there, scoring touchdowns on their next three possessions to take a 21-10 lead at halftime and then putting the game aside with a pair of third quarter touchdowns to build a 35-17 lead.
Howell completed 17 of 32 passes for 203 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while running 108 yards on 11 carries. Downs caught nine career-high assists for 121 yards and a touchdown. FSU quarterback Jordan Travis delivered perhaps the best performance of his career, making 11 of 13 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns and running for 121 yards and two scores.
Mack Brown fell to 0-11 against his alma mater.
Identity confirmed
So much for the struggles of the UNC being a road problem. Kenan Stadium offered no protection despite the double-digit lead. The Tar Heels continued their offensive approach to big play and bad play, while Jay Bateman’s defense confirmed they still haven’t figured out how to stop a running quarterback. Add 12 penalties for 110 yards and all the ingredients were in place for a monumental upheaval that will somewhat eclipse the 45-22 debacle in downtown Atlanta 14 days ago.
UNC lost for the seventh time as a favorite since 2019 and lost as a double-digit favorite for the second time in three weeks. Either the Tar Heels are massively underperforming after their pre-season Top 10 ranking, or they’ve never been so good at the start. What is clear is that UNC will most likely be an underdog in four of its last six games, putting bowl eligibility into question one season after the program’s first appearance at the Orange Bowl.
Offensive misfires
After two quality practices to open the game, UNC’s offense settled into a crunch, scoring once on its next six possessions. The Tar Heels landed on Howell’s legs to fuel a ground game as Josh Downs again represented the only threat to receive in a passing attack that was delayed by falls, stray throws and pressure .
The efforts of offensive coordinator Phil Longo to work his plan around available personnel remain a work in progress, which is problematic given that the Tar Heels are already halfway through the season and their goals for the division title. coast are suspended for next season.
Defensive fusion
Brown referred to his defense’s inability to contain quarterbacks several times last week, which made sense given that Travis ran 107 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries in the loss of the year. last. Even so, the Tar Heels had little response for the Seminole’s hasty offense, led by career-high Travis, 121 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries (8.6 ypc).
Treshaun Ward contributed 77 rushing yards and Jashaun Corbin added 52 as Florida State racked up 238 rushing yards at a 5.8 yard clip per carry.
For a defense that is expected to take a significant step forward in 2021, these types of performances against average infractions will further increase the criticism directed at Bateman, especially given the number of four-star talent at his disposal.
Following
UNC will complete their three-game home stand when Miami arrives for a kick-off at 3:30 p.m. next Saturday (ESPN / ESPN2 / ACCN). The Hurricanes (3-2, 0-1 ACC) have lost all three of their games to opponents from Power 5 this season. Manny Diaz’s team had a week off on Saturday.
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