CHAPEL HILL – Want to talk about playing fast? North Carolina scored 21 points and racked up 239 yards in the opening quarter versus Duke. All that damage was done in just 4:59 seconds. That fast start was the key to UNC jumping out over their rivals en route to a 66-31 victory.
Carolina’s first half drives covered a lot of field and waist little time. The Heels first half possessions went like this: Touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, punt, turnover on downs, touchdown, touchdown. All those drives combined covered just 12:72 minutes combined.
Even 19 seconds was enough for UNC, which scored its final touchdown of the half when Marquise Williams hit Bug Howard for a 49-yard score, leaving one second on the clock. They probably could have scored in that one second if they had the ball.
The halftime break wasn’t even enough to cool the Heels. North Carolina started the third quarter with the same pace, scoring 21 points on three drives that covered 75, 62 and 20 yards. The longest drive of the three lasted two minutes and fifty-nine seconds.
It was a record-breaking day for Williams, who finished with a school-record 494 passing yards and 4 TDs and a 222 passing rating. He had more than 400 in the first half broke the school record early in the third. The previous record was held by T.J. Yates, who threw for 443 against Florida State in 2010. Including his rushing yards, Williams finished with 524 yards of total offense, also a school record.
North Carolina led 21-3 before Duke got its first touchdown, and only got stronger from there. The Heels only punted twice and had one three and out all day. Running back Elijah Hood finished with three rushing scores and Williams hit four different receivers – Howard, Mack Hollins, Ryan Switzer – for scores.
Game changer: On the Tar Heels first offensive play, Marquise Williams handed off to Elijah Hood, who tossed it back to Williams, who flicked the ball deep to Ryan Switzer for an 89-yard touchdown.
Stick with it: Throwing the ball deep. Carolina averaged 19.8 yards per pass play.
Get rid of it: Not a lot to dislike in this one for UNC. The only thing I would say is the uniform combination of the white helmet, blue tops and blue pants.
Numbers don’t lie:
66 – The most points scored by North Carolina in the series versus Duke. Also, the most they have scored in ACC play.
704 – North Carolina’s total offense against the Blue Devils.
1,237 – Total offense combined between the two teams.
Standouts:
Marquise Williams, UNC – Williams had his finest hour as a Tar Heel. There was the 494 yards passing (school record), the 524 yards of total offense (another record) and most importantly, no turnovers.
Mack Hollins, UNC – Hollins continues to reemerged as the big-play threat in the playbook. The junior finished with five catches for a career-high 165 yards and one score, covering 74 yards.
Jela Duncan, Duke – The Blue Devils running back was the leading rusher with 115 yards on 13 carries. He averaged 8.8 yards per carry.
What’s next? – North Carolina will host Miami, one of two coastal division games the Heels have remaining. The Hurricanes have won two in a row over North Carolina. Duke, now two games down in the division, host Pittsburg.
Quote of the day
“We got whipped … badly. In every aspect.” – David Cutcliffe, Duke football coach.
