Georgia Tech snapped North Carolina’s series winning streak at three with a dominating 33-7 win over the Tar Heels at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Carolina didn’t offer much resistance as the Yellow Jackets physically imposed their will on the Heels’ defense for 55 minutes. Quarterback TaQuon Marshall and A-back KirVonte Benson rushed for 267 of the team’s 403 yards on the ground. The pair each had runs of 60 yards or more against the Heels’ defense.
Benson’s run in the third quarter capitalized on an interception by A.J. Gray and gave the Jackets a three-score lead. “Everybody did their job that play,” said Benson. “It was a play we practiced the whole week. We were going to hit and it just run through, that’s the only way you can do it.”
Gray’s interception was the first of two on the day. “He stepped underneath the slants and got a couple picks,” said Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson.
Defense played a big part in the success of the Tech offense. While the offense was plagued with inconsistency in the first half, the defense limited the Tar Heels offense to 9 plays in the first quarter.
The Heels had their longest drives of the first half in the second quarter. Chazz Surratt’s pass to running back Jordan Brown netted 27 yards and the Heels’ first trip across midfield. The drive stalled at the 23-yard line on an incomplete pass to Devin Perry. Freeman Jones’ attempt from 40 yards out missed wide left. Carolina’s second drive of the quarter ended the same way -with a field goal wide left of the uprights.
Benson’s touchdown sparked a 23-point half. Ricky Jeune matched Benson with a diving catch in the end zone.
Carolina found the end zone after a Brenton King field goal gave the Jackets a 27-point lead. Surratt’s pass to Jordan Cunningham set up Brown’s touchdown run from 8 yards out.
Matthew Jordan played the last series at quarterback for the Jackets but the result was the same. The offense moved steadily up the field with six consecutive running plays. Jordan capped the day’s scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run.
Tech moves to 2-0 in the ACC (3-1 overall) and will have next week off before facing the U on the road.
Thumpers
Georgia Tech
DB Lance Austin 7 tackles
UNC
LB Cayson Collins 12 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss
LB Cole Holcomb 12 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
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All photos by Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports