UNC football dominates ACC Rival Virginia 41-14. Is it sustainable?

SPORTS

CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels have had a rough start to the year to say the least.

The team has lost four games in a row after starting out 3-0.

They have started three quarterbacks.

And tragically, the team lost its soul, Tylee Craft, to his fight with cancer the morning before their loss to Georgia Tech.

To say the least, it has been tumultuous on and off the field.

But the Heels finally have something to hang their hat on after beating rival Virginia at their home stadium in Charlottesville last Saturday. After failing to win the South’s oldest rivalry for the last year as the favorite and the number 10 ranked team in the country.

Carolina trounced the Cavaliers and forced two interceptions, most notably the 84-yard pick six by Jahvaree Ritzie. Ritzie tipped a pass at the line from UVA quarterback Anthony Colandrea and was able to corral it mid-air before returning it for the first touchdown of his career.

On the offensive side of the ball Omarion Hampton continued to be the Heels workhorse as he notched 105 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards.

The projected NFL draft pick has never been a problem for the Heels this season and should continue to give Carolina consistency.

Speaking of consistency, Jacolby Criswell has filled the quarterback role well this season. In the UVA game, he went 19 for 30 through the air with 293 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite posting a 1-4 record this season and this being his first win, he has been reliable for the team in baby blue. On the season, he has thrown 1,660 yards with 10 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He is in the top 50 in the country in QBR, and Carolina has averaged 33.8 points per game with Criswell at the reins. However, he is only completing 57% of his passes.

But that only puts the team at 4-4. With four games left, do they have a shot at bowl eligibility?

They go to an underwhelming 1-7 Florida State next at Doak S. Campbell Stadium and then play Wake Forest, Boston College, and NC State, who all sit at 4-4.

There is plenty of mediocrity in the ACC, per usual, which bodes well for Carolina’s chances of getting at least two wins over this stretch.

So, the Heels’ season prospects are more than certainly up in the air, but they indeed have a chance to get to a bowl game and post a winning record. The UVA game was an encouragement, and they have lost their other three conference games by 10 or less.

So here’s to waiting for Carolina to show us the kind of team they are.

Thomas Hicks is a journalist with video, PR, and writing experience who studied at UNC and the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Thomas is always looking for work and the next story! He loves working with his camera or with his pen. This reporter can be contacted at thomasjhicks55@gmail.com, LinkedIn: Thomas Hicks and X: ThomasJ_H