North Carolina Hopes To Snap Their Five -Game Losing Streak When They Host Undefeated Miami

So far this season hasn't been going in the right direction for Larry Feodora and North Carolina and their schedule just keep getting tougher  instead of easier as  they welcome undefeated Miami to Kenan Memorial Stadium Saturday.

 Carolina looks to snap a five-game losing streak when the Tar Heels host No. 8 Miami Saturday at noon at Kenan Stadium. The final ACC home contest of 2017, Saturday also marks Homecoming at UNC. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/27/football-carolina-hosts-no-8-miami-saturday.aspx

UNC fell to 1-7 on the year with a 59-7 loss at No. 14 Virginia Tech last weekend in Blacksburg. Chazz Surratt hit Anthony Ratliff-Williams for a 43-yard touchdown strike in the fourth quarter for the lone Carolina points on a tough afternoon for the Tar Heels. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/27/football-carolina-hosts-no-8-miami-saturday.aspx

Miami picked up its sixth straight win to open the season with a 27-19 victory over Syracuse last Saturday in south Florida. Malik Rosier threw for 344 yards and two scores and Travis Homer iced the game late with a 33-yard touchdown run. UM's 11-game winning streak dating back to last season is the program's longest in 15 years. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/27/football-carolina-hosts-no-8-miami-saturday.aspx

Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN2. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/27/football-carolina-hosts-no-8-miami-saturday.aspx

AT A GLANCE
Records: North Carolina 1-7 (0-5 ACC), Miami 6-0 (4-0)
Rankings: Miami is ranked No. 8 in both major polls.
TV: ESPN2. Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline) have the call.
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network (click to listen), a division of Learfield Communications. Jones Angell (play-by-play), Brian Simmons (analyst) and Lee Pace (sideline) have the call.
On The Web: GoHeels.com | UNC Notes | UM Notes
Twitter: @TarHeelFootball, @CoachFedora | @CanesFootball "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/27/football-carolina-hosts-no-8-miami-saturday.aspx

CAROLINA-MIAMI SERIES NOTES
• Carolina and Miami are meeting for the 21st time overall and the 14th consecutive season. The Tar Heels lead the series, 11-9.
• Last year in Miami Gardens, Mitch Trubisky threw two touchdown passes and Malik Carney forced a turnover with 1:31 left to seal a 20-13 win over the No. 16 Hurricanes. Ryan Switzer and Austin Proehl had TD grabs and Bug Howard finished with 10 catches for 156 yards for the Tar Heels, who converted 14 of 23 third down chances on a rainy afternoon.
• In the last meeting in Chapel Hill, Marquise Williams accounted for four touchdowns and Switzer had a 78-yard punt return for a score, leading No. 17 North Carolina's dominating performance in a 59-21 win over the Hurricanes.
• Five of UNC's six most recent wins in the series were decided by 10 points or less - a 33-27 victory in 2007, a 28-24 win in 2008, a 33-24 win in 2009, an 18-14 win in 2012 and last year's 20-13 decision.
• Carolina's first game against Miami as ACC members came in 2004 and was a memorable win for the Tar Heels. Connor Barth connected on a 42-yard field goal as time expired to beat the fourth-ranked Hurricanes, 31-28. It is still the highest-ranked team Carolina has ever beaten and is the Tar Heels' only win over a team ranked in the Associated Press top five.
• The first meeting between the two institutions came in 1946, when Carl Snavely's Tar Heels knocked off Miami, 21-0, in the second game of the year. Carolina would go on to finish 8-2-1 and play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 7.0px; font: 8.5px Calibri} "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/27/football-carolina-hosts-no-8-miami-saturday.aspx

As for North Carolina's last game, they were routed by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

Josh Jackson threw three touchdown passes and No. 14 Virginia Tech scored on fumble, interception and punt returns to rout North Carolina 59-7 on Saturday. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/21/football-carolina-falls-on-the-road-to-virginia-tech.aspx?path=football

Jackson passed for 132 yards and the Hokies (6-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) dominated in sending the Tar Heels (1-7, 0-5) to their fifth straight loss. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/21/football-carolina-falls-on-the-road-to-virginia-tech.aspx?path=football

Off last week, Virginia Tech looked rested and focused and played that way, scoring in all three phases in the first half and bolting to a 35-0 halftime lead. Virginia Tech scored twice on defense, getting the first score of the game on defensive tackle Ricky Walker's 12-yard fumble return. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/21/football-carolina-falls-on-the-road-to-virginia-tech.aspx?path=football

The Hokies added Greg Stroman's 91-yard punt return for a touchdown -- his second punt return for a score this season -- and defensive back Reggie Floyd's 69-yard interception return for a score. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/21/football-carolina-falls-on-the-road-to-virginia-tech.aspx?path=football

North Carolina only got into Virginia Tech territory three times, turned the ball over three times, and finished with just 172 yards. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/21/football-carolina-falls-on-the-road-to-virginia-tech.aspx?path=football

THE TAKEAWAY
North Carolina: The Tar Heels gave up 59 points, but their issues are on offense. They played three quarterbacks -- Chazz Surratt, Brandon Harris and Nathan Elliott -- and none were effective. Their three turnovers led to 21 Virginia Tech points. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/21/football-carolina-falls-on-the-road-to-virginia-tech.aspx?path=football

Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech's defense might have played its best game of the season, as it thoroughly controlled the game until the fourth quarter when coordinator Bud Foster started substituting. Aside from 43-yard touchdown pass from Surratt to Anthony Ratliff, the Hokies didn't give up any big plays and registered a season-high six sacks. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/10/21/football-carolina-falls-on-the-road-to-virginia-tech.aspx?path=football

As for Miami's last game, they held on to beat Syracuse.

The Miami Hurricanes remain undefeated after a hard-fought battle with Syracuse, 27-19. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
The No. 8/7 Canes (6-0, 4-0 ACC) knew they were in for a tough game on Saturday, as Syracuse (4-4-, 2-2 ACC) came into Hard Rock Stadium fresh off an upset over then-No. 2 Clemson a week ago. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"We found another way to make it really exciting," Miami head coach Mark Richt said. "Part of the reason was Syracuse is a really good football team. We've seen what they can do, especially last week with Clemson, but everybody that's played them this year has been just talking about them and how much harder they're playing now and with a purpose now. Not that they didn't last year, but they're a better team from what people say, from a year ago. It's a tribute to what Coach [Dino] Babers is doing over there." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
56,158 fans witnessed Miami maintain its unblemished record and improve its current winning streak to 11 games dating back to October 2016. The Hurricanes have won 11 consecutive games for the first time since 2002. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
With an electric offense loaded with playmakers, Miami's defense would have to step up to the challenge if the Hurricanes were to be victorious and that is exactly what Manny Diaz's defense did in the opening half."according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey entered Saturday's game ranked fifth in the country in pass completions. Dungey had connected on 188 of his 293 pass attempts with just four interceptions thrown this season. But that was before he faced the Hurricanes' defense. Miami doubled the junior's total in the first half, picking Dungey off four times. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Saturday marked the first time Miami has recorded four interceptions in a game since a matchup with Savannah State in 2013. Miami's four forced turnovers were the most since forcing four at Virginia in last year's trip to Charlottesville. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Dungey was intercepted early in the first quarter when defensive tackle RJ McIntosh tipped a Dungey pass and defensive end Demetrius Jackson snagged it out of midair. Dungey stripped Jackson to get the ball back for the Orange, but his next two picks resulted in points for Miami."according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
The Hurricanes intercepted Dungey for the second time in the game when Michael Jackson picked a wobbly pass to the left sideline with 2:04 left in the first quarter. Jackson, who also had a pick at Florida State, donned Miami's turnover chain for the second time this season. The junior corner picked off Dungey again with 1:27 left until halftime, becoming the first Hurricane with multiple interceptions in a game since Artie Burns had two against Virginia Tech in 2015. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"It brought a lot of excitement," Jackson said of the turnover chain. "We've seen pictures of people in like South Carolina and other places, and even players in high school games wearing chains, so I feel like we started something."
 
The momentum stayed on Miami's side, as the Canes drove down the field to find the end zone for the first time Saturday. Malik Rosier hit Christopher Herndon IV for a 35-yard gain to put the Hurricanes at the Syracuse 21-yard line. The pair connected three plays later for a 10-yard touchdown that put Miami up, 10-0, with 14:22 left in the first half. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"A lot of our stuff is just based on what the defense gives us and he does a great job running his routes," Rosier said. "He gets to his depth, he runs with speed and he's physical. He fights for yards after the catch. Chris is one of those guys that, when it comes down to it, if I throw it to him, I know he's going to be in the right spot." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Herndon was outstanding for Miami, setting a new career-high with 96 receiving yards on a career-best 10 receptions. The senior totaled 91 receiving yards in the first half, besting his previous high for a game (66) set vs. Georgia Tech in 2015. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"They like to get me going early," Herndon said. "I think the coaches know that once they get me going, it's hard to stop me. So I guess they saw that early and kept feeding me the ball and it was working." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Jaquan Johnson dove and caught a deep ball thrown by Dungey with 13:31 remaining in the half to give Miami the ball on its own 38. Rosier completed three straight passes, including a 21-yard gain that ended with Ahmmon Richards hurdling over defensive back Rodney Williams, to reach the Syracuse 29. Michael Badgley, who opened the scoring with an 18-yard field goal with 7:25 to go in the first quarter, converted a 39-yard attempt that put the Canes ahead, 13-0, with 10:41 remaining in the opening half. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"I wasn't really thinking about it," Richards said. "When I saw him, he was just sitting flat-footed, so I knew he was going to take a shot at me. I was already running full speed, so I just hurdled him." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
The Orange got on the scoreboard with a 22-yard field goal by Cole Murphy with 6:19 remaining in the opening half. Syracuse converted a third-and-25 when Dungey hit Ervin Philips for a 27-yard gain to the Miami 39 and extend the drive. A 20-yard run by Dontae Strickland put Syracuse inside the red zone at the Miami 16, and seven plays later Murphy's kick parted the uprights. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
The Hurricanes became the first ACC team this year to hold Syracuse without a first-half touchdown, but the Orange offense would pick up the pace in the second half and finish the game with 93 plays run on offense."according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"It was challenging," linebacker Michael Pinckney said of stopping Syracuse. "They were a tempo offense. We tried to simulate it in practice, but it's pretty hard to do. We've just got good backups; your team is based off your backups. So, I felt like we did what we had to do tonight." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Murphy hit his second field goal, a 40-yard attempt with 8:55 left in the third quarter to open the scoring in the second half, but Miami answered in a big way. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
After forcing a punt on Syracuse's next drive, Rosier hit freshman Jeff Thomas for a 48-yard touchdown that put Miami ahead, 20-6, with 2:51 left in the third quarter. The speedy Thomas has been a big play threat in consecutive weeks for Miami, recording a career-best 70-yard reception a week ago against Georgia Tech and scoring his first touchdown as a Hurricanes Saturday. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Rosier had an impressive performance, finishing 26-for-43 for 344 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. He has thrown at least one touchdown in every start of his career and multiple touchdowns in six of seven career starts."according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
The Orange offense countered with back-to-back scoring drives for 10 points. The first was a six-play, 65-yard drive that took just 1:43 before running back Moe Neal dashed into the end zone from 15 yards out to make it 20-13, Miami. On their next possession, Murphy hit his third field goal of the game, a 45-yarder, to bring Syracuse within four, 20-16. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
The Canes called timeout with 7:22 remaining in the game, looking at a fourth-and-3 from the Syracuse 31. With the field wet from rain earlier in the day, Richt elected to go for it but the Hurricanes could not convert. Rosier fired a pass low to Darrell Langham, but the hero of the last two weeks could not corral the ball and Syracuse took over on its own 31. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"You saw [Badgley] slip at least twice on kickoffs," Richt said. "I told him that, too. I said, 'Look, I've got all the faith in you to make that kick from that distance, but we're just slipping too much.' I couldn't afford for him to slip, bang it into the line of scrimmage, they scoop and score and they're having a party now. I couldn't do that. And then the other thing, we had a 3rd and six, seven, eight or nine, whatever it was, we ran the ball and everyone booed. I don't blame them. We didn't get any yards. My plan was to go for on it on fourth down at that time too, and hopefully just run the ball get three or four or five yards and make it 4th and manageable, but it become 4th and 8 or 9.  I'm like, 'Forget it, we'll punt.' We got them down on the 2 [-yard line], which was good. Sometimes moving the field position isn't real exciting but when you have an effective offense like they have, if you make them drive 90 or 95 yards, it's tough." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Syracuse wasted little time getting into Miami territory, as Dungey scrambled for 33 yards on first down to the Hurricanes' 37. But Miami's defense stifled the threat, thanks in part to a six-yard tackle for loss by Pinckney, holding the Orange to a 53-yard field goal by Murphy that kept the Hurricanes ahead by a point, 20-19. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"We've got to be consistent all four quarters," Pinckney said. "On my end, I probably didn't do everything I could've done, tried as hard as I could. Just as a whole, [for the whole] four quarters, we have to be consistent more. It was going back and forth. The offense was really good and the defense was slacking a little bit. Then, vice versa. I just feel like, as a team, if we can do it, we could be unstoppable." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Langham rose to the occasion on the next drive, snagging a 19-yard pass from Rosier on second and 10 from Miami's 28 to give the Canes a spark. Six plays later, Travis Homer scampered 33 yards for a touchdown that gave the Hurricanes an eight-point lead, 27-19, with 2:48 to go. The sophomore finished the game with 95 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"I couldn't do anything without my line," Homer said. "All props go to them. They gave me a nice hole and all I did was run fast." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
Dungey, who finished the game 13-for-41 for 137 passing yards and four interceptions, was sacked four times. Pinckney led the Canes with nine tackles and 2.5 sacks, helping Miami tally 9.0 tackles for loss against the Orange. Defensive lineman RJ McIntosh had a career-high five pass breakups. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
The Orange's second half offensive outburst was done largely on the ground. After Miami held Syracuse to 75 rushing yards over the first 30 minutes of play, the Orange exploded for 189 yards rushing and had both Dungey (100) and Strickland (105) finish with 100-yard rushing performances. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football
 
"Thrilled about the victory," Richt said. "Just inconsistent effort offensively. Defensively, there were some really bright spots and some not-so-bright spots. Their quarterback is as tough as they come. He's a great runner, he's a great leader. He's as tough as he can be. We had a tough time getting him on the ground at times. He extended plays and kept drives going for them, with his wheels and with his arm. He's one of the better quarterbacks we've played in a while." "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/news/2017/10/21/football-no-8-7-hurricanes-outlast-syracuse-27-19.aspx?path=football

Kick-off is set for 12:00pm. The game will be televised on ESPN2. "according to http://www.hurricanesports.com/schedule.aspx?path=football