North Carolina Edges South Carolina In Charlotte
One Carolina team won while the other was on the other end of the spectrum.
It was North Carolina who got their season underway with a win in Charlotte.
True freshman quarterback Sam Howell threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns, Myles Wolfolk had two late fourth quarter interceptions and North Carolina battled back to beat South Carolina 24-20 on Saturday in Mack Brown's return to the sideline following a five-year hiatus. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
Howell capped second half drives of 98 and 95 yards with a 22-yard TD strike to Dyami Brown and a 17-yard scoring toss to Beau Corrales to give Brown his first win since 2013, when he coached at Texas. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
Brown was holding back tears as he was interviewed leaving the field.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
The Tar Heels' defense was strong in the second half, and Wolfolk sealed the win by intercepting Jake Bentley twice on South Carolina's final three possessions helping North Carolina register its first win over a power-conference opponent in a season opener since topping Indiana in 1997, Brown's final season in his first stint at the school.
The Tar Heels were remarkably conservative on offense in crucial situations in the first half, not wanting to put Howell in difficult situations. North Carolina ran 12 plays inside the South Carolina 25-yard line in the first half and 11 were runs. The only pass attempt resulted in a sack.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
But as the game progressed, the Tar Heels began to take the handcuffs off Howell and he responded with two big TD passes and no major mistakes. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
North Carolina did most of its damage on the ground though, rushing for 238 yards on 52 carries. Javonte Williams led the way with 102 yards on 18 carries. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
Clemson graduate transfer Tavien Feaster, who won two national championship rings with the Tigers and ran for 1,109 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons, ran for 72 yards and a touchdown for the Gamecocks. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
Bentley was limited to 142 yards passing.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/8/31/football-big-fourth-quarter-leads-heels-past-gamecocks.aspx
Meanwhile, South Carolina was on the other end of the spectrum in the season opener.
True freshman quarterback Sam Howell threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns, Myles Wolfork had two late fourth quarter interceptions and North Carolina battled back to beat South Carolina 24-20 on Saturday in Mack Brown's return to the sideline following a five-year hiatus. “according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
Howell capped second half drives of 98 and 95 yards with a 22-yard TD strike to Dyami Brown and a 17-yard scoring toss to Beau Corrales to give Brown his first win since 2013, when he coached at Texas.”according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
Brown was holding back tears as he was interviewed leaving the field after singing the school fight song with fans and raising his hands to them in victory.”according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
"I don't usually (do that) but I thought I should because they stayed, they were loud," Brown said. ... I wanted to tell them thank you." “according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
Later, Brown danced in the Tar Heels locker room.”according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
The Tar Heels' defense was strong in the second half, and Wolfork sealed the win by intercepting Jake Bentley twice on South Carolina's final three possessions helping North Carolina register its first win over a power-conference opponent in a season opener since topping Indiana in 1997, Brown's final season in his first stint at the school. “according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
The Tar Heels were remarkably conservative on offense in crucial situations in the first half, not wanting to put Howell in difficult situations. North Carolina ran 12 plays inside the South Carolina 25-yard line in the first half and 11 were runs. The only pass attempt resulted in a sack. “according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
But as the game progressed, the Tar Heels began to take the handcuffs off Howell and he responded with two big TD passes and no major mistakes.”according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
"We were very conservative with Sam Howell around the goal line early," Brown said. "And we felt like at halftime, he's a quarterback. We have to turn him loose. And he played a tremendous second half." “according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
North Carolina did most of its damage on the ground though, rushing for 238 yards on 52 carries. Javonte Williams led the way with 102 yards on 18 carries.”according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
"They are patient in their runs and we cut back and over-pursued," said South Carolina coach Will Muschamp. “according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
Clemson graduate transfer Tavien Feaster, who won two national championship rings with the Tigers and ran for 1,109 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons, ran for 72 yards and a touchdown for the Gamecocks. “according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
Bentley was limited to 142 yards passing.”according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
GAME CHANGER
North Carolina scored on drives of 98 and 95 yards in the fourth quarter to overcome a 20-9 deficit for a 24-20 victory. The Tar Heels scored on passes of 22 and 17 yards, part of Sam Howell's 245 passing yards.”according to https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/8/31/football-tar-heels-defeat-south-carolina-24-20.aspx
North Carolina will return to Chapel Hill to host Atlantic Coast Conference foe Miami on Saturday.