Field Level Media
Nov 14, 2020
Sam Howell ran 20 yards on a third-down quarterback draw for a go-ahead touchdown with 4:11 remaining and North Carolina went on to string together 35 consecutive points in a 59-53 comeback victory against visiting Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Howell threw six touchdown passes.
North Carolina (6-2, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) wiped out a 21-point second-half deficit to avenge a loss from a year ago. The Tar Heels racked up a school-record 742 yards of total offense. It was the largest deficit overcome for a victory in a home game in North Carolina history.
After Howell's TD run, Javonte Williams scored on a 15-yard run. That capped a stretch of five touchdowns in six possessions for the Tar Heels. Wake Forest closed the gap on Jaquarii Roberson's 5-yard catch from Sam Hartman followed by a two-point conversion pass with 57 seconds left before the Tar Heels recovered the ensuing onside kick.
Howell completed 32 of 45 passes for a school-record 550 yards with an interception. Dazz Newsome (10 catches, 189 yards) and Dyami Brown (eight catches, 163 yards) both caught two touchdown passes. Williams logged 101 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Wake Forest (4-3, 3-3) had a four-game winning streak snapped. Earlier, the Demon Deacons faced a 24-21 hole and then scored the next 24 points.
Hartman was 29-for-45 for 429 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Receivers Donavon Greene (eight catches for 170 yards) and Roberson (12-for-167) both made two touchdown catches. Running back Christian Beal-Smith posted 120 rushing yards on 17 carries.
Newsome caught two of Howell's touchdown passes in the first half.
Wake Forest led 35-24 at halftime with the teams combining for more than 700 yards of total offense.
After holding a 45-24 lead, the Demon Deacons had five consecutive possessions when they managed just two first downs.
North Carolina faced large deficits in eventual three-point losses at Florida State and at Virginia. This time, the Tar Heels completed the comeback.
--Field Level Media