North Carolina Tar Heels vs Virginia Cavaliers Match Player Stats On Oct 22, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Oct 22, 2016

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- No. 22 North Carolina extended their winning streak to seven over longtime rival Virginia with a 35-14 victory Saturday at Scott Stadium.

The Tar Heels won their second straight game to remain in the hunt in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division. In a rivalry that dates to 1892, they now own the series' second-longest winning streak.

After leading by just seven coming out of halftime, North Carolina (6-2, 4-1 ACC) turned the ball over on its first possession of the second half, but recovered and got their offense rolling to claim the 21-point win.

Virginia (2-5, 1-2) was held to under 300 yards of total offense by a defense that was already missing some key parts in its linebacking corps.

The Tar Heels racked up just shy of 500 yards of total offense as quarterback Mitch Trubisky paced attack with 310 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Running back Elijah Hood ran for 107 yards and a touchdown while North Carolina's wide receivers continued their production even without Mack Hollins, who was lost for the season last week.

Ryan Switzer and Bug Howard combined for 15 receptions for 181 yards for the Tar Heels. Howard also caught a touchdown pass, giving him a team-high four on the season.

Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert managed just 126 yards through the air.The Cavaliers were led by running back Taquan Mizzell, who ran for 106 yards, and caught seven passes for 25 yards.

Virginia averaged just three yards per play while North Carolina racked up 7.3 yards per play en route to a 488-yard day on offense.

After both teams struggled on offense out of the gate, North Carolina got on the board first late in the first quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run by Hood.

Virginia used trickeration to tie the game. Backup quarterback Matt Johns found tight end Evan Butts on an 11-yard touchdown out of a field goal formation.

North Carolina responded with a trick play of its own as Trubisky found Howard on a 40-yard touchdown pass after a double reverse.

North Carolina led 14-7 at the halftime break.

Virginia looks to slow down Louisville next week when they host the Cardinals while North Carolina has a bye week.

NOTES: Saturday marked the 121st meeting between North Carolina and Virginia. ... Virginia running back Taquan Mizzell has a reception in 40 straight games, which ties him for the fourth-longest streak in the nation. ... North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora is 6-0 against the Cavaliers. ... The Tar Heels have an eight-game road winning streak.