By: Matt Bowers
CHESTNUT HILL, MASS.— Boston College’s defense dominated North Carolina as the Eagles beat the Tar Heels, 41-21, on a chilly, overcast Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
BC out-gained Carolina in total offense, 420-212, including 228 to 36 on the ground. The Tar Heels posted just 13 first downs and were 3 of 13 on third-down attempts. The Eagles controlled the ball for 38:02 to UNC’s 21:58 time of possession.
BC (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) won to become eligible, snapping the Tar Heels’ three-game winning streak as UNC fell to 6-5, 3-4.
The Eagles outscored the Tar Heels, 21-7, in the second quarter and limited Carolina to five first downs and negative three yards rushing in the first half. BC dominated time of possession in the opening half, 20:33 to 9:27, and UNC’s lone score came on a 95-yard kickoff return by Chris Culliver.
Carolina quarterback Jacolby Criswell completed 16 of 30 passing attempts for 176 yards with three interceptions and was sacked seven times in the game. Omarion Hampton ran the ball 11 times for 53 yards.
How It Happened
First Quarter
• BC put together a lengthy drive to open the game, taking a 3-0 lead on a 49-yard field goal by Liam Connor that capped a 13-play, 39-yard drive in 8:45.
Second Quarter
• The Eagles made it 10-0 early in the second quarter when Eagle quarterback Grayson James ran it in from three yards out to complete another 13-play drive.
• On Carolina’s next drive, the Tar Heels turned the ball over on downs, failing to convert a fourth-and-two play from the BC 41-yard line with 10:18 left before halftime.
• John Montague ran for a 24-yard score that gave BC a 17-0 lead with 9:05 on the clock.
• On the ensuing kickoff, Culliver returned the kick 95 yards for a score to make the score 17-7. It was UNC’s first kickoff return for a score since 2022.
• With 1:04 remaining in the first half, the Eagles intercepted Criswell and returned the ball to the UNC 32. Three plays later, James connected with Reed Harris for an 18-yard scoring pass and a 24-7 Eagle lead with 40 seconds left.
Third Quarter
• BC added a 27-yard field goal by Connor on its first drive of the second half, making the score 27-7.
Fourth Quarter
• Carolina took possession near midfield in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter on a fumble recovery by Kevin Hester Jr.
• BC’s Ryan Turner intercepted at the BC 22 and ran it back 78 yards for a 34-7 lead to put the game out of reach with 12:38 remaining.
Up Next
Carolina will play its final game of the regular season when it hosts NC State next Saturday, November 30, at 3:30 p.m. in Kenan Stadium.
