Hokies lose to Tar Heels 56-45

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Virginia Tech Hokies lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels by a score of 56-45.

The Tar Heels rushed for 399 total yards today. Running Back Michael Carter carried the ball 17 times for 214 yards while fellow running back Javonte Williams carried the ball 20 times for 169 yards. Both Carter and Williams ended the game with two rushing touchdowns.

The Hokies showed their moves on the ground as well, as the team rushed for 264 total yards.

Virginia Tech played without 15 players against the University of North Carolina, including starting safeties Divine Deablo and Keonta Jenkins.

Leading the team rushing for Virginia Tech was Running Back Khalil Herbert, who rushed for 18 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns, which includes a 52-yard touchdown run that took place in the third quarter.

Tar Heels Quarterback Sam Howell completed 18 of 23 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Two of Howell’s touchdowns were completed to Wide Receiver Dyami Brown. The first of Brown’s touchdowns today occurred in the first quarter as a result of a 37-yard completion in the end zone.

The second touchdown of Brown’s day took place late in the second quarter with a 43-yard completion in the end zone. Brown finished the game with 3 receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

The third touchdown for Howell came in the hands of Wide Receiver Dazz Newsome, which was a 12-yard completion that took place early in the fourth quarter. Newsome had rushed for a 6-yard score earlier in the second quarter. He finished the game with seven receptions for 69 yards and the two total touchdowns.

Virginia Tech Quarterback Hendon Hooker completed just 7 of 13 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. The first was a third-quarter 33-yard completion to Wide Receiver Tayvion Robinson. The second of Hooker’s touchdowns took place late in the fourth quarter with a 26-yard completion to Wide Receiver James Mitchell.

Mitchell led the game receiving with 4 receptions for 103 yards and the sole touchdown. Hooker also added a rushing touchdown to his total today. Hooker had shared the starting quarterback position for the Hokies today with Braxton Burmeister who first came into the game. Burmeister completed 7 of 15 passes for 79 yards.

There were 15 total score changes in this competitive conference matchup.

Virginia Tech will try to get back in the winning column as they host the Boston College Eagles next Sunday, with kickoff starting at 8:00 PM.