UNC Football

South Carolina capped off its 2021 season with a 38-21 victory over North Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Thursday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To the delight of fans everywhere, the result earned head coach Shane Beamer a mayonnaise bath.

MAYO BATH pic.twitter.com/GQh03Beue1

— Duke's Mayo Bowl (@DukesMayoBowl) December 30, 2021

Beamer led a five-win improvement for the Gamecocks in his first year on the sideline.

South Carolina jumped out to an 18-0 lead in the first quarter.  A 40-yard field goal by Grayson Atkins brought UNC to within one score, 18-10, with 5:44 left in the first half. That was as close as the Tar Heels came to bridging the gap.

The Gamecocks finished with 543 total yards, including 301 rushing yards.

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Notable Performers

Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: 12-of-20, 205 yards, one touchdown; 13 carries, three yards

Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina: four receptions, 73 yards

Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina: 31 carries, 182 yards, one touchdown

Dakereon Joyner, WR, South Carolina: 9-of-9, 160 yards, one touchdown; 10 carries, 64 yards

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South Carolina Grinds Down UNC Defense

A bowl game is a great time for a coach to empty the playbook, and that's exactly what Beamer did on South Carolina's first drive. Wide receiver Dakereon Joyner took the snap out of the shotgun and hit Jaheim Bell for a 69-yard touchdown pass.

JAHEIM BELL HOUSE CALL

“Pour some mayo on me, baby!” 😂 pic.twitter.com/Z2jfGrFRHi

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 30, 2021

that South Carolina WR might’ve just thrown the most impressive pass we see all day

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 30, 2021

Beamer quickly discovered he wouldn't need to rely much on trickery in order to move the ball against North Carolina. Especially in the second half as they were protecting a double-digit lead, the Gamecocks were content to pound the ball on the ground.

South Carolina only scored 30 or more against one FBS opponent this season (Florida). Just hit 35 and 500 yards of offense with a little less than 8 minutes remaining. Tough look for the Heels defense.

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 30, 2021

Kevin Harris was the bell cow out of the backfield and enjoyed one of his best games of the season.

Kevin Harris is running with some burst today. It's a shame we haven't seen him at 100 percent for much of this season. He was a monster last year. Looking good so far. 60 yards on 10 attempts.

— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) December 30, 2021

Kevin Harris, with 138 yards rushing so far, is really putting on a Mayo clinic.

— Eric Columbus (@EricColumbus) December 30, 2021

South Carolina's ability to control the tempo was evident with how long it had the ball in the second half. Here's the time of possession for the Gamecocks' four drives: 5:07, 6:11 6:20 and 5:02.

Early in the year, Beamer was blunt about the gap between his squad and an elite program such as Georgia. He explained how the Bulldogs "got like 100 5-star football players on their defense."

The 44-year-old knows that great coaching can only go so far toward closing a talent gap.

He has assembled the No. 20 class in 247Sports' composite team rankings, which would be aa significant improvement from finishing 79th in 2021. Beamer also convinced former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler to call Columbia, South Carolina, home.

The future is looking bright.

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Howell Doesn't Help Draft Stock

Sam Howell has yet to declare for the 2022 NFL draft, but nobody will be surprised if the North Carolina quarterback declines to return for next season.

By suiting up for the Tar Heels on Thursday, Howell may have been looking to bolster his draft stock with one last big performance. According to ESPN's Jordan Reid, representatives for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers were on hand for the game.

For me, Howell lacks the elite-level traits that give a QB a first-round grade, but that doesn't mean a team won't draft him Rd1. Similar to Desmond Ridder—doesn't have a Rd1 from me, but could get there with a good pre-draft process.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 30, 2021

Unfortunately for Howell, the Duke's Mayo Bowl probably wasn't the kind of showcase he envisioned.

North Carolina allowed an average of 3.8 sacks per game this year, 127th in FBS. The downtime between a 34-30 loss to North Carolina State and the Duke's Mayo Bowl didn't help head coach Mack Brown magically solve his offensive line issues.

As a result, Howell was under constant pressure.

I give Sam Howell a helluva lot of credit for playing today.

His OL was trash all year (gave up Power 5-high 45 sacks) and he’s been getting mashed throughout.

— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) December 30, 2021

On my “dudes who deserved better this year” team, Sam Howell is the QB.

— Connor O'Gara (@cjogara) December 30, 2021

North Carolina was ranked 10th in the Associated Press' preseason Top 25. Six games into the year, even Brown was conceding his squad was overrated based on where it entered 2021.

A comprehensive loss to South Carolina was the culmination of a campaign that fell well short of expectations in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Despite rumors that Mack Brown might be considering retirement following the 2021 season, the North Carolina head football coach said in no uncertain terms Wednesday that he plans to continue coaching.

"I haven't even thought about [retirement]," he told reporters.

"I was told by a friend of mine that a prominent agent has been telling people that I'm not going to be here next year in hopes that would affect recruiting because we're recruiting so well," he added

That 2022 recruiting class currently ranks No. 10 in the nation, per 247Sport.com's Composite Rankings, making the Tar Heels the top recruiting class in the ACC, one spot ahead of Clemson. 

Brown said he isn't surprised that retirement rumors might be used against him to hurt recruiting.

"I'm 70 years old," he said. "People are going to use it every year. They used it last year."

While the incoming recruiting class is good, the product on the field during Brown's watch has been more of a mixed bag. Since taking over in 2019, the Tar Heels have gone 20-15 and are just 5-5 this season despite starting the year ranked No. 14 in the AP preseason Top 25.

They reached a bowl game in each of Brown's first two seasons, winning the MIlitary Bowl in his first year before losing the Orange Bowl last season. 

And Brown is remaining optimistic. 

"I'm having fun. We're competing. We're getting better," he said. "We've got some great young players. We're going to have a tremendous recruiting class. And I can't wait until spring practice of next year to keep moving forward and get North Carolina football back where we want it to be."

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell could miss the team's final home game of the season Saturday with an upper-body injury.

Team spokesman Jeremy Sharpe told reporters Monday that Howell is considered day-to-day and would work with team doctors throughout the week. 

"He wants to play Saturday," head coach Mack Brown added. "If he can, he will."

While Howell is a junior, Brown said the Wofford game should be Howell's final home game given he expects him to declare for the NFL draft after the season. 

"I haven't thought Sam was coming back since last year," he said. "I have never had one thought about him coming back, and he's going to be a first-round draft choice. So I think he should leave."

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. did not have Howell listed as one of his top 25 players on his latest big board and had him ranked as the No. 5 quarterback prospect for the 2022 NFL draft behind Pitt's Kenny Pickett, Liberty's Malik Willis, Ole Miss' Matt Corral and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder. 

After throwing for 3,641 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a freshman and 3,586 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven picks as a sophomore, Howell has struggled more in his junior campaign, with 2,704 yards, 22 scores and eight interceptions. His 63.5 completion percentage is down from 68.1 percent last year, and the 38 sacks he's taken this season are the most of his career. 

His offensive line hasn't exactly helped him in that regard, leaving Howell pretty beat up at this point. To his credit, he's yet to miss a game in his college career. Howell also lost a ton of talented players at the skill positions (Javonte Williams and Michael Carter at running back, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome at wideout) to the NFL draft between seasons.

It's hard to imagine Howell returning as a senior given the potential he could be a first-round pick. If he's unable to play against Wofford, then, it's very possible he won't play in front of the Tar Heels fans again. 

A battle between Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell is getting a lot of attention among NFL personnel.

The two quarterback prospects will face off Thursday night as Pittsburgh hosts North Carolina, but the stands will be filled with scouts and executives:

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett & UNC QB Sam Howell will draw plenty of in-person eyes tonight. Some 30+ scouts are credentialed for game, including at least five GMs: Kevin Colbert (Steelers), Mike Mayock, George Paton (Broncos), Howie Roseman (Eagles) and Rick Spielman (Vikings). #ESPN

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) November 11, 2021

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. listed Pickett as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class on his latest big board, while Howell was rated fifth-best at the position.

Pickett has put himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation this season with 3,171 passing yards and 29 touchdowns with only three interceptions in nine games for Pittsburgh. He's led the Panthers to a 7-2 record, including a 4-1 mark in the conference to sit first in the ACC Coastal division.

North Carolina (5-4, 3-3) has a chance to cut into that lead with a win Thursday, but it will need a strong performance from Howell.

The junior has 2,408 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season, but he already has seven interceptions and his efficiency is down from 2020. His completion percentage has dropped from 68.1 to 63.1 and his passer rating fell from 179.1 to 157.9.

It's created doubt over a player who some projected as the No. 1 draft pick heading into the season.

There is still time for the passer to turn things around, and he will have a huge stage to do it on Thursday.

Among the teams in attendance, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos are likely seeking long-term answers at quarterback while the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings could look for younger upgrades over Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins, respectively.

The Philadelphia Eagles might still have doubts about Jalen Hurts as they look to the draft for another franchise quarterback.   

Zach Rice, a 5-star offensive tackle from the Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia, committed to North Carolina on Thursday.

#BREAKING: The No. 1 OT in the country Zach Rice has committed to coach Mack Brown and @UNCFootball 🔥🐏

“I will be a program changer.” @od_zach 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cRQ1mwUCNO

— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 22, 2021

Rice chose North Carolina over Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Virginia.

The 6'6", 282-pound Rice is considered the No. 9 prospect in the country, the top offensive tackle and the top player from the state of Virginia, per 247Sports.

Brian Dohn of the recruiting website offered the following scouting report on Rice:

"Agile and high-level athlete. Moves well in space. Plays with attitude and nastiness. Strong at point of attack and uses his lower body strength well. Initial punch is forceful and plays with heavy hands. Once engaged remains locked on and drives legs. Finishes blocks well. ... Is patient in pass pro and does not lunge often. Consistency with hand placement needed. Has to continue to work on bend to be more consistent with sinking hips and winning leverage battle. Has to refine kick step. Multi-year starter at top 10 program. NFL first-round potential."

Rice has obvious physical tools, but it's his intangibles that he takes the most pride in as a player.

"My humility and my mindset," he said when talking about what distinguishes him from other offensive line prospects around the country, per Ahmed Ghafir of SI.com. "I come out and compete. Everyone gets beat, but I'm always the one that bounces back in games and camps."

Say what you want about Mack Brown, but the man can recruit. Rice will join 5-star defensive lineman Travis Shaw in what has become one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. Everybody may be looking up to Clemson in the ACC, but Brown and the Tar Heels have landed some potential future stars.

North Carolina head coach Mack Brown called his team "overrated" after the 10th-ranked Tar Heels suffered a 17-10 road loss to ACC rival Virginia Tech on Friday night.

UNC entered the season as a potential College Football Playoff contender, and quarterback Sam Howell, who threw three interceptions in the loss, was viewed as a Heisman Trophy candidate, but both those candidacies took an immediate hit courtesy of the Hokies.

"Obviously the shine's off," Brown told reporters. "The ratings mean nothing at this point. We were overrated tonight."

The North Carolina offense looked out of sorts for most of the night. Its four first-half drives ended with three punts and the halftime whistle, and things didn't improve coming out of the break with another punt and the first of Howell's interceptions.

Virginia Tech couldn't get much going either, which kept UNC within striking distance for the entire game. The Tar Heels got the ball back on their own 13-yard line with 3:10 left in the fourth quarter and a chance to tie with a touchdown, but Howell tossed his third pick inside the final minute to seal it.

Brown didn't lay the blame for the struggles on his star quarterback's shoulders, though.

"When you don't run the ball well and you have six sacks and you have to run for your life—we have to do a better job of protecting him," Brown said. "You can't expect a guy to have a great game when he's got people around him the whole game. You've got to protect your quarterback."

Howell completed 17 of his 32 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown in addition to the three key turnovers. He also rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries.

"We can't let this game define us," Howell said. "We know what this team is capable of, even if we didn't show it tonight. I think we just got beat [tonight]. I don't think the pressure really bothered anybody in the program, and we had a good week of practice, and we just weren't the better team."

North Carolina went 2-of-10 on third down, lost the turnover battle (3-2) and racked up more penalties (5-2) as it let a winnable game slip away.

That said, the Virginia Tech defense deserves a lot of credit for its relentless work up front, as it was consistently in the UNC backfield to slow the running game and keep Howell under pressure.

Hokies head coach Justin Fuente called it "as impressive a performance" as he's seen from his defense.

The Tar Heels will attempt to bounce back next Saturday when they host Georgia State in their home opener.

Virginia Tech delivered the first major upset of the 2021 college football season, knocking off No. 10 North Carolina 17-10 on Friday in an ACC Coastal battle at Lane Stadium. 

Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell entered the night as a Heisman Trophy favorite and delivered a dud in his season opener. The junior completed 17 of 32 passes for 208 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, the last of which turned the ball over to VT with 37 seconds left in regulation. 

Start off the season with a top-10 win ☑️ pic.twitter.com/jmTrnMiSWp

— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 4, 2021

The INT that sealed the W over No. 10 North Carolina 💥 @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/mCGjGl9aBK

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 4, 2021

Hokies QB Braxton Burmeister went 12-of-19 for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Virginia Tech's first home win against an AP Top 10 team since 2009. He added 53 yards on nine carries with another score.      

THEY'RE STORMING THE FIELD IN BLACKSBURG 🚨 @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/a5oQp9Wdkl

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 4, 2021

While UNC did outgain VT in total yards, 354-307, the Tar Heels couldn't find a way to consistently get the ball in the red zone. Howell was also sacked six times for a loss of 35 yards. 

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech committed to running the ball and keeping the clock moving. The Hokies rushed 43 times for 138 yards, while UNC rushed just 30 times. 

With all of the hype and promise surrounding Howell, it's not surprising he had the ball in his hands, but he didn't make the best decisions when he dropped back to pass. 

JERMAINE WALLER TOOK THAT 😤 @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/CsHjtRD329

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 4, 2021

MARIO 🗣

What a sack on third down

📺 @espn » https://t.co/Dje73cU1PX

2Q - 11:14 (🦃 7, 🐏 0) pic.twitter.com/p5wdg0pSk2

— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 3, 2021

Even before kickoff, it was clear the Tar Heels wouldn't have an easy time playing in Blacksburg, with a full-capacity stadium once again rocking to Metallica's "Enter Sandman":

VIRGINIA TECH.
ENTER SANDMAN.

ABSOLUTE CHILLS. @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/jRnd97Xs1R

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 3, 2021

That energy seemed to translate to the field, as VT scored five minutes into the first quarter to take a lead it wouldn't relinquish. 

Many predicted UNC would claim the ACC Coastal Division in 2021, but the Tar Heels are now 0-1. They have a chance to get in the win column with upcoming games against Georgia State, Virginia and Georgia Tech, but there's no question this defeat was a disappointing setback for head coach Mack Brown's program.  

  

Defensive tackle prospect Travis Shaw has committed to North Carolina to give the team one of the top players in the entire 2022 class.

The Grimsley High School product native announced his decision Saturday from the school's football field. 

BREAKING: #UNC has landed the big one. Five-star DT Travis Shaw is a Tar Heel. Story: https://t.co/ZOu8lbfPpH pic.twitter.com/57rJyeSx1w

— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) August 21, 2021

The 5-star recruit is considered the No. 4 overall player in the country by 247Sports' composite rankings and the top player from his state of North Carolina.

At 6'5", 310 pounds, Shaw is an imposing presence on the defensive line who can dominate at the high school level and contribute early in college while providing valuable strength up front.

Of course, there is more to the player than just his measurements.

"He's very skilled for that size," high school coach Darryl Brown said of Shaw, per Stephen Means of Cleveland.com. "He's a really good athlete, moves well, has great footwork. When I said he's skilled, he can do a lot of different things on a football field or a basketball court. He can throw a football 65 yards. He used to be the middle school quarterback. ... He's just a really skilled, gifted athlete in a lot of ways."

The size and skill set have turned him into an elite pass-rusher from the interior who can also make a lot of plays against the run.

It's the reason he got offers from dozens of programs across the country, including Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State, although he settled on finalists Clemson, North Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina A&T.

Shaw decided on the Tar Heels, giving the team added depth and skill on the defensive line that usually goes a long way to helping compete with quality opponents.

North Carolina isn't as well-known for developing pros as some other top programs, but the team had five draft picks in 2021 and this trend should continue after reaching the Orange Bowl last year.

There could be a similar future for Shaw, who should see early playing time with his talent and physical maturity.

Head coach Mack Brown has done a fantastic job of bringing marquee talent to Chapel Hill since being hired in November 2018. The Tar Heels ranked 14th in 247Sports composite rankings list of recruiting classes for the 2021 season.

Adding Shaw to the 2022 class certainly helps North Carolina start to close the wide gap on Clemson in the ACC hierarchy.

After hanging on to win last week against Boston College, the eighth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels earned their biggest victory of the season with a 56-45 triumph over No. 19 Virginia Tech. 

The Hokies were without 15 players, including freshman safety Keonta Jenkins. This was their first major test of the season, playing a Top 10 opponent on the road.

The Tar Heels came out of the gate Saturday at Kenan Memorial Stadium looking much more comfortable on both sides of the ball than they did against Boston College. They were up 21-0 after their first three drives, in which the offense racked up 224 total yards. 

By the time the game was over, North Carolina finished with 656 total yards and its highest point total against an FBS opponent since dropping 66 on Duke in November 2015. 

             

Notable Game Stats

• Sam Howell, QB (UNC): 18-of-23, 257 yards, 3 TDs
• Michael Carter, RB (UNC): 17 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs
• Javonte Williams, RB (UNC): 20 carries, 169 yards, 2 TDs
• Dyami Brown, WR (UNC): 3 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TDs
• Hendon Hooker, QB (VA TECH): 7-of-13, 136 yards, 2 TDs; 8 carries, 29 yards, 1 TD
• Braxton Burmeister, QB (VA TECH): 7-of-15, 79 yards; 11 carries, 51 yards
• Khalil Herbert, RB (VA TECH): 18 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs
• James Mitchell, WR (VA TECH): 4 receptions, 103 yards, TD

                    

Explosive Offense Makes Tar Heels Playoff Sleeper

If this version of North Carolina's offense is going to show up each week, this team is set up to run the table in ACC play and compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. 

The dynamic between Howell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo took a few games to settle in, but Saturday was a statement by both men. 

Sam Howell on throws 20+ yards downfield

First two games: 0/8

Today: 2/2, 80 yards, 2 TDs pic.twitter.com/IspopswKau

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 10, 2020

It didn't hurt that Michael Carter and Javonte Williams both had more than 100 yards rushing midway through the third quarter. 

Michael Carter cutting and slicing in on 16-yard TD run. Tar Heels' lead grows to 41-17 here midway through the third quarter.

Carter and Javonte Williams both over 100 yards. Carter (118 yards) averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Williams (101 yards) a robust 11.2 yards per carry.

— Adam Smith (@adam_smith_IC) October 10, 2020

Michael Carter and Javonte Williams have rushed for 118 and 101 yards, respectively, midway through the third quarter. They're the first pair of @TarHeelFootball players to gain 100 yards rushing in a game since Elijah Hood (220) and T.J. Logan (100) at NC State on Nov 28, 2015.

— Pat James (@patjames24) October 10, 2020

I can’t stress this enough... Michael Carter and Javonte Williams are really, really good.

— Taylor Vippolis (@tvippolis) October 10, 2020

Still, North Carolina has exploitable flaws, as Virginia Tech showed.

Both teams seemed to be competing to see whose run defense was worse. The Hokies won the battle for futility by allowing 399 yards on the ground, but North Carolina wasn't much better in giving up 260 rushing yards. 

The Tar Heels pass defense has been picked apart in the past two games. Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns last week.

Once Hendon Hooker took over as Virginia Tech's quarterback in the second half, the offense scored 23 points in the third quarter alone. He threw for 106 yards on just nine attempts in the frame. 

UNC head coach Mack Brown and co-defensive coordinators Jay Bateman and Tommy Thigpen have to figure out a way to tighten things up on that side of the ball. 

Fortunately for the Tar Heels, the schedule lightens for the next five weeks. They don't have to play Clemson during the regular season and don't play a ranked opponent until Notre Dame on Nov. 27. 

The Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes (Dec. 5) will likely be the biggest hurdles to clear in ACC play. 

If the offense continues to perform at this level, the defense won't have to be great for North Carolina to finish the regular season undefeated. If that happens, the program could win the ACC championship and sneak into the playoffs.

          

Hendon Hooker Deserves to Be Hokies QB

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente has been reluctant to commit to one quarterback this season. Hooker was slated to start Sept. 19 against Virginia, but the game was postponed because of a COVID-19 spike on Virginia Tech's campus that week. 

Burmeister wound up starting the Hokies' first two games against North Carolina State and Duke. Even though the team won, his results were subpar, with 16 completions on 36 attempts, one touchdown and one interception. 

Fuente turned to Burmeister for the start against North Carolina, and things didn't get any better. The junior went 7-of-15 for 79 yards in the first half, and the Hokies trailed 35-14 at intermission. 

That quick slant is always a fourth-and-short converter for me on EA Sports NCAA Football.

It wasn't for #Hokies QB Braxton Burmeister, who threw behind WR Tre Turner on fourth-and-3 from UNC's 42-yd. line.

— Norm Wood (@normwood) October 10, 2020

Hooker, who made his season debut Saturday, didn't look sharp immediately.

Hooker had DeIuliis open on the wheel but threw it behind him. 4th and 19 from the 38. Johnson on for a 55-yard FG attempt. #Hokies

— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) October 10, 2020

He played one series in the first half that resulted in a three-and-out, but Fuente gave him the keys to the offense in the second half. Things dramatically improved for the Hokies offense, as they dropped 23 points in the quarter, which closed the deficit to 42-37. 

Hendon Hooker comes in at half and VT scores 23 points in the 3rd quarter 🤔 https://t.co/ulhJJ6Qlkt

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) October 10, 2020

#Hokies now have 233 rushing yards, 418 total yards while averaging 6.53 yards per play including 9.12 in the third quarter.

The Hendon Hooker effect on full display

— The Tech Lunch Pail (@TechLunchPailD) October 10, 2020

And how bout that. #Hokies have cut this to a 5-point game heading to the 4th. I don’t think it’s accidental the shift in momentum came after Hendon Hooker took over the reins at QB.

UNC leads 42-37 at the start of the 4th.

— Anthony Romano (@ARomano42) October 10, 2020

This is a continuation of what Hooker did last season when he took over as Virginia Tech's primary quarterback in the team's fifth game against Miami. The then-sophomore quarterback threw for 1,555 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions on just 162 attempts and had five rushing touchdowns in 2019. 

Hooker has proved to be the best quarterback on Virginia Tech's roster. He provided a spark against a good North Carolina team Saturday when nothing seemed to be working. 

Fuente may have felt the need to ease Hooker back into things after he missed time, but there's no question about who should be the starter.

          

What's Next?

The Hokies will return to Blacksburg to host Boston College at Lane Stadium on Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. ET. North Carolina will travel to Tallahassee for a matchup with Florida State on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. ET. 

A group of protesters are calling on the University of North Carolina to change its nickname from the Tar Heels, citing its relationship to the Confederacy.

William Thorpe, the director of the Union Soldier Campaign, says the term "tar heels" celebrated Confederate soldiers who held their ground against Union troops during the Civil War.

"They stood their ground as if they had tar on their heels...if you call yourself a Tar Heel…you're cheering for the essence of white supremacy," Thorpe said, per the News & Observer. 

The Union Soldier Campaign is asking North Carolina to change its name to the Rams, which would allow them to keep the same logo and color scheme.

North Carolina history professor Jim Leloudis said the term was meant to demean slaves or poor white people. 

"It's hard to untangle," Leloudis said. "The term, at first, is derogatory in terms of race and class, then gets turned into a symbol of Confederate pride and loyalty."

The original origins of the Tar Heel nickname are unknown. North Carolina chose its name in the 1880s, not long after the end of the Civil War and during a time when the term was still colloquially known as an insult.