Williams’ four first-half TDs spark Tar Heels
North Carolina 56, Duke 24
DURHAM, N.C. — Javonte Williams scored four first-half touchdowns as North Carolina rolled past the Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon.
Sam Howell threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another score for the Tar Heels (5-2, 5-2), who were playing without a national ranking for the first time this season. Just like last month, they responded from a three-point loss to whip a neighboring rival, with North Carolina State the previous victim.
Williams gained 151 yards on 12 carries as part of UNC’s output of 573 yards of total offense. Backfield mate Michael Carter scored two touchdowns, posting 85 yards on 17 attempts. Howell finished 18 for 27 for
235 yards and an interception.
Duke quarterback Chase Brice was 11 for 23 for 155 yards. Teammate Mataeo Durant gained 132 yards on 11 carries, highlighted by a 46-yard touchdown run.
The Blue Devils (2-6, 1-6) are guaranteed a losing regular-season record for the third time in five seasons.
UNC posted two touchdowns less than five minutes into the game. Howell’s 2-yard fourth-down pass to Williams accounted for the first score, then Howell ran 3 yards untouched.
It was 21-0 with 2:06 left in the first quarter after Williams’ 4-yard touchdown run. The Tar Heels added to the onslaught on the second play of the second quarter when Carter bulled into the end zone at the end of a 22-yard pass play from Howell.
Duke finally scored on a 22-yard end-around by receiver Eli Pancol.
North Carolina responded on Williams’ 32-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-2 play. Williams added a 33-yard touchdown run 1:55 before halftime.
It was a strange setting as these rivals met for the 107th time, yet the stadium was empty of fans because of coronavirus-related restrictions on Duke’s campus.
Boston College 16, Syracuse 13
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Zay Flowers caught a 20-yard touchdown pass, Aaron Boumerhi kicked three field goals and BC sent the Orange to its fifth straight loss.
The Eagles held Syracuse to 240 yards of offense.
Flowers had six receptions for 64 yards for the Eagles (5-3, 4-3 ACC). David Bailey gained 125 yards on 25 carries, his first 100-yard game of the season and the fourth of his career. Travis Levy chipped in with 73 yards on the ground and caught four passes for 33 more.
Phil Jurkovec completed
20 of 29 passes for 208 yards. Boumerhi connected on field goals of 33, 34 and 22 yards.
Syracuse freshman JaCobian Morgan completed 19 of 30 for 188 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown to Aaron Hackett with 21 seconds remaining and one interception in his first start for the Orange (1-7, 1-6). Taj Harris had seven receptions for 61 yards.
Andre Szmyt hit on field goals from 35 and 46 yards for
Syracuse.
The game was tied at 3 when Jurkovec connected with Flowers in the left-hand corner of the end zone with just 24 seconds to go in the first half, giving the Eagles a 10-3 lead at intermission.
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No. 11 Miami 44, N.C. State 41
RALEIGH, N.C. — When Miami needed to make plays, D’Eriq King said he had faith in his teammates.
In turn, the Hurricanes figured they had the right guy at quarterback
King threw five touchdown passes, the last a go-ahead 54-yard catch-and-run play with Michael Harley with
2:43 left, for the Hurricanes on Friday night.
“I had no doubt we could go down there (and score),” King said. “I just trust those guys.”
The Houston transfer was 31 for 41 for 430 yards and ran for a game-high 105 yards on 15 carries.
“He came ready to play,” Miami tight end Will Mallory said. “He came ready to lead us and that’s exactly what he did. Everybody had that confidence in his ability.”
Miami (6-1, 5-1 ACC) scored the final 13 points to win its third game in a row and match last season’s victory total under second-year coach Manny Diaz.
“The guys believed in each other and they did what they needed to do to get it done,” Diaz said. “We’ve got a connected football team. We’ve got guys who fight for each other.”