Carolina Sucks Life out of Cavs

“We had our chances,” said Virginia coach Al Groh.

All the energy, enthusiasm and momentum from last week’s upset of Florida State didn’t carry over into today’s game at North Carolina. The #23 Cavaliers, reverting to their mediocre pre-FSU form, suffered an ugly and deflating 7-5 loss to the Tar Heels. They managed just one field goal against a UNC defense that allowed 69 points in its previous outing.

In dropping their third ACC road game this month, the Wahoos (4-3, 2-3 ACC) generated just 199 yards and scored their third-fewest points in Al Groh’s 58 games as head coach. Now, with a tough November schedule, they will be hard-pressed to finish with a winning record and qualify for a fourth straight bowl.

“We had our chances,” Groh said. “Twice all we have to do is get the ball to the 30-yard line and we’re probably going to win the game. … We had our chances. We don’t have any complaints.”

The Cavs got inside the UNC 40 on their final two drives but couldn’t get within range for Connor Hughes, whose career-long field goal is 53 yards. Two incompletions and a sack forced Virginia to punt with about five minutes left. The ‘Hoos got the ball back at the UNC 38 following a 13-yard punt return by Emmanuel Byers . But three plays and two yards later, Marques Hagans rolled out and tried to throw to Deyon Williams . The ball was tipped by safety Trimane Goddard and intercepted by cornerback Cedrick Holt with 1:23 remaining.

UVa did not get the ball back, partly because Groh accepted a holding penalty on second down rather than decline the penalty and force a third and 3 at the UNC 29. That decision meant Virginia had to use its final timeout after the ensuing second-down play and allowed the Tar Heels to run extra time off the clock before punting as time expired. A penalty on the punt proved meaningless as North Carolina kneeled down with no time remaining.

“At that particular time, we thought field position would be important. There was a significant gain on the play. That was the issue,” Groh said of his decision to accept the penalty. “If they get up there close enough, they make it on third down, you don’t ever get the ball back. So in that particular case, your only option is to guard your opportunity to get the ball back.”

Hagans, who suffered a straining hamstring during a sensational performance against the Seminoles, had a rough day. He completed 14 of 28 passes for 108 yards and rushed for 26 yards. The Cavs ran for 94 yards against a North Carolina defense that was shredded by Louisville two weeks ago.

“After the Louisville game, we wanted to come out and erase that loss, especially the defense,” said UNC defensive tackle Chase Page. “We had a good plan and we came out and executed it.”

Virginia’s defense gave up 171 rushing yards, nearly twice UNC’s average entering the game. Ronnie McGill rushed for 117 yards on 22 carries. Still, the Tar Heels scored their only points on Matt Baker’s two-yard touchdown pass to fullback Rikki Cook late in the first quarter. They made plenty of mistakes. A high punt snap that sailed out of the end zone gave UVa a safety midway through the second quarter. Mike Mason also dropped a touchdown pass and Connor Barth missed two field goals.

But the Cavs couldn’t take advantage. Hughes missed a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter and made a 37-yarder early in the fourth. He became UVa’s all-time leading scorer with the kick, but he never got a chance to be the hero.

The Wahoos now have two weeks to regroup before facing Temple, their first of three straight home games in November. Their final three games are against Georgia Tech, #3 Virginia Tech and #6 Miami.

“It came down to who wanted it more in the fourth quarter,” said linebacker Ahmad Brooks . “It seems like Carolina wanted it more.”