38 – 28 Homecoming Loss to Georgia Tech Stings For Tar Heels Football

The North Carolina Tar Heels dropped their seventh game of the season to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 38 – 28. Freshman Yellow Jackets quarterback, Tobias Oliver, had 28 rush attempts for 120 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Oliver also went 2-2 passing for 104 yards and an 86-yard passing touchdown.

“It’s tough, definitely tough, because like you said, they only run it once or twice,” Dorn said when asked about the pressure the Yellow Jackets option offense puts on the secondary to defend the pass. ”And they’re running the ball, running the ball and you’re coming up, you’re coming up and they hit one over your head but it happens…it happens.”

In a losing effort, the Tar Heel defense had five takeaways and a defensive touchdown.

“It’s an ultimate team game,” Dorn said when asked about the team’s defensive effort. “Sometimes you set out and you achieve the goals you set out for and you still don’t win. And that’s just the nature of the beast.

Alongside of the solid team defensive performance, senior linebacker, Cole Holcomb, had a career day. Holcomb finished the game with 22 total tackles and 3 forced fumbles.

“I just play for my team,” said Holcomb. “That’s just the type guy I am. No matter what it is, I’m always going to give it my all and I’m never going to back down from anything. No matter what the situation is.”

After trailing 21-10 at halftime, the Tar Heels tied the game up 12:35 left in the game and forced a turnover on the ensuing possession; which gave them the ball on their own 8-yard line with 10:51 left in the game.

However junior quarterback, Nathan Elliott, threw interceptions on the next two offensive drives. The first lead to a go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run by Oliver with 3:00 left in the game. The second interception happened with 2:44 left in the game and led to a 22-yard field goal conversion by freshman kicker Wesley Wells .

“Yeah I mean you’re right, we’re one play from being a much better team record-wise.” said sophomore running back Michael Carter when asked about what’s missing from winning close games. “you know It’s crazy…every week you know.”

The Yellow Jackets (5-4, ACC 3-3) next matchup is a home game against Miami (FL) on Saturday November 10.

The Tar Heels (1-7, ACC 1-5), travel down tobacco road to face Duke in a rivalry game on Saturday November 10.