Tar Heels shock Gamecocks with exciting fourth quarter comeback

The North Carolina Tar Heels held fast through most of the first quarter but the lack of depth began to show just a bit near the end of the period when the Carolina Gamecocks Tavien Feaster scored on a 34-yard run to cap off an eight play drive. The Gamecocks led 10-3 after the first period.

In the second half, however, it would be the Tar Heels that would take command with 15 unanswered points and the composure of freshman quarterback Sam Howell. Early in the fourth quarter, Howell connected with wide-out Beau Corrales in the back corner of the end zone for the go-ahead score. The Tar Heels led 20-24 with 8:26 left in the game.

Later in the fourth, the Gamecocks' still had plenty of time and opportunity to recapture the lead. But a Jake Bently's pass meant for South Carolina tight end Kyle Markway was intercepted by the Tar Heels' Myles Wolfolk which put an end to South Carolina's momentum. It was Wolfolk's second pick of the game.

North Carolina's 483 yards of total offense versus South Carolina's 270 yards was a significant factor in tipping the scale for the Tar Heel win. "Really happy to win... these young people have lost a lot of games in the fourth quarter the last two years," Brown said after the game. "The '05 Championship team was not any happier than this team tonight."

North Carolina held on for the 24-20 win. It was Mack Brown's first game and win since returning to North Carolina. The Tar Heels will host Miami on Sept. 7, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. and the Gamecocks' are set to hos Charleston Southern at noon.