CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -Cameron Sexton didn’t really have to look at the game film from the weekend loss at Virginia. North Carolina’s quarterback knew what to expect: mistakes.
“There was a ton,” Sexton said Monday. “I just think it was kind of a weird game. We got stuck where we just couldn’t quite get it. The opportunities were there and we’re going to capitalize on those. We’re going to get that fixed.”
Turnovers, wasted timeouts, a prevent defense that did nothing but keep the Tar Heels from ending their long losing streak in Charlottesville – it was all there to see. Sexton and his teammates know those problems can’t resurface, not if the Tar Heels hope to continue what has been their most successful season in recent years.
h straight loss at Virginia.
North Carolina committed three turnovers – two interceptions, one fumble – while forcing none. That doesn’t fit with the turnover-forcing formula that had worked in the Tar Heels’ wins this season, though they still rank ninth nationally in turnover margin. North Carolina is plus-13 in its five wins and minus-5 in its two losses.
That certainly undermined the offense, which scored a touchdown on its opening drive but didn’t score again until connecting on a field goal late in regulation despite getting 138 yards rushing from converted safety Shaun Draughn.
Making matters worse, the Tar Heels burned all their second-half timeouts before getting the ball back with 47 seconds left in regulation after the Cavaliers had tied the game. Coach Butch Davis decided to take a knee and head to overtime.
“That was one of the real regrettable things in that ballgame,” Davis said. “We gave them up to three, four or five seconds before the snap if they could fix it themselves, and you’re screaming from the sideline, ‘Get on the line, get off the line,’ … It was not good clock management.”
Sexton took some of the responsibility for that.
t that corrected because guys have been out there now and people realize what they have to do. That won’t be an issue again.”
The Tar Heels’ plans to correct mistakes got more difficult with the loss of fullback Anthony Elzy, who Davis said has a fractured scapula (shoulder blade) and will miss six weeks. Regardless, the Tar Heels figure they can move past the disappointing loss the same way they did after their 20-17 loss to the Hokies – a game they led 17-3 in the second half.
Then again, Draughn said the loss stung enough that the Tar Heels haven’t forgotten the game, either. Especially one that they had in hand before their miscues let it slip away.
“I was devastated,” Draughn said. “I felt like I left everything out there and still came out with a loss. I know the team is hurt. … It’s still there, but we’ve just got to take the loss as men.”
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