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UNC |
PITT |
Ratliff-Williams stars as North Carolina trips up Pitt 34-31
PITTSBURGH (AP) Anthony Ratliff-Williams slipped his silver headphones off his ears and, asked innocently how he was feeling, replied ''I'm tired.''
Hard to blame him.
The North Carolina wide receiver returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, threw for another on a trick play and hauled in the eventual go-ahead score midway through the fourth quarter as the Tar Heels ended a six-game losing streak with a 34-31 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday.
''It's been too long,'' North Carolina quarterback Nathan Elliott said. ''We haven't had that feeling in a long time. You walk in the locker room, you think we're 12-0.''
Not exactly. Though it doesn't seem to matter where the Tar Heels (2-8, 1-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) are at when they face the Panthers. North Carolina is 5-0 against Pitt since the Panthers joined the ACC in 2013.
Last season, the Tar Heels needed a touchdown throw on the final snap to hold off Pitt. This time, the deciding score came a bit sooner. Ratliff-Williams hauled in a 3-yard flip from Elliott with 6:18 left to bookend an electric night for the sophomore wide receiver.
Ratliff-Williams accounted for 230 all-purpose yards for the Tar Heels. He ran through a sea of arm tackles 98 yards to the end zone on the opening kickoff, floated a 35-yard score to Josh Cabrera in the second quarter before catching Elliott's second touchdown pass as North Carolina beat a Power Five conference team for the first time in 369 days.
''You go on the road in the ACC and win here, that's a tough thing to do,'' Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora said. ''I'm proud of those guys. It's something they can build off of. The staff and the seniors have done a great job of keeping them close and keeping them believing. Good things are starting to happen.''
Nathan Elliott completed 20 of 31 passes for 235 yards and two scores in his first start.
''He did exactly what Nathan Elliott can do,'' Fedora said. ''He's been such a great teammate, biding his time, working his butt off, never saying a word, waiting for his opportunity and when his opportunity has come up, he's made something out of it.''
Darrin Hall ran for 121 yards and four touchdowns for Pitt (4-6, 2-4), but the Panthers saw their modest two-game winning streak come to an end and now face an uphill battle if they want to lock down a bowl berth for a 10th consecutive year. Pitt finishes the regular season against No. 17 Virginia Tech and No. 7 Miami.
''I don't really know how to explain it,'' Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said. ''We talk all the time about taking it. We found a way to give it away.''
PIVOTAL PLAY
The Panthers appeared ready to move in front late in the first half when wide receiver Quadree Henderson darted for the pylon on a jet sweep. Instead, North Carolina's J.K. Britt stripped Henderson before he crossed the goal line . Linebacker Cayson Collins scooped it up and raced 64 yards. Freeman Jones hit a career-best 51-yard field goal to give the Tar Heels a 24-17 lead going into the break.
''That's a 10-point swing,'' Fedora said. ''That's a huge play in the game.''
PLAYING KEEPAWAY
Elliott wasn't told he was starting until Wednesday, but Fedora made one simple plea to an offense that had committed 20 turnovers coming in: hold on to the ball. The Tar Heels did and rolled up 366 total yards. North Carolina also did something it has struggled with all season, finishing off an opponent. Pitt punted with 2:54 left and North Carolina ran out the clock.
''We said if it was 10:30 at night and we didn't turn the ball over we'd be happy,'' Fedora said. ''That's what (Elliott) did, he took care of the football.''
HUGE HALL
Hall has effectively put the starting running back spot on lock down. His four touchdowns were the most by a Panther since James Conner scored four times in a loss to the Tar Heels in 2014. Hall has gone over 100 yards in each of his last three games.
THE TAKEAWAY
UNC: Elliott likely deserves another look. The sophomore needs work as a passer but his mobility kept Pitt's improved pass rush in check for long stretches. He was at his best late while leading the Tar Heels on the late drive that put them ahead to stay.
Pitt: The Panthers are going to need something miraculous to keep their bowl streak alive. Virginia Tech and Miami will both have something significant to play for and Pitt will need to win both if it wants to extend its' season beyond the day after Thanksgiving.
UP NEXT
UNC: Welcomes Western Carolina to Chapel Hill on Nov. 18.
Pitt: travels to No. 17 Virginia Tech on Nov. 18.
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Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
N. Elliott
11 QB
|
N. Elliott | 20/31 | 235 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Ratliff-Williams
17 WR
|
A. Ratliff-Williams | 1/1 | 35 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Brown
2 RB
|
J. Brown | 15 | 70 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Carter
8 RB
|
M. Carter | 6 | 24 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Elliott
11 QB
|
N. Elliott | 9 | 10 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Johnson
85 WR
|
R. Johnson | 1 | -6 | 0 | -6 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
A. Ratliff-Williams
17 WR
|
A. Ratliff-Williams | 0 | 5 | 75 | 1 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Newsome
19 WR
|
D. Newsome | 0 | 5 | 46 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cabrera
13 WR
|
J. Cabrera | 0 | 2 | 44 | 1 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brown
2 RB
|
J. Brown | 0 | 2 | 43 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Fritts
82 TE
|
B. Fritts | 0 | 3 | 23 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cunningham
10 WR
|
J. Cunningham | 0 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Corrales
88 WR
|
B. Corrales | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Carter
8 RB
|
M. Carter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Johnson
85 WR
|
R. Johnson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
C. Holcomb
36 LB
|
C. Holcomb | 7-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Sails
9 CB
|
K. Sails | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Britt
29 S
|
J. Britt | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Stewart
6 CB
|
M. Stewart | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Collins
23 LB
|
C. Collins | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Carney
53 DE
|
M. Carney | 4-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Fox
12 DE
|
T. Fox | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Dorn
1 S
|
M. Dorn | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Drennon
17 DE
|
D. Drennon | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Wolfolk
11 DB
|
M. Wolfolk | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Crawford
92 DT
|
A. Crawford | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Rene
5 CB
|
P. Rene | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Strowbridge
55 DL
|
J. Strowbridge | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dalton
97 DT
|
J. Dalton | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Clarke
49 DT
|
J. Clarke | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Crafford
30 LB
|
H. Crafford | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
F. Jones
98 K
|
F. Jones | 2/3 | 51 | 4/4 | 10 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. Sheldon
39 P
|
T. Sheldon | 3 | 31.3 | 1 | 41 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Ratliff-Williams
17 WR
|
A. Ratliff-Williams | 2 | 60.0 | 98 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Stewart 6 CB
|
M. Stewart | 2 | 4.0 | 7 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
B. DiNucci
3 QB
|
B. DiNucci | 11/17 | 142 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Hall
22 RB
|
D. Hall | 23 | 121 | 4 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. DiNucci
3 QB
|
B. DiNucci | 14 | 83 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Henderson
10 WR
|
Q. Henderson | 5 | 42 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Ffrench
2 WR
|
M. Ffrench | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Moss
26 RB
|
C. Moss | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Whitehead
9 DB
|
J. Whitehead | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
M. Ffrench
2 WR
|
M. Ffrench | 0 | 3 | 35 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hall
22 RB
|
D. Hall | 0 | 1 | 30 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Clark
87 TE
|
C. Clark | 0 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Weah
85 WR
|
J. Weah | 0 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Ollison
37 RB
|
Q. Ollison | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Henderson
10 WR
|
Q. Henderson | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Araujo-Lopes
82 WR
|
R. Araujo-Lopes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
J. Whitehead
9 DB
|
J. Whitehead | 9-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Brightwell
39 LB
|
S. Brightwell | 9-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. Idowu
23 LB
|
O. Idowu | 5-0 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hamlin
3 DB
|
D. Hamlin | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Zeise
25 LB
|
E. Zeise | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jackson
11 DB
|
D. Jackson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Edwards
96 DL
|
A. Edwards | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Motley
32 DB
|
P. Motley | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pinnock
15 DB
|
J. Pinnock | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Camp
10 DL
|
K. Camp | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 |