Turnovers help North Carolina and Belichick beat Huskies, 38-21

UConn’s Ryder Treadway (11) catches a touchdown pass despite pressure from North Carolina’s Jaden Jefferson in Saturday’s game at Rentschler Field. (Photo courtesy Scott Kerr)

Even after two years, it looks a little strange to see Bill Belichick in all-Carolina blue instead a torn hoodie in the red, white and blue of the New England Patriots.

But one thing hasn’t changed. Don’t commit mistakes against a Belichick-coached team.

Visiting North Carolina created three turnovers leading to 21 point as as the Tar Heels beat UConn, 38-21 on Saturday before 36,901 fans at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

The Tar Heels intercepted UConn QB Kalieb Osborne twice, returning one for a touchdown and Osborne also lost a fumble.

“Obviously not a winning performance by us,” UConn head coach Jason Candle said. “Hats off to Carolina though. They put us in some tough situations, and they won the football game. At times I didn’t feel like we were at our best and we gave them some things, set them up on some short fields. Turnovers were a big deal today and really changed the whole rhythm of the game.”

The Huskies (4-5), who have dropped two in a row, trailed by 14 in the second quarter, 21-7 but cut the lead to seven, 28-21 on a 93-yard drive in the third quarter on just seven plays.

But North Carolina (5-4) responded with an impressive drive in steady rain that ended with a 27-yard field goal from Rece Verhoff and a 31-21 lead with 6:05 left in the third quarter.

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick at Rentschler Field on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Scott Kerr)

Halfway through the fourth, North Carolina’s Jalon Thompson intercepted Osborne inside the Huskie 40, marking the Tar Heel defense’s third forced turnover of the day.

Carolina then took the ball 32 yards in eight plays, killing the clock until Edwards hit Thurman for a second time on the day and the back-breaking TD to give UNC a 38-21 lead with 3:31 to play.

“UConn is a very challenging team,” Belichick said. “They put a lot of pressure on us and we had a little trouble with that early. Their quarterbacks’ really good, their receivers are good. We were very challenged by them all day. But in the end, I’m proud of our guys and how they stepped up and finished the game. The turnovers were big for us, and the red area touchdowns were big as well.”

Carolina QB Billy Edwards Jr threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the win – two to receiver Jelani Thurman. Linebacker Timir Hickman-Collins had an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery.

UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne completed 17 of 35 for 245 yards and two touchdowns but had two interceptions and lost a fumble. Wide receiver Ryder Treadway way had four catches for 82 yards and touchdown.

North Carolina’s Benjamin Hill (7) turns the corner during Saturday’s game against UConn at Rentschler Field. (Photo courtesy Scott Kerr)

UNC possessed the ball for 36:23 to just 23:37 for the Huskies and forced three turnovers, efficiently converting them into 21 points. Carolina ran it 36 times for 164 yards (4.6 yards per carry), which proved crucial as the weather turned sloppy in the second half and made passing more difficult.

The game began with sunshine at kickoff but it rained hard in the second half.

UConn had two missed opportunities in the first quarter. After an interception by Hayden Pegg, who returned it 29 yards to Tar Heel 48-yard line, the Huskies moved 21 yards before missing a 45-yard field goal.

Later in the quarter, UConn went for it on fourth-and-three in Tar Heel territory. Osborne’s pass deflected off his receiver’s hands and Hickman-Collins snared the ball and raced 62 yards down the right sideline for a score and a7-0 lead.

UConn tied the score at 7-7 just over a minute into the second quarter on an 18-yard toss from Osborne to Ryder Treadway that capped a six-play, 53-yard drive.

Carolina responded immediately when Benjamin Hall  scampered to the left side for a 39-yard TD with 10:05 left before the half. On the next Huskie drive, Hickman-Collins recovered an Osborne fumble at the UConn 22. Four plays later, Edwards connected with Shipp for a six-yard score and a 21-7 Tar Heel lead.

Connecticut raced to a quick reply, advancing 75 yards in just five plays, culminated by a 24-yard toss from Osborne from Cam Abshire that made the score 21-14.

With just 24 seconds remaining in the half, Edwards hit Thurman for a six-yard score to give Carolina a 28-14 lead at the break. It was Thurman’s team-high seventh touchdown of the year, and it capped an impressive, 16-play drive to essentially run out the clock before intermission.

UConn hosts James Madison next Saturday at noon at Rentschler Field.

North Carolina 38, UConn 21
At East Hartford
North Carolina (5-4)  7  21  3  7  — 38
UConn (4-5)                 0  14  7  0  — 21
First quarter
NC: Timir Hickman-Collins 62 interception return (Rece Verhoff kick), 5:29
Second quarter
C: Ryder Treadway 18 pass from Kalieb Osborne (Jack O’Connor kick), 13:42
NC: Benjamin Hall 39 run (Verhoff Kick), 10:05
NC: Jordan Shipp 6 pass from Billy Edwards Jr. (Verhoff kick), 7:41
C: Cam Abshire 24 pass from Kalieb Osborne (O’Connor kick), 1:34
NC: Jelani Thurman 3 pass from Edwards (Verhoff kick), 0:24
Third quarter
C: Cyncir Bowers 13 run (O’Connor kick), 6:09
NC: Verhoff 27 FG, 6:05
Fourth quarter
NC: Thurman 3 pass from Edwards (Verhoff kick), 3:38