The North Carolina Tar Heels football team experienced a disappointing outcome with a 70-50 defeat against the James Madison Dukes at Kenan Stadium, marking one of the worst performances in program history.
Coming into the game with a record of 3-1, the Tar Heels hadn’t conceded 70 points in a match since a 70-41 loss to East Carolina in 2014. Historically, UNC had enjoyed a dominant edge over James Madison, winning by an average margin of four touchdowns in their last three meetings. However, this time, the Dukes managed to secure back-to-back wins against ACC teams, having beaten Virginia the previous season.
The Tar Heels were plagued by five turnovers, while James Madison capitalized on this misfortune, scoring on their last five drives of the first half, ending it with an impressive 50 points.
The game unfolded with several key moments:
– James Madison equaled East Carolina’s record for the most points ever scored against UNC, and the Tar Heels had never allowed such a high point total in their home stadium.
– Quarterback Alonza Barnett of James Madison shone with a remarkable performance, totaling six touchdowns—four passing and two rushing.
– UNC was unable to regain control despite efforts like a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Davion Gause.
At halftime, the Dukes led 53-21, having scored 50 points in the first half alone. Barnett’s stellar play extended James Madison’s lead multiple times, putting the Tar Heels in a challenging position early on.
The game, which started at noon on September 21, was broadcasted on the ACC Network, with various streaming options available. Despite the shocking loss, UNC held an all-time series advantage over James Madison, leading 3-0 prior to this game.
Looking ahead, both teams have challenging schedules lined up for the 2024 season, as they aim to bounce back from this significant loss.