North Carolina coach Mack Brown told anyone who would listen that the Tar Heels were going to win right away in his first season there.
Few believed it was possible. The Tar Heels were coming off a 2-9 season in 2018, and 3-9 in 2017.
Turns out, he was right.
And just as the Tar Heels opened their season with a victory, they ended it with one, too.
The Tar Heels dominated Temple in the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Md 55-13. on Friday. They will finish the 2019 season 7-6, their first winning season since 2016. It was also the Tar Heels’ first bowl win since 2013.
With the win Brown is now 14-8 all time in bowl games, and 4-2 at UNC.
Temple entered the game with some big wins this season, including a 30-28 victory over Memphis, which is playing in one of the New Year’s Six bowl games.
But in this game, the Tar Heels looked more confident, more polished, and the better overall team.
They were led by true freshman quarterback Sam Howell, who for much of this season, has delivered when needed. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 294 yards, and three touchdowns.
He even caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
The Tar Heels’ defense was just as good as the offense.
They allowed only two touchdowns, and in the third quarter scored one of their own. Storm Duck intercepted Temple quarterback Anthony Russo, and took it back 20 yards for a touchdown.
It was one of three touchdowns the Tar Heels scored in the third quarter. And by the end of that quarter, the game was all wrapped up, as the Tar Heels led by four touchdowns.
The Tar Heels 42-point victory was its second-largest of the season. They never trailed in this game.
FIRST DOWN
The Tar Heels intercepted two passes, including the pick-six from Duck. The second interception was by UNC linebacker Tomon Fox in the fourth quarter. They won the turnover battle 2-1, which helped their dominating effort.
TOUCHDOWN
The Tar Heels had one of their best offensive performances of the season. They gained 534 total yards. They did it by establishing the run.
Even Howell got into the action. He had 53 yards rushing at halftime. That kept Temple guessing all game. Running it with Howell is something the Tar Heels haven’t been able to do this season with the lack of depth at the position. Backup quarterback Jace Ruder is out for the season with a leg injury.
PENALTY
The Tar Heels made few mistakes on Friday. But the one mistake they did make was a turnover in the third quarter. Junior wide receiver Dazz Newsome caught a screen pass from Howell, and fumbled it as he was tackled. The turnover gave the Owls the ball near the 50-yard line, and set up a 45-yard touchdown a short time later.
ICYMI
Howell, who won the game’s MVP award, passed Clemson’s Tahj Boyd for third place for most passing touchdowns in a single season in the ACC. He finished with 38.
Boyd threw 36 passing touchdowns in 2012, and Howell entered the game one touchdown behind him. The ACC record is 41 touchdown passes thrown by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016.
UNC junior running back Michael Carter rushed for 1,000 yards this season.
And UNC wide receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome became the fourth and fifth UNC receivers to join the 1,000-yard club. They are also the first wide receiver duo to get a 1,000 yard season in the same year.
KEY NUMBERS
238 rushing yards. The Tar Heels were 4-0 this season when they rushed for 200 or more yards in game.
11 out of 14conversions on third downs. Temple could not get the Tar Heels off the field.
55 The number of points UNC scored. It was a Military Bowl record.
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