North Carolina topped undefeated No. 9 Wake Forest in a 58-55 shootout on Saturday behind a monster game from running back Ty Chandler. The loss drops the Demon Deacons to 8-1 and effectively eliminates the ACC from the College Football Playoff.
Wake Forest’s offense sits among the best in college football, ranking No. 5 at 43.4 points and No. 9 at 495.4 yards per game. However, North Carolina became the second opponent in the last three games to score 50 points against the Demon Deacons. Army held things close in a 70-56 matchup on Oct. 23.
Chandler set career highs with 213 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns — none bigger than his final carry of the day. With the Tar Heels up by three points, Chandler broke off a 50-yard run on the first play of the drive to give North Carolina a 10-point lead that it would never relinquish. UNC quarterback Sam Howell added 216 yards passing and a touchdown on just 26 pass attempts.
Chandler’s four touchdowns in this game matches the most he ever scored in a single season during his time at Tennessee.
Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman had another huge game in the loss with 398 yards passing, 78 yards rushing and 7 total touchdowns. Unfortunately, a fourth quarter incompletion allowed the Tar Heels to fight back from a two-score lead and tie the game. Demon Deacons star receiver Jaquarii Roberson caught 7 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns, while A.T. Perry went for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Demon Deacons entered the College Football Playoff Rankings at No. 9, the highest-ranked ACC team in the initial top 25. The other team in the top 20 was No. 19 NC State, which Wake Forest will play next week in Winston-Salem.
Wake Forest’s loss will not count against the ACC standings, however, as the in-state rivals scheduled this meeting as a nonconference game to keep the yearly rivalry alive. The Demon Deacons are still undefeated in ACC play and remain clear favorites to capture the ACC championship for the first time since 2006.
