College Football

Virginia Tech upsets UNC: Top moments from Friday's college football action

Updated Sep. 3, 2021 10:01 p.m. ET

Week 1 of college football is officially underway, featuring the Tar Heels and Hokies in action Friday.

Virginia Tech kicked off its 2021 football season with a 17-10 victory against No. 10 North Carolina in front of more than 65,000 fans at a sold-out Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The Hokies, who finished eighth in the ACC after a 5-6 campaign in 2020 and return 19 starters, redeemed themselves with Friday's performance after suffering a 56-45 loss at UNC last season.

On the other side, UNC, who finished fourth in the ACC with an 8-4 record last year, struggled to find a rhythm despite returning 21 of their 22 starters, including Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Howell.

Here are the top moments from Friday's matchup.

Virginia Tech 17, UNC 10

Virginia Tech was dealing early on Friday. Hokies QB Braxton Burmeister connected with running back Raheem Blackshear for a 33-yard hit that moved Virginia Tech into North Carolina's territory.

Five plays later, Burmeister ran it in 4 yards for a Hokies touchdown to put Virginia Tech up 7-0 with 10:01 to play in the first quarter.

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As the Hokies charged down the field once again, UNC defensive back Trey Morrison forced Keshawn King to fumble in the red zone. That was recovered by Ja'Qurious Conley, and UNC took over at its own 9-yard line to close out the frame.

Virginia Tech dominated time of possession in the first, holding the ball for 12:30.

To start the second quarter, Hokies defensive lineman Mario Kendricks came up with a massive sack of Howell for a loss of 13 yards to make it fourth-and-20, forcing UNC to punt.

Virginia Tech continued to own the line of scrimmage, as Burmeister connected with Blackshear once again, this time for 18 yards, followed by a 16-yard completion to wide receiver Tre Turner on the next play.

At the 4:32 mark, Turner snagged a 34-yard bomb from Burmeister to put the Hokies on North Carolina's 8-yard line.

Three plays later, Hokies TE James Mitchell came out of nowhere for an 11-yard reception that put Virginia Tech up 14-0 as the second frame came to a close.

In the first half, Heisman hopeful Howell went 4-for-8 for 58 yards and was sacked three times, while Burmeister went 7-for-8 for 126 and two TDs. Turner led all receivers with 59 yards.

On the first play of the third quarter, Howell was sacked by DL Amare Barno for a loss of 4 yards that ultimately led UNC to punt on its first drive of the second half.

Virginia Tech went three-and-out before the Tar Heels got the ball back at the 11:13 mark, but it was more of the same struggles for UNC. On that drive, Howell's pass was intercepted by DB Jermaine Waller at Virginia Tech's 25-yard line.

After another change of possession, the Tar Heels had another chance to get on the board, and this time, Howell was able to connect with former top-100 WR recruit Josh Downs for a 37-yard TD pass to keep the Hokies within arm's reach at 14-7.

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With that score, Howell became UNC's all-time touchdown leader with 69 passing TDs, surpassing former Tar Heels QB Darian Durant (2001-04).

At the top of the fourth quarter, John Parker Romo nailed a 48-yard field goal that brought the stadium to its feet, extending the Hokies' lead to 17-7.

Then the two teams traded turnovers. At the 12:27 mark, Burmeister's pass was intercepted by Conley at the Tar Heels' 30-yard line, and two plays later, Howell was intercepted by Hokies linebacker Dax Hollifield to put Virginia Tech back in the driver's seat.

The Hokies held off the Tar Heels on a huge third down midway through the frame, as TyJuan Garbutt sacked Howell to hold UNC to a field goal. With that, it was a one-score game at 17-10.

In the final minutes of the fourth, Tennessee grad transfer tailback Ty Chandler helped the Tar Heels charge down the field, but UNC's comeback unraveled when Howell threw another pick in the final minute.

Hokies DB Chamarri Conner snagged Howell's pass — which he presumably was trying to throw out of bounds to avoid yet another sack — with 37 seconds left in the game, and things ended there.

In all, Howell went 17-for-32 for 208 yards and three interceptions, while Burmeister was much more efficient, going 12-for-19 for 169 yards for the Hokies. UNC's Downs led all receivers with 123 yards.

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