PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Nathan Elliott started against Miami and completed 16-of-25 passes but for only 104 yards in the 47-10 loss. He didn’t throw an interception but lost three fumbles, one returned by Miami for a touchdown. He is 75-of-129 passing (58.1 percent) for an average of 193.3 yards per game with four interceptions against three touchdowns.
–QB Chazz Surratt returned from a suspension for his first playing time of the season and gave some life to North Carolina’s running game. He rushed for 69 yards on just seven carries but was only 4-of-10 passing for just 10 yards with three interceptions.
–DE Malik Carney also returned from a suspension for his second outing of the season and was credited with five tackles and two forced fumbles for the Heels. He had one of the team’s two sacks, giving him three for the season in just two games.
–LB Cole Holcomb leads the Tar Heels in tackles with 28 stops. He has a sack, a quarterback hurry, and a pass break-up. The former walk-on has started 28 games after earning a scholarship before the 2016 season.
SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads North Carolina 22-12-6. Virginia Tech won the last meeting, 59-7, in 2017.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We are in the seventh week of the season and we are going into our second home game, so that is kind of unusual.” — Coach Larry Fedora, noting that his Tar Heels were at home only once in September because one game (UCF) was cancelled.
