North Carolina Snaps Their Six -Game Losing Streak With A Win At Pittsburgh

It's been awhile since North Carolina has won a game. Their last win came against Old Dominion back on September 16th. 

Thursday night at Heinz Field though against Pittsburgh their six -game losing streak came to an end.

Anthony -Ratcliff -Williams  slipped his silver headphones off his ears and, asked innocently how he was feeling, replied "I'm tired."
Hard to blame him. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

The North Carolina wide receiver returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, threw for another on a trick play and hauled in the eventual go-ahead score midway through the fourth quarter as the Tar Heels ended a six-game losing streak with a 34-31 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

"It's been too long," North Carolina quarterback Nathan Elliott said. "We haven't had that feeling in a long time. You walk in the locker room, you think we're 12-0." "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

Not exactly. Though it doesn't seem to matter where the Tar Heels (2-8, 1-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) are at when they face the Panthers. North Carolina is 5-0 against Pitt since the Panthers joined the ACC in 2013. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

Last season, the Tar Heels needed a touchdown throw on the final snap to hold off Pitt. This time, the deciding score came a bit sooner. Ratliff-Williams hauled in a 3-yard flip from Elliott with 6:18 left to bookend an electric night for the sophomore wide receiver. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

Ratliff-Williams accounted for 230 all-purpose yards for the Tar Heels. He ran through a sea of arm tackles 98 yards to the end zone on the opening kickoff, floated a 35-yard score to Josh Cabrera in the second quarter before catching Elliott's second touchdown pass as North Carolina beat a Power Five conference team for the first time in 369 days. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

"You go on the road in the ACC and win here, that's a tough thing to do," Tar Heels coach Larry Feodora said. "I'm proud of those guys. It's something they can build off of. The staff and the seniors have done a great job of keeping them close and keeping them believing. Good things are starting to happen."
Nathan Elliott completed 20 of 31 passes for 235 yards and two scores in his first start. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

"He did exactly what Nathan Elliott can do," Fedora said. "He's been such a great teammate, biding his time, working his butt off, never saying a word, waiting for his opportunity and when his opportunity has come up, he's made something out of it." "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

Darrin Hall ran for 121 yards and four touchdowns for Pitt (4-6, 2-4), but the Panthers saw their modest two-game winning streak come to an end and now face an uphill battle if they want to lock down a bowl berth for a 10th consecutive year. Pitt finishes the regular season against No. 17 Virginia Tech and No. 7 Miami. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

"I don't really know how to explain it," Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said. "We talk all the time about taking it. We found a way to give it away." "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

PIVOTAL PLAY
The Panthers appeared ready to move in front late in the first half when wide receiver Quadree Henderson darted for the pylon on a jet sweep. Instead, North Carolina's J.K Britt stripped Henderson before he crossed the goal line . Linebacker Cayson Collins  scooped it up and raced 64 yards. Freeman Jones hit a career-best 51-yard field goal to give the Tar Heels a 24-17 lead going into the break. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

"That's a 10-point swing," Fedora said. "That's a huge play in the game." "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

PLAYING KEEPAWAY
Elliott wasn't told he was starting until Wednesday, but Fedora made one simple plea to an offense that had committed 20 turnovers coming in: hold on to the ball. The Tar Heels did and rolled up 366 total yards. North Carolina also did something it has struggled with all season, finishing off an opponent. Pitt punted with 2:54 left and North Carolina ran out the clock. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

"We said if it was 10:30 at night and we didn't turn the ball over we'd be happy," Fedora said. "That's what (Elliott) did, he took care of the football." "according tohttp://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

HUGE HALL
Hall has effectively put the starting running back spot on lock down. His four touchdowns were the most by a Panther since James Conner scored four times in a loss to the Tar Heels in 2014. Hall has gone over 100 yards in each of his last three games. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

THE TAKEAWAY
UNC: Elliott likely deserves another look. The sophomore needs work as a passer but his mobility kept Pitt's improved pass rush in check for long stretches. He was at his best late while leading the Tar Heels on the late drive that put them ahead to stay. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

Pitt: The Panthers are going to need something miraculous to keep their bowl streak alive. Virginia Tech and Miami will both have something significant to play for and Pitt will need to win both if it wants to extend its' season beyond the day after Thanksgiving. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2017/11/9/football-carolina-snaps-skid-with-win-at-pitt.aspx

North Carolina will return to action on Saturday November 18th when they host Western North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Kick-off is set for 3:00pm. The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra. "according to http://goheels.com/schedule.aspx?path=football