CLEMSON, S.C. — Running back Demon June rushed for an early touchdown, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. tossed a 15-yard score to Benjamin Hall, and North Carolina built a 17-6 halftime lead over Clemson at Memorial Stadium.
The Tar Heels outgained the Tigers 195 to 117 in total offensive yards and controlled the clock for 16:31 of the opening half. Clemson’s offense struggled to finish drives, relying on placekicker Nolan Hauser for a pair of field goals, including a 21-yarder as time expired in the second quarter.
First Quarter: Tar Heels Surge Ahead Early
Clemson received the opening kickoff, but its initial drive stalled after three plays, leading to a Jack Smith punt. Taking over at the Clemson 47-yard line, North Carolina needed just six plays to strike first. Running back Benjamin Hall broke loose for a 16-yard gain, setting up Demon June’s 3-yard touchdown rush at the 10:50 mark. Aeron Burrell added the extra point to give UNC a 7-0 advantage.
Clemson responded with a 9-play, 44-yard drive that featured a 9-yard run from Gideon Davidson. Hauser capped the possession by splitting the uprights on a 49-yard field goal to pull Clemson within 7-3.
North Carolina answered immediately on its next possession. Edwards connected with Jordan Shipp on a 23-yard completion and Mason Humphrey for 17 yards. On third-and-6 from the Clemson 15-yard line, Edwards found Hall for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 2:05 left in the quarter, extending the lead to 14-3.
On Clemson’s next drive, running back Jarvis Green fumbled following a tackle by Gregory Smith III, and Tar Heels defensive end Jaylen Harvey recovered the loose ball at the Clemson 25-yard line. However, North Carolina was unable to capitalize when Burrell missed a 47-yard field goal attempt as the first quarter ended.
Second Quarter: Defense and Field Goals Dictate Pace
The Tar Heels extended their lead midway through the second quarter behind a sustained 13-play, 61-yard march. Edwards scrambled for a 17-yard gain on third-and-6, and Hall added gains of 9 and 11 yards on the ground. Burrell redeemed his earlier miss by converting a 33-yard field goal with 8:36 remaining in the half to push UNC ahead 17-3.
Clemson’s defense, led by linebacker Sammy Brown (5 total tackles, 1.0 sack) and safety Corey Myrick (5 total tackles), forced a Tar Heels punt on UNC’s next drive to give the offense one final first-half opportunity.
Starting from their own 10-yard line with 5:02 on the clock, the Tigers put together an 18-play, 88-yard drive. Quarterback Tait Reynolds connected with Bryant Wesco Jr. for gains of 19 and 7 yards, while Tyler Brown added a 13-yard catch to move Clemson into the red zone. Facing second-and-goal from the 2-yard line with seconds remaining, Clemson was stopped short on consecutive passes before Hauser booted a 21-yard field goal as time expired to make it 17-6 at the break.
First Half Key Player Statistics
Passing
- North Carolina:
- Billy Edwards Jr.: 7-15, 83 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT (Long: 23 YDS)
- Clemson:
- Tait Reynolds: 12-19, 76 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT (Long: 19 YDS)
Rushing
- North Carolina:
- Benjamin Hall: 5 CAR, 52 YDS
- Demon June: 5 CAR, 27 YDS, 1 TD
- Billy Edwards Jr.: 4 CAR, 21 YDS
- Jaylen McGill: 2 CAR, 12 YDS
- Clemson:
- Gideon Davidson: 7 CAR, 37 YDS
- Tait Reynolds: 6 CAR, 5 YDS
- Chris Johnson Jr.: 2 CAR, 0 YDS
- Jarvis Green: 1 CAR, -1 YD
Receiving
- North Carolina:
- Jordan Shipp: 2 REC, 27 YDS
- Mason Humphrey: 1 REC, 17 YDS
- Benjamin Hall: 1 REC, 15 YDS, 1 TD
- Jelani Thurman: 2 REC, 15 YDS
- Trech Kekahuna: 1 REC, 9 YDS
- Clemson:
- Bryant Wesco Jr.: 3 REC, 29 YDS
- T.J. Moore: 5 REC, 19 YDS
- Tyler Brown: 1 REC, 13 YDS
- Christian Bentancur: 1 REC, 8 YDS
- Olsen Patt-Henry: 1 REC, 4 YDS
- Gideon Davidson: 1 REC, 3 YDS
Defensive Leaders
- North Carolina: Derek McDonald (6 TOTAL), Coleman Bryson (6 TOTAL), Kaleb Cost (4 TOTAL), Jaiden Patterson (4 TOTAL), Xavier Lewis (2 TOTAL, 1.0 SACK), Gregory Smith III (2 TOTAL, 1 FF), Jaylen Harvey (1 TOTAL, 1 FR)
- Clemson: Ronan Hanafin (5 TOTAL), Corey Myrick (5 TOTAL), Sammy Brown (5 TOTAL, 1.0 SACK, 1.0 TFL), Jerome Carter III (4 TOTAL), London Merritt (2 TOTAL, 1.0 TFL)
Statistical Overview
| Team Statistics | North Carolina | Clemson |
| First Downs | 11 | 9 |
| Net Rushing Yards | 112 | 41 |
| Net Passing Yards | 83 | 76 |
| Completions-Attempts-Int | 7-15-0 | 12-20-0 |
| Total Offensive Plays-Yards | 34-195 | 36-117 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Penalties-Yards | 4-30 | 1-5 |
| Punts-Average | 1-30.0 | 3-41.3 |
| Time of Possession | 16:31 | 13:29 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 4 of 7 | 4 of 9 |
