ETSU no match for Belichick, Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A well-traveled quarterback and a Demon proved to be too much for East Tennessee State against Bill Belichick and North Carolina. Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns and Demon June ran for three scores as ETSU dropped a 35-3 decision at North Carolina on a Saturday afternoon that included a 71-minute lightning delay in the final quarter. North Carolina's home opener marked its 100th season of playing football at Kenan Stadium with 42,362 spectators in attendance. ETSU (1-2) trailed 21-0 at halftime, and finally got on the board with a 41-yard field goal by Ewan Johnson with 3:57 left in the game that followed the lightning delay. Edwards, who previously played at Wake Forest, Maryland and Wisconsin, put North Carolina up in the first quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Thurman that followed an interception by Greg Smith. Aeron Burrell converted the first of five extra point kick attempts for a 7-0 lead just 5:12 into the game. North Carolina (2-0), which out-gained ETSU 427-255, followed with two second quarter scores, including a 99-yard drive that resulted in a 26-yard scoring toss to Benjamin Hill from Edwards, and June added a 9-yard score to put the Tar Heels up 21-0 at the halftime break. Two more scores followed in the third period, with June scoring from six yards after Peyton Seelman forced a fumble that was recovered by Smith. June also had a 1-yard plunge that capped off a 92-yard drive. North Carolina had 244 yards through the air and 161 on the ground. ETSU quarterback Mason Mims was 23-of-31 for 178 yards and one interception, with Kingsport native Charlie Browder leading with three receptions for 50 yards. The Bucs were held to 77 yards rushing, with TJ Peyton getting 52 of those. Hill paced North Carolina with 49 yards on the ground, while Thurman had four catches and 71 yards. The Tar Heels averaged 8.1 yards on 53 plays, while the Bucs ran 67 offensive yards, but managed just 3.8 yards a play. North Carolina recorded four sacks and forced four punts, while recovering one fumble and picking off one pass. Dre Delinios led ETSU in tackles for a third straight game with 10, while Mike Jenkins added seven stops and broke up a pass. Qua Birdsong had the lone sack for the Bucs, which committed seven penalties for 67 yards. ETSU will play its final non-conference game next Saturday by hosting West Georgia. Kickoff is slated for noon at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium. ETSU dropped its lone decision to the Wolves last season, 35-31. North Carolina, which defeated Texas Christian in its opener in Dublin, Ireland, will open ACC action next Saturday at Clemson. *** North Carolina 35, ETSU 3 ETSU 0 0 0 3 — 3 North Carolina 7 14 14 0 — 35 First Quarter NC—Jelani Thurman 24 pass from Billy Edwards Jr. (Aeron Burrell kick) 9:48 Second Quarter NC—Benjamin Hill 26 pass from Edwards Jr. (Burrell kick) 12:13 NC—Demon Jude 9 run (Burrell kick) 1:20 Third Quarter NC—Jude 6 run (Burrell kick) 13:10 NC—Jude 1 run (Burrell kick) 3:30 Fourth Quarter ET—Ewan Johnson 41 field goal 3:57