Jefferson’s 3 TDs lead Baylor by UNC 49-38 in Russell Bowl

The 10th-ranked Tar Heels (11-2) came up short in their bid to upset Clemson in the ACC title game, but have a chance to become the first North Carolina team to post a 12-win season. Running back Elijah Hood ran over 100 yards seven times, recording 1,345 rushing yards and 17 scores.

In the middle of the win was Jefferson, who was named the game’s MVP after rushing for 299 yards and three touchdowns, including an 80-yard sprint for a score in the third quarter to give Baylor a 42-24 lead. Carolina stopped them the second time at the UNC 31, but that was it for highlights for the Tar Heels defense.Baylor broke Illinois’ 16-year old Russell Athletic Bowl rushing record of 325 yards – before halftime. “We didn’t take care of the ball going into the end zone”.

North Carolina takes on Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Tailback Terence Williams also produced 97 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns. That means sophomore quarterback Chris Johnson, running backs Johnny Jefferson and Devin Chafin and some young receivers will have to step up. Baylor, aided by four conversions on 4th down, sustained long drives and finished them off with touchdowns in the endzone.

Baylor settled down in the second half, with Johnson taking more snaps, but the running backs continued to shoulder the load. It all nearly worked, and it was unbelievable watching talented players and a great coaching staff assemble a 1915-vintage game plan on the fly. With the highest scoring offense in the ACC, North Carolina won just three of those 11 games by one score and ranked No. 10 in the nation in scoring, averaging 40.9 points per game.

North Carolina ends its non-conference schedule and kicks off a busy eight-day stretch Monday by hosting UNCG, and the seventh-ranked Tar Heels do so while in the familiar position of not being at full strength.

The Bears’ play calling was varied and creative throughout, using a deluge of direct-snaps, jet sweeps and an occasional pass to keep the Tar Heels’ secondary honest. The Tar Heels had allowed 216.8 rushing yards per game through their first 13 games, including 627 rushing yards combined in their last two outings against N.C. State and Clemson. Coach Roy Williams, however, hasn’t been pleased with the team’s defense, especially at the 3-point line, which was costly in losses to Northern Iowa and Texas.

Though Briles has been credited in recent years with the offensive innovations he’s brought to the bears, Fedora remembers first being awe-struck with what he was doing at Stephenville. He then scored on a 27-yard scamper to increase the lead to 28-10 over North Carolina.

“We felt good about it. Our players were prepared”, Kendal Briles said.

Coleman, the 2015 Biletnikoff Award victor, caught 74 passes for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns this season and has already announced that he will declare for the 2016 National Football League draft.

“It’s very important for us to have a strong performance”, senior wide receiver Jay Lee said. “We’ve been through a lot, and sending those guys out on the right note and just getting a win is big for us and big for the program”.