North Carolina ends skid with convincing win over Virginia

Omarion Hampton rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns as visiting North Carolina snapped a four-game losing streak and with a convincing 41-14 victory over Virginia on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville, Va.

Hampton averaged 4.0 yards on 26 carries and hauled in three passes for 37 yards. Jacolby Criswell completed 19 of 30 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns for UNC (4-4, 1-3 ACC), while also rushing for 27 yards.

J.J. Jones had five receptions for 129 yards and caught touchdown passes of 37 and 31 yards.

Anthony Colandrea had 156 passing yards for Virginia (4-4, 2-3), while backup quarterback Tony Muskett threw the lone touchdown of the day for the Cavaliers, connecting with JR Wilson on a 68-yard strike.

Virginia got on the scoreboard first quarter with a 30-yard field goal from Will Bettridge on the opening drive, but didn't reach the end zone until early in the fourth quarter. By then, North Carolina was well in front, taking a 38-6 lead when Jahvaree Ritzie intercepted Colandrea and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown.

A 290-pound defensive lineman, Ritzie stiff-armed Colandrea while rumbling down the sideline and got a key block from linebacker Amare Campbell as he scored with 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

UNC was able to pressure Virginia's quarterbacks often, coming up with 10 sacks to set a singoe-game record for the program. Kaimon Rucker had an interception for UNC.

The Tar Heels held Virginia to just 7 rushing yards, a season-best for their defense and a season-low for the Cavaliers' offense.

It was also the third time this season that North Carolina played a turnover-free game on offense.

It was North Carolina's first victory wide receiver Tylee Craft died after a battle with cancer on Oct. 12. UNC and Virginia players wore Carolina Blue No. 13 stickers on their helmets in his honor.

--Field Level Media