Sports

Photos: Virginia upsets North Carolina in college football action

By Robert T Willett
North Carolina coach Mack Brown argues a call with official Brian Perry in the second quarter against Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown argues a call with official Brian Perry in the second quarter against Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Raleigh

The North Carolina Tar Heels fell to Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

North Carolina, undefeated coming into the game, lost 31-27 in the South’s oldest rivalry.

The Cavaliers intercepted a pass in the final 30 seconds to stop a Tar Heel drive and sealing the upset win.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) leaves the field following the Tar Heels’ 31-27 loss to Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Maye was intercepted on the final drive of the game securing the win for the Cavaliers.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) leaves the field following the Tar Heels’ 31-27 loss to Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Maye was intercepted on the final drive of the game securing the win for the Cavaliers. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Mack Brown leaves the field following the Tar Heels’ 31-27 loss to Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown leaves the field following the Tar Heels’ 31-27 loss to Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Desmond Evans (10) consoles teammate Jahvaree Ritzie (5) following the Tar Heels’ 31-27 loss to Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Desmond Evans (10) consoles teammate Jahvaree Ritzie (5) following the Tar Heels’ 31-27 loss to Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Ed Montilus (63) consoles teammate William Barnes (76) following an interception by Virginia’s James Jackson (7) with 26 seconds to play in the game, securing a 31-27 Virginia victory on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Ed Montilus (63) consoles teammate William Barnes (76) following an interception by Virginia’s James Jackson (7) with 26 seconds to play in the game, securing a 31-27 Virginia victory on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Virginia’s James Jackson (7) comes up with the ball after intercepting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye’s pass with 26 seconds to play in the game, securing a 31-27 Virginia victory on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Virginia’s James Jackson (7) comes up with the ball after intercepting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye’s pass with 26 seconds to play in the game, securing a 31-27 Virginia victory on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) watches as Virginia’s James Jackson (7) intercepts the ball after Maye was hit while throwing with 26 seconds to play in the game, securing a 31-27 Virginia victory on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) watches as Virginia’s James Jackson (7) intercepts the ball after Maye was hit while throwing with 26 seconds to play in the game, securing a 31-27 Virginia victory on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nate McCollum (6) reacts after the Tar Heels turned the ball over to Virginia on fourth down late in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Nate McCollum (6) reacts after the Tar Heels turned the ball over to Virginia on fourth down late in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) watches Virginia run out the clock after the Tar Heels turned the ball over to Virginia on fourth down late in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) watches Virginia run out the clock after the Tar Heels turned the ball over to Virginia on fourth down late in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) can’t pull in a pass from quarterback Drake Maye, turning the ball over to Virginia on fourth down on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) can’t pull in a pass from quarterback Drake Maye, turning the ball over to Virginia on fourth down on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) is sacked by Virginia’s Ben Smiley III (10) for a two yard loss in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) is sacked by Virginia’s Ben Smiley III (10) for a two yard loss in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Fans in the North Carolina student section react after Virginia scored to take a 31-27 lead in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Fans in the North Carolina student section react after Virginia scored to take a 31-27 lead in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Virginia’s Caleb Hardy (26) works to slow North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) after a pass reception and a gain of 19 yards in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Virginia’s Caleb Hardy (26) works to slow North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) after a pass reception and a gain of 19 yards in the fourth quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) gives offensive lineman Williams Barnes (76) a pat on the head after scoring a touchdown on a three-yard run in the third quarter to give the Tar Heels’ a 24-14 lead over Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) gives offensive lineman Williams Barnes (76) a pat on the head after scoring a touchdown on a three-yard run in the third quarter to give the Tar Heels’ a 24-14 lead over Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) scores on a three-yard run in the third quarter to give the Tar Heels’ a 24-14 lead over Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) scores on a three-yard run in the third quarter to give the Tar Heels’ a 24-14 lead over Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) reacts after scoring on a 25-yard pass completion from quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter against Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) reacts after scoring on a 25-yard pass completion from quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter against Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Virginia’s Sam Westfall (13) defends North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Virginia’s Sam Westfall (13) defends North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Virginia’s Perris Jones (2) breaks away from North Carolina’s Marcus Allen (29) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Virginia’s Perris Jones (2) breaks away from North Carolina’s Marcus Allen (29) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Virginia quarterback Tony Musket (11) is stopped by North Carolina’s Kaimon Rucker (25) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Musket was called for intentional grounding.
Virginia quarterback Tony Musket (11) is stopped by North Carolina’s Kaimon Rucker (25) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Musket was called for intentional grounding. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Virginia quarterback Tony Musket (11) is stopped by North Carolina’s Kaimon Rucker (25) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Musket was called for intentional grounding.
Virginia quarterback Tony Musket (11) is stopped by North Carolina’s Kaimon Rucker (25) in the first quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Musket was called for intentional grounding. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Mack Brown argues a call with official Brian Perry in the second quarter against Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown argues a call with official Brian Perry in the second quarter against Virginia on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Armani Chatman (9) intercepts a pass intended for Virginia’s Malachi Fields (8) in the second quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C
North Carolina’s Armani Chatman (9) intercepts a pass intended for Virginia’s Malachi Fields (8) in the second quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin (53) works to protect quarterback Drake Maye from Virginia’s Aaron Faumui (94), as he and Michael Diatta (18) pressure Maye during the second quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin (53) works to protect quarterback Drake Maye from Virginia’s Aaron Faumui (94), as he and Michael Diatta (18) pressure Maye during the second quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Antavious Lane (1) works to stop Virginia’s Perris Jones (2) in the second quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Antavious Lane (1) works to stop Virginia’s Perris Jones (2) in the second quarter on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published October 21, 2023 at 8:29 PM.

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