8/31/2019 football Edit

Williams Sparks Game-Changing 98-Yard Drive

Antonio Williams' only carries of Saturday's game came on one of the biggest drives of UNC's win over South Carolina. (Jenna Miller, THI)

Jacob Turner

Tar Heel Illustrated

CHARLOTTE - North Carolina found itself in a familiar position with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter of Saturday’s season opener versus South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium.

Trailing 20-9, things weren’t looking good for the Tar Heels and momentum was firmly in the Gamecocks’ hands. The Heels had been behind before, almost too many times to count over the past two seasons, but that didn’t matter on this day. This was a completely new team looking to create its own identity.

“We got rid of last year a long time ago,” sophomore wide receiver Dyami Brown said.

Pinned on their own 2-yard-line to start the drive, senior running back Antonio Williams, who had only touched the ball once through nearly three quarters, found himself in the backfield with UNC starting its fourth possession of the second half before exploding for a 20-yard run to give the Tar Heels breathing space.

After a Sam Howell 10-yard completion to Dazz Newsome on the following play, Williams was called on again and answered, this time rushing for a nine-yard gain to put UNC on its own 41.

Williams then rambled for 22 more yards to put the Tar Heels on the South Carolina 37. The Heels were moving and the New London, NC, native was their sudden catalyst.

Brown following his TD that may not have happened without Williams' runs. (Jenna Miller, THI)

“Antonio, he’s a great leader, I wouldn’t want anybody else to give us a spark but him,” sophomore running back Javonte Williams said. “The way he trains and prepares, he’s one of the hardest workers on the team and we can always rely on him in the time when we need.”

The Ohio State transfer had done his part gaining 53 yards on four attempts on the drive that was eventually capped by a one-handed touchdown catch by Brown. Howell’s two-point conversion run cut the margin to 20-17.

Despite Brown’s heroics, it was the senior running back in Williams that first took advantage of his opportunity when given the chance and helped lead the Tar Heels on that game-changing 95-yard drive.

“Just him being a leader, stepping up to the plate and running the ball like he does and us blocking for him, lineman blocking for him, it’s just big,” Brown said.

It might only be the first game of a long season, but UNC found a way to win and it all started because of Williams’ efforts near the end of the third quarter.