Freshman running back Michael Carter and redshirt freshman quarterback Chazz Surratt each rushed for two touchdowns as North Carolina overwhelmed host Old Dominion 53-23 for its first victory of the season Saturday at Foreman Field in Norfolk, Va.
Sophomore running back Jordon Brown also scored twice, while Surratt threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Austin Proehl.
The Tar Heels (1-2), who entered this nonconference game with two losses to start the season for the first time since 2010, bolted to a 39-7 halftime lead for their second romp in two all-time meetings with the Monarchs, an FCS team that dropped to 2-1.
Surratt, who started the game despite missing the second half a week earlier in a loss to Louisville with a hip injury, directed the offense until the fourth quarter. He completed 16 of 24 passes for 257 yards without an interception.
Surratt scored on a 3-yard run and a 10-yard run for North Carolina‘s first two touchdowns.
Brown, who rushed for 125 yards on 17 carries, had scoring runs of 15 and 5 yards.
Carter finished with 67 yards on 13 carries, scoring on a 3- and 1-yard runs.
Old Dominion didn’t often dent the Tar Heels’ much-maligned defense until the outcome no longer seemed in question. The Monarchs’ first-half points came courtesy of Isaiah Harper’s 100-yard kickoff return after North Carolina built a 25-0 advantage.
Steven Williams threw a 71-yard touchdown pass to Travis Fulgham and an 18-yard touchdown pass to Hasaan Patterson.
North Carolina has won its road opener for the third year in a row.
